Weekly Meditation
As we begin to live this first week of Lent the words of Isaiah the prophet caution us to remember the type of fast most acceptable to the Lord.
This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own...
If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; If you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; Then light shall rise from you in the darkness and the gloom shall become for you like midday. ( Is 58: 6-10)
Jesus affirmed these values by his teaching and by his life, death and resurrection. His core teaching is that we love one another as He loves us. Pray with loving attention during this week the opening prayer of the Mass for the 1st Sunday of Lent:
Father, through our observance of Lent, help us to understand the meaning of your Son's death and resurrection, and teach us to reflect it in our lives. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Bishop William R. Houck