March 21, 2011
Monday of the Second Week of Lent
We have not obeyed your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, our fathers, and all the people of the land. Justice, O Lord, is on your side; we are shamefaced even to this day: the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem, and all Israel, near and far, in all the countries to which you have scattered them because of their treachery toward you. Daniel 9:6-7
Be merciful, just as (also) your Father is merciful. Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:36-37
Piety
Cursillo Leaders' Prayer
Lord, grant that we may understand the necessity for depth in our movement, rather than surface glory. Convince us of the truth that colorful programs do not constitute success.
My God, give us a spirit of self sacrifice so that we may offer everything for your cause: our time, our abilities, our health and even our lives if necessary.
Instill in us courage in our initiatives, good judgment in our choice of the right means, and that determination which in spite of failures assures victory.
Move away from us the tiny rivalries, sensitivities, discourtesies, pride, everything which distracts from You, everything which divides or discourages.
Help us to maintain at a high level a meaningful supernatural and mutual charity among ourselves, so that each one will seek by preference the most humble tasks and will rejoice at the good performed by others so that all our spirits united in a common purpose will have one single sprit, Yours Jesus, and that this spirit may let us see Your attractive goodness marked in all our faces, Your warm accents in all our words, and in our lives something superior to the world, something that proclaims Your Living Presence among us. Amen
St. Paul, Patron of Cursillo - Pray for us.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patron of the Americas - Pray for us.
Study
How many times during our own church volunteering do we judge? How many times do we condemn? How many times are we not forgiving?
We have a gift, as Catholics, which no other Christian church offers. That gift is the sacrament of reconciliation. Through this outward sign of grace, Jesus brings us all home as Prodigal sons and daughters. Our reading from Daniel focuses on the shame of sin and disobedience. Yet, it acknowledges that justice is on the side of God, not on our side. Reconciliation is one way we can attain that justice no matter what our prior behavior.
Action
The only way to achieve this lofty, Christ-like end is for us to practice this “giving first” attitude. Oftentimes in Lent, we focus on what we will “give up.” Giving up is important because it takes something out of our lives that wastes time and makes room for God. However, just as important is what we do with that time, talent or treasure in lieu of the practice we give up. Try to add to your Lenten resolutions some new practice that you want to give up. Maybe forgiveness is a good place to start.
