Thursday, third week of Lent

JMJ

Blessed Thursday!

Today we pass the halfway point between Ash Wednesday and Easter.
How are you doing on the journey?

We implore Your majesty most humbly, O Lord,
that, as the feast of our salvation draws ever closer,
so we may press forward all the more eagerly
towards the worthy celebration of the Paschal Mystery.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.
(Opening Prayer for today’s Mass)

Readings:
Jeremiah 7:23-28 (God’s chosen people are rebellious)
Psalm 95:1-9 “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts”
+Luke 11:14-23 (those who aren’t for Jesus are against Him)

We are God’s desert.

Trackless waste of “no”:
the stiffened necks, the God-turned backs,
the hardpan hearts that shed the rain
of prophesy.

Still, still He tries.
He comes Himself,
invades our wilderness.
Demons obey!
We don’t.

We try to cast Him out!
He stands His ground
(it is His, after all!).

He knows our hearts
with virile love.
He fights for us!
Our enemy, He overpowers.

He sounds His rallying cry:

Whoever is not with Me is against Me,
and whoever does not gather with Me scatters.
Luke 11:23

If today you hear His voice,
harden not your hearts!
-Psalm 95:7-8

Where in your life do you find yourself turning your back on God, trying to cast Him out?
Are you willing to let Him fight for you–and to gather with Him when He wins?
What helps your heart stay soft toward God?