On the evening of Palm Sunday Jesus returned to Bethany, but proceeded to Jerusalem on the next day. On his way, St Matthew relates that he was hungry. Most probably, Jesus had fasted the whole day before; and therefore, must have been greatly famished.
We know that Jesus frequently fasted, and the Holy Spirit no doubt especially mentions his hunger in this place to encourage those who imitate his example and suffer likewise. But it is the spiritual rather than the bodily hunger of our Lord that we should emulate.
St Mark wrote, “Seeing in the distance a fig-tree in leaf, he went to see if perhaps he might find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the time for figs.” (Mk 11:13)
This barren tree offers a striking image of the Jewish nation, whose religion consisted only in outward forms and blind adherence to the letter of the law, without imbibing its spirit or living the virtues it prescribed.
The fig-tree also is an image of weak and lukewarm Christians who neglect doing good works; and content with mere prayers and outward practices. How easily we may also fall into this state.
“And he said to it, ‘May no fruit grow on you henceforth forever!’ And the fig-tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it, they were amazed, saying, ‘How did the fig-tree wither at once?’” (Mt 21:19-20)
How much greater will be the sinner’s astonishment, surprised by death amidst his vain plans of future conversion, on hearing the words, “Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Mt 25:41); and finds his regrets useless, and the time for bringing forth works of penance lost forever!
Let this thought inspire us with zeal for conversion of sinners; and our own conversion and sanctification.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp745-7
Recourse to Our Blessed Mother
Sin, infidelity to a greater or lesser degree, always involves a denial of Christ and of the highest ideals he has sown inside us. Sin is the great downfall of man.
Thus, we must struggle with determination, counting on grace, so that we avoid all grave sins -- of weakness or malice -- and then all deliberate venial sin.But even from our sins, when we unfortunately commit them, we must draw advantage, because contrition strengthens the bond of friendship with Our Lord.
Heaven is full of repentant great sinners. Jesus always welcomes us and rejoices to see us back on the road we had abandoned, perhaps in trivial matters.
Linked to Christ, repentance becomes a joyous sorrow because a lost friendship is regained. Peter is instantly united to Our Lord and much closer than he had ever been, because of sorrow for his denials.
We need to awaken frequently in our hearts a sorrow born out of Love, for the sins we have committed especially on examining our conscience at the end of each day; and when we prepare for Confession.
“You who tend to lose heart, I will tell you something very consoling: when a person does what he can, God will not deny his grace. Our Lord is a Father, and if, in the silence of his heart, one of his sons says to him: ‘My Father in Heaven, here I am, help me ...’ If he goes to the Mother of God, ... our Mother, he will get through.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way of the Cross”, Tenth Station, 3)
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:254-5, 258
Remembrance and Challenge
Lent is remembrance. It reminds us of the way the Lord pointed out by His forty days’ fast at the beginning of his messianic mission.
It also reminds us -- at whatever point one may be on his earthly path -- one must detach oneself from the “threefold desires” (cf 1 Jn 2:16), “works of the flesh” (Gal 5:19), which “oppose the Holy Spirit” (Acts 7:51), and so leave room for “the fruit of the spirit” (Gal 5:22), by following Christ in prayer and fasting, so far as one is capable.
If, therefore, we feel ourselves to be in that unity with Christ which makes us remember the very name of Christian, we cannot admit that this exceptional period in the Church’s life does not stand out in some way in our lives ... Let us live the spirit of penitence better.
Let us remember that the Christ of Lent is above all the Christ who awaits us in every suffering person, He who urges us to love and judges according to what we have done for even one only of our weaker brethren.
Lent is therefore, not only remembrance, but also continual ‘challenge’. Entering into this period and living it in the spirit which the oldest and ever-living tradition of the Church transmits to us, means: opening up our consciences; letting Christ Himself open them for us with the word of His Gospel, above all with the eloquence of His Cross.
Lent is thus an exceptional occasion for saving ‘the inner being’ in each of us (cf Eph 3:16). He is often forgotten, yet he is created “in justice and holiness” (Eph 4:24) through the operation of the Sufferings and the Resurrection of Christ.
Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p114
Entering into Ourselves
The essential work of Lent -- conversion -- is performed in such interior intimacy with God. Words resound in that interior privacy and intimacy with God himself, in all the truth of one’s own heart and conscience.
Words such as those of the Psalmist, one of the profoundest confessions which man had ever made to God:
“Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. For I acknowledge my offense and my sin is before me always: Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight.” (Ps 51:1-6)
Let us recite these purifying words often during Lent. Let us above all seek to renew this spirit which enlivens them; that interior breath of life which has linked the power of conversion exactly with these words. ...
Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p140
Our Lady -- “Most Sweet Heart of Mary, prepare a safe way. Guide our steps on earth with strength and security. Become for us the path we are to follow, since you in your love know the way, a sure short-cut to the love of Jesus Christ.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 178)
Blessed Pedro Calungsod
A 14-year-old native of Cebu or Bohol who joined Spanish Jesuit missionaries to the Ladrones Islands as a catechist. On this day in 1672, two Chamorros killed them (in what is now Guam) for being Christians. Their bodies were thrown into the ocean. He was 17 years-old. Beatified in Rome on 5 March 2000. (“Manila Bulletin”, 2 February 2002)
• Our Lady the Great, at Poitiers, where is shown an image of the Blessed Virgin, in whose hands the keys of the city were miraculously found while the mayor’s servant was looking everywhere for them, to open the gates to the English, to whom he had promised to betray the city. — Jean Boncher, Annales d’Aquitaine. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady the Great. Poitiers, France. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady the Great. Poitiers, France. Orthodox icons. Church in Israel. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of the Highest Grace, Higuey, Dominican Republic (1506). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
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