One Walk

When: Thursday, February 21, 2008 12:00 AM to Friday, February 22, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).

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Words of Jesus

"Anyone among you who aspires to greatness must serve the rest."

Matthew 20:27

The home must be in accord with the Church, that all harmful influences be withheld from the souls of children. Where there is true piety in the home, purity of morals reigns supreme.

— St John Vianney

Abba, Father, Lord God, today's Lenten pray ask You to watch over Your Church, and guide it with Your unfailing love. Protecting us from what could harm us and leading us to what will save us. Help us always, for without You we are bound to fail. Yet what harms us most is 'us'; through our weakness of heart and failure to be obedient we fail You. Help me to understand and to find the way to walk in and with Jesus each moment. Meditating of the words of St. Louis de Montfort show me how to Deny myself while carrying my cross, how to follow Jesus Christ in every thought, word and act; for If I am ashamed of the Cross of Jesus Christ and fail His passion, how will He not be ashamed of me before You my Lord God, His Father. How does one learn to Love the Cross and Desire: crosses, contempt, pain, abuse, insults, disgrace, persecution, humiliations, calumnies, illness, injuries, unless Jesus prevails in their hearts and His Passion on the Cross prevails and is present in my mind and on my heart every moment. It is His Divine love Humility, Submission, Patience, Obedience that is my example: complete in me what we have begun in Jesus, help me be prompt in forgiving, joyful in all things, blind to the ways under the sun, persevering in likening my heart to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Thank you for awakening my spirit and for touching me this day, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Jeremiah 17:5-10<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Jer&ch=17&bv1=5&ev1=10>

5 Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his arm, whose heart turns away from the LORD. 6 He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. 7 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. 8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt; who can understand it? 10 "I the LORD search the mind and try the heart, to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings."

Psalm 1:1-4, 6<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Ps&ch=1&bv1=1&ev1=4&bv2=6&ev2=6>

1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff which the wind drives away. 6 for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Luke 16:19-31<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Luke&ch=16&bv1=19&ev1=31>

19 "There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Laz'arus, full of sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Laz'arus in his bosom. 24 And he called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Laz'arus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.' 25 But Abraham said, `Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Laz'arus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' 27 And he said, `Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, 28 for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' 29 But Abraham said, `They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' 30 And he said, `No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' 31 He said to him, `If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'"

Lenten Reflections<http://origin.ewtn.com/faith/lent/>

Pope Benedict XVI Encyclical Letter<http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html>

When: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 12:00 AM to Thursday, February 21, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).

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Words of Jesus

"… It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; 28 even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Matthew 20:26-28

What little love for God you have when you give in without a fight because it's not a grave sin!

— St. Josemaria Escriva

Abba, Father, Lord God, Father of light, in You is found no shadow of change but only the fullness of life and limitless truth. Open my heart to the voice of Your Word and free me from the original darkness that shadows my vision. Restore my sight that I may look upon Your Son who calls us to repentance and a change of heart, for He lives and reigns with You forever and ever. O Lord give me a servants heart and the wisdom and knowledge to know how, when and who You want me to serve. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Jeremiah 18:18-20<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Jer&ch=18&bv1=18&ev1=20>

18 Then they said, "Come, let us make plots against Jeremiah, for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not heed any of his words." 19 Give heed to me, O LORD, and hearken to my plea. 20 Is evil a recompense for good? Yet they have dug a pit for my life. Remember how I stood before thee to speak good for them, to turn away thy wrath from them.

Psalm 31:5-6, 14-16<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Ps&ch=31&bv1=5&ev1=6&bv2=14&ev2=16>

5 Into thy hand I commit my spirit; thou hast redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God. 6 Thou hatest those who pay regard to vain idols; but I trust in the LORD. 14 But I trust in thee, O LORD, I say, "Thou art my God." 15 My times are in thy hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors! 16 Let thy face shine on thy servant; save me in thy steadfast love!

Matthew 20:17-28<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Matt&ch=20&bv1=17&ev1=28>

17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death, 19 and deliver him to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day." 20 Then the mother of the sons of Zeb'edee came up to him, with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Command that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom." 22 But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?" They said to him, "We are able." 23 He said to them, "You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; 28 even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Lenten Reflections<http://origin.ewtn.com/faith/lent/>

Pope Benedict XVI Encyclical Letter<http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html>

When: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 12:00 AM to Wednesday, February 20, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).

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Words of Jesus

He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; 12 whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Matthew 23:12

Prayer is powerful beyond limits when we turn to the Immaculata who is queen even of God's heart.

— St. Maxamillian Kolbe

Abba, Father, Lord God, how grateful I am to know that on the days when I cannot find the words and focus my thoughts to pray for what is on my heart, You always find away to convict and enlighten me. As in the words of the Prophet Isaiah – Come now, let us set things right, says the Lord, and with the movie about David and in today's Lenten Reflection by Father Al Lauer:

If most problems come from unforgiveness, we can understand why Jesus emphasizes forgiveness to an extreme degree. When Peter suggested to Jesus that we should forgive seven times, he was correct. (Mt 18:21) Seven in the Bible stands for an indefinite number of times, so Peter was saying we should forgive indefinitely. This is the correct answer but not the correct emphasis. Jesus proclaims we should forgive "seventy times seven," indefinitely times indefinitely. (Mt 18:22) Jesus further emphasizes forgiveness by saying God's kingdom is a matter of forgiveness and those who do not forgive are handed over to torturers. (Mt 18:23, 34)

And when the disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray, Jesus told them to pray they be forgiven as they forgive. (Mt 6:12) This means prayer will hurt rather than help us if we do not forgive. This is the only point in the Lord's prayer on which Jesus commented. He reiterated: "If you forgive the faults of others, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours.

If you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive you." (Mt 6:14-15) Jesus insists on forgiveness. We must pass on the forgiveness He has given us by the shedding of His blood on Calvary.

O Lord God, Forgive my sins against the unity of your family; make me love as you loved me. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Isaiah 1:10, 16-20<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Is_&ch=1&bv1=10&ev1=10&bv2=16&ev2=20>

10 Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom! Give ear to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomor'rah! 16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, 17 learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow. 18 "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; 20 But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

Psalm 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Ps&ch=50&bv1=8&ev1=9&bv2=16&ev2=17&bv3=21&ev3=21&bv4=23&ev4=23>

8 I do not reprove you for your sacrifices; your burnt offerings are continually before me. 9 I will accept no bull from your house, nor he-goat from your folds. 16 But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to recite my statutes, or take my covenant on your lips? 17 For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you. 21 These things you have done and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you, and lay the charge before you. 23 He who brings thanksgiving as his sacrifice honors me; to him who orders his way aright I will show the salvation of God!"

Matthew 23:1-12<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Matt&ch=23&bv1=1&ev1=12>

1 Then said Jesus to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; 3 so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice. 4 They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by men; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, 7 and salutations in the market places, and being called rabbi by men. 8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ. 11 He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; 12 whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Lenten Reflections<http://origin.ewtn.com/faith/lent/>

Pope Benedict XVI Encyclical Letter<http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html>