Lenten Reflection – 12 March – Tuesday of the First Week of Lent, C – Gospel Matthew 6:7–15
“Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”
St Pope Leo the Great (400-461)
Father & Doctor of the Church
“Those who wish to receive the Paschal feast of the Lord in holiness of mind and body should strive, above all, to win that grace which contains the summit of virtues and “covers a multitude of sins” (1 Pt 4:8). So at the point of celebrating the greatest of all mysteries, that with which the blood of Jesus Christ wiped out our iniquities, let us first of all prepare the sacrifice of mercy.
Thus we shall return to those who have offended us what the goodness of God has granted us. May insults be cast into oblivion, wrongs ignore torture from now on and all offences be set free from fear of reprisal!… If someone should detain such prisoners… may he fully understand that he himself is a sinner and, so as to receive forgiveness, let him rejoice that he has found someone to forgive. In this way, when we say, according to the Lord’s teaching: “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors” (Mt 6:12), we shall have no doubt that we receive God’s pardon as we formulate our prayer.”
Daily Meditation: Help us grow in our desire for you.
We are learning the intimate connection between the “discipline” we choose these days, and the growth of our desire. If our desire for our Lord is weak, if it has to compete with so many other desires that choke it out, then we need to re-form our desiring. We want to be disciples – those who love Jesus, are with Jesus in our desires, and choose to follow Jesus.
In today’s lesson we learn the Lord’s Prayer again. As children, we turn to our Loving Father in prayer.
“I shall know You, You who know me. Virtue of my soul, go deep into it and make it fit for You, so that You may have it and possess it, without stain or wrinkle.”
St Augustine (354-430)
Father & Doctor of the Church
Closing Prayer: Father of my soul, Mother of my heart, I know Your love for me is limitless beyond imagining. You care for me as a loving parent. Through my smallest Lenten sacrifices, help me to become less selfish and more aware of Your ways. Fan the flame of my desire to draw ever closer to You. Guide me to seek Your love.
May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen
“Your faith will grow, only in the measure, that you give it away.”
Bishop Robert Barron
(via Lenten Reflection - 12 March - "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" - St Leo the Great)
