Home Bible Gospel of Matthew CATHOLIC MASS: Friday after Ash Wednesday – 2.20.15 – TV Videos, Links, Scripture

CATHOLIC MASS: Friday after Ash Wednesday – 2.20.15 – TV Videos, Links, Scripture

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“Bible-200… 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. ….”

 

Mass Readings 2.20.15 – FIRST READING: Isaiah 58:1-9A – PSALM 51:3-4, 5-6AB, 18-19 – GOSPEL: Matthew 9:14-15 – Find a Mass: MassTimes.org – Find a Mass: TheCatholicDirectory.com – AUDIO: Friday, Feb. 20, 2015 Daily Mass Readings

 

 

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GOSPEL

GOSPEL: Matthew 9:14-15

When the Disciples of John the Baptist ask Jesus why His Disciples do not fast, Jesus responds that, while they are not fasting while He is with them, the time to fast will come.

Jesus answered … ‘Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.’

At the same time, recall that Jesus’ teachings and example with regard to fasting varied. Jesus Himself fasted in the desert. And there was at least one instance where Jesus commented that a particular type of demon could only be cast out with prayer and fasting.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

PSALM 51:3-4, 5-6AB, 18-19

A heart contrite and humbled, O God, You will not spurn.

FIRST READING

FIRST READING: Isaiah 58:1-9A

The Prophet Isaiah recalls how God exhorted and commissioned him to speak out strongly against the sins and wickedness of the people.

Interestingly, the people actually sound as if they recognize that God exists, and they want something from Him, yet still they embrace wickedness.

Thus says the Lord GOD: Cry out full-throated and unsparingly, lift up your voice like a trumpet blast; Tell My People their wickedness, and the house of Jacob their sins. They seek me day after day, and desire to know my ways, Like a nation that has done what is just and not abandoned the Law of their God; They ask me to declare what is due them, pleased to gain access to God. …

God does not want fasting that fails to produce conversion, holiness and progress along the Journey of Discipleship. He wants fasting that embraces penitence and humility.

Lo, on your fast day you carry out your own pursuits, and drive all your laborers. Yes, your fast ends in quarreling and fighting, striking with wicked claw. Would that today you might fast so as to make your voice heard on high! Is this the manner of fasting I wish, of keeping a day of penance: That a man bow his head like a reed and lie in sackcloth and ashes?

Indeed, God wants fasting to bear fruit as mercy, such as lifting the yoke of oppression, sharing with the hungry and providing shelter to those who need it.

… 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. ….

Those who embrace holiness through acts of mercy will, themselves, be healed and receive God’s Divine Aid.  Their light shall break forth like the dawn.

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; Your vindication shall go before you, and the Glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, you shall cry for help, and He will say: Here I AM!

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