Friday after Ash Wednesday: Daily Lenten Meditations

Come and See

There was joy in the Heart of Jesus. There was welcoming love in the words that fell from His lips in reply to the question of His new-found disciples. They had been won by His irresistible charm and, longing for closer acquaintance, had asked with childlike simplicity: “Master, where do You live?” We can almost see the light of gladness sparkling in the eyes of Jesus as He hears the question. We can almost catch the note of eager hope in His reply as, turning again and leading the way along the path He had been traveling, He bids His new-won followers: “Come and see.”

“Come and see.” If only we would do so! If only, with the wisdom of Andrew and John, we, too, would heed the invitation of the Master and follow along the path He travels before us until we find at last where He dwells.

“Come and see.” And where does He lead us? The path will hardly be the most alluring. Indeed, at times it will be drab and dreary. It will undoubtedly be steep in places, and rough and painful, too. It will turn sharply from the broad and noisy ways where worldlings revel and lead through solitary places where earth’s maddening cries are hushed and prayerful silence lingers; where childlike hearts glow warm with love’s pure fire and generous kindness breathes a native air; where self is lost in sacrifice for others and humble lowliness is honored guest.

Yes, such are the chosen spots where Jesus makes His dwelling. If I have failed at times to find Him perhaps it is because I have not sought Him there.

Jesus, Gentle Master, have mercy on us.

TODAY’S EPISTLE AND GOSPEL, Taken from the Angelus Press 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal

EPISTLE: Is. 58:1-9

The external works of penance such as prayer, fasting, almsgiving, which should be practiced during Lent, have no value in the sight of God unless they are accompanied by the spirit of interior sacrifice or self-denial.

Thus saith the Lord God: Cry, cease not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their wicked doings, and the house of Jacob their sins. For they seek Me from day to day and desire to know My ways, as a nation that hath done justice and hath not forsaken the judgment of their God: they ask of Me the judgments of justice: they are willing to approach to God. Why have we fasted, and Thou hast not regarded: have we humbled our souls, and Thou hast not taken notice? Behold in the day of your fast your own will is found and you exact of all your debtors. Behold you fast for debates and strife, and strike with the fist wickedly. Do not fast as you have done until this day, to make your cry to be heard on high. Is this such a fast as I have chosen, for a man to afflict his soul for a day? is this it, to wind his head about like a circle, and to spread sackcloth and ashes? wilt thou call this a fast and a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this rather the fast that I have chosen? loose the bands of wickedness, undo the bundles that oppress, let them that are broken go free, and break asunder every burden. Deal thy bread to the hungry, and bring the needy and the harborless into thy house: when thou shalt see one naked, cover him, and despise not thine own flesh. Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health shall speedily arise, and thy justice shall go before thy face, and the glory of the Lord shall gather thee up. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall hear; thou shalt cry, and He shall say: Here I am. For I, the Lord thy God, am merciful.

GOSPEL: Mt. 5:43-48; 6:1-4