Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Isaiah,
Chapter 41, verse 5
The
coastlands see, and fear; the ends of the earth tremble: they approach,
they come on.
Even the coastlands will be able to recognize Christ
says the prophet Isaiah. Yet, Christ was rejected by the Jews. Our loving God
knew Israel would become full of hubris and haughtiness and forget the
commandments that He enjoined them, and they needed a savior.
Let us NOT be like the Angels of God who fell from
heaven by an act of pride and rebellion by refusing to honor Mary the Mother of
God. Let us be like unto Gabriel who on announcing the conception of Christ
said to Mary:
Let us this day emulate Christ’s mother and ours: Mary
and never weary of union with Christ through the most Holy Eucharist. This day
try to spend some time in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.
Prayer. GRANT, we beseech Thee, Almighty
God, that the dignity of human nature, wounded by intemperance, may be reformed
by healthful abstinence.
EPISTLE.
Daniel iii. 34-45.
In those days Azarias prayed to the
Lord, saying: O Lord our God, deliver us not up forever, we beseech Thee, for
Thy name s sake, and abolish not Thy covenant. And take not away Thy mercy from
us for the sake of Abraham Thy beloved, and Isaac Thy servant, and Israel Thy
holy one: to whom Thou hast spoken promising that Thou wouldst multiply their
seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand that is on the seashore. For we, O
Lord, are diminished more than any nation, and are brought low in all the earth
this day for our sins. Neither is there at this time prince, or leader, or
prophet, or holocaust, or sacrifice, or oblation, or incense, or place of
first-fruits before Thee, that we may find Thy mercy: nevertheless, in a
contrite heart and humble spirit let us be accepted. As in holocausts of rams,
and bullocks, and as in thousands of fat lambs: so let our sacrifice be made in
Thy sight this day, that it may please Thee: for there is no confusion to them
that trust in Thee. And now we follow Thee with all our heart, and we fear
Thee, and seek Thy face. Put us not to confusion, but deal with us according to
Thy meekness, and according to the multitude of Thy mercy. And deliver us
according to Thy wonderful works, and give glory to Thy name, O Lord: and let
all them be confounded that show evils to Thy servants, let them be confounded
in all Thy might, and let their strength be broken. And let them know that Thou
art the Lord, the only God, and glorious over all the world, O Lord our God.
GOSPEL.
Luke vii. 36-50.
At
that time one of the Pharisees desired Him to eat with him. And He went into
the house of the Pharisee, and sat down to meat. And behold a woman that was in
the city a sinner, when she knew that He sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house,
brought an alabaster box of ointment: and standing behind at His feet, she
began to wash His feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head,
and kissed His feet, and anointed them with the ointment. And the Pharisee, who
had invited Him, seeing it, spoke within himself, saying: This man if He were a
prophet, would know surely who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth Him:
that she is a sinner. And Jesus answering, said to him: Simon, I have somewhat
to say to thee. But he said: Master, say it. A certain creditor had two debtors:
the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And whereas they had not
wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which therefore of the two loveth him
most?
Simon
answering said I suppose that he to whom he forgave most. And He said to him:
Thou hast judged rightly. And turning to the woman, He said unto Simon: Dost
thou see this woman?
I
entered into thy house, thou gavest Me no water for My feet: but she with tears
hath washed My feet, and with her hairs hath wiped them. Thou gavest Me no kiss:
but she, since she came in, hath not ceased to kiss My feet. My head with oil
thou didst not anoint but she with ointment hath anointed My feet. Wherefore I
say to thee: Many sins are forgiven her, because she hath loved much. But to
whom less is forgiven, he loveth less. And He said to her: Thy sins are
forgiven thee. And they that sat at meat with Him began to say within themselves:
Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
And
He said to the woman: Thy faith hath made thee safe: go in peace.
Lenten
Calendar[3]
Read:
The Servant Songs,
Day Four:
(Within the Book of the Prophet Isaiah we encounter
four poetic sections known as the Songs of the Suffering Servant. The specific
identity of this Servant of the Lord remains the topic of scholarly debate.
Perhaps it refers to the prophet Isaiah himself, perhaps the entire nation of
Israel, or possibly the promised Messiah. Christian faith sees these prophetic
utterances fulfilled in the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus
the Lord.
Because of the Christian identification of the
Suffering Servant with Jesus, the four Servant Songs become a way of
encountering the Lord during this Lenten Season. Not only do they give us a
sense of the commitment and endurance that characterized his messianic
ministry, but they become a way of touching the bruised face of the Messiah, of
hearing the resolute determination that sustained him in the midst of trial,
and of rejoicing with him in God’s
ultimate vindication of his calling and service.)
The
fourth song proclaims the salvific value of the Servant’s innocent suffering
that will justify many and blot out their offenses.
Pray:
Take time with the
fourth Servant Song today. Read from Isaiah 52:13 to Isaiah 53:12.
Act:
Here the prophet
proclaims the “prosperity” of God’s servant, but it is not a worldly
prosperity accomplished through human wisdom. “Who would believe what we have heard?” God’s silent and afflicted servant
prospers through a life given to God as an offering for sin. Through suffering,
the servant acquires great wealth and “offspring” before God: many are justified
before God, iniquity is removed, wounds are healed, and sinners receive an
intercessor. The servant prospers in what is true wealth to God.
World
Autism Awareness Day seeks to raise awareness of the autism spectrum disorders
and improve the lives of those currently living with autism. Autism refers to a
lifelong brain development disorder that affects social interactions, learning,
routines and communication. It is estimated that approximately 1% of the global
population
is autistic. World Autism Awareness Day was designated by the United Nations
in 2007 in an effort to end stigmatization and discrimination against those with autism. World Autism Day is
celebrated annually on April 2nd and fits in with the UN's Agenda for
Sustainable Development, which promises to leave no one behind.
World Autism Awareness Day Facts
& Quotes
·
Autism
now affects 1 in 68 children
and 1 in 42 boys. Boys are 5 times more likely to have autism than girls.
·
Autism
costs a family $60,000 a year on average.
·
35
% of young adults (aged 19-23) with autism have not had a job or received
postgraduate education after leaving high school.
·
Who
do you think made the first stone spears? The Asperger guy. If you were to get
rid of all the autism genetics, there would be no more Silicon. – Temple
Grandin, world-renowned Autism spokesperson and university professor.
World Autism Awareness Day Top
Events and Things to Do
·
Wear
blue in order to support World Autism Day. The color blue is internationally
recognized as a symbol of support for World Autism Day and it is accompanied by
the catchphrase wear blue, April 2.
·
Watch
a movie about autism such as Fly Away, Sounding the Alarm and The
Story of Luke.
·
Light
up your home or your business in blue like many famous buildings or monuments
worldwide. There are many ways you can do this. It can be as simple as putting
blue plastic over floodlights to project the color blue on your home. You can
also use a blue Phillips light bulb, which can be bought at Home Depot.
·
Get
active on social media by taking a picture of yourself wearing blue and posting
it using the hashtags #LIUB (Light it up Blue), #WorldAutismAwarenessDay,
#WAD and #autism. You can also turn your profile photo blue on social media by
putting a blue frame
over it.
·
Take
part in an Autism Speaks Walk that raises money for the cause. You can gather a
team and walk in support of someone you know with autism or simply donate, walk
and enjoy the day with thousands of others.
Daily
Devotions
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