SECOND WEEK OF LENT
SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ MARCH 20, 2025
MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN NEPOMUCENE, PRIEST AND MARTYR; SAINT PHOTINA, THE SAMARITAN WOMAN, MARTYR AND SAINT CUTHBERT OF LINDISFARNE, BISHOP AND MISSIONARY | Daily Saints and Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Greetings, and blessings, beloved family, and Happy Thursday, Second Week of Lent!
May God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of our Lenten journeyđ
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary | EWTN” | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/20/catholic-daily-mass-17/
DAY 14: LENTEN PRAYERS AND REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/20/day-14-lenten-prayers-and-reflections/
WORLD PRAYERS FOR POPE FRANCIS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/02/26/world-prayers-for-pope-francis/
PRAYER FOR POPE FRANCIS: May we all unite as one voice to lift up the Vicar of Christ in prayer, during this time of his hospitalization after a prolonged respiratory crisis. We thank God as his health continues to improve and we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis’ speedy recovery and Godâs Divine healing and intervention.
Almighty God, we thank you for the loving service of Pope Francis and the hope he has inspired in so many in Your great mercy. Have mercy on him in his illness now, we pray, and guide the medical staff in his care. Grant him peace and healing. Through Christ our Lord. Amenđđ˝
LENT: | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/03/lent/
STATIONS OF THE CROSS | A JOURNEY WITH CHRIST | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/03/stations-of-the-cross/
THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/03/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/
Todayâs readings call us to unwavering faith and love for God, it beautifully reflected in the lives of Saints John Nepomucene, Photina, and Cuthbert. Like Saint John, who chose martyrdom rather than betray the sacred seal of confession, we are reminded that true love for God requires fidelity and sacrifice. Saint Photina, the Samaritan woman, encountered Christ at the well and was transformed, leaving behind her past to proclaim the Gospel. Her story reflects our own Lenten journeyâan invitation to conversion and renewal. Saint Cuthbertâs life of prayer, humility, and missionary zeal teaches us that holiness is found in obedience to Godâs call, no matter where it leads.
As we continue through Lent, Jesus reminds us of the greatest commandment: to love God with all our heart and to love our neighbor as ourselves. True love is not selective but is a response to Godâs boundless mercy. The first reading assures us that obedience brings life and blessings, while the Gospel calls us to a love that transforms. Do we, like these saints, surrender completely to Godâs will? Do we seek true conversion? May their example inspire us to embrace Lent as a season of purification, trusting in Godâs grace to lead us into deeper love and holiness. Amen. đđ˝
Wishing us all a love-filled and spiritually enriching Lenten journey. Amen. đđ˝
PRAYER FOR THE VICTIMS OF NATURAL DISASTER: We join our Holy Father, Pope Francis to pray for the people of BahĂa Blanca, in Argentina, affected by the recent floods the area is suffering. We specifically pray for those who have lost their lives due to this natural disaster and their families and all those who are missing and displaced from their homes. May the good Lord grant them all peace and comfort during this challenging time.
On this special feast day, as we continue our Lenten journey, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, particularly Saint Joseph, Patron of the dying, we pray for the sick and dying and all those who mourn the loss of their loved ones and celebrate their memorial anniversary today. We pray for our loved ones who have recently died, for the victims of the recent flood in Argentina and we continue to pray for the repose of their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen đđ˝ âď¸đŻâď¸đŻâď¸đŻ
“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their abors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13
PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen đđ˝
THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCISâ MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH – For families in crisis: Let us pray that broken families might discover the cure for their wounds through forgiveness, rediscovering each otherâs gifts, even in their differences. (https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)
Pray “Holy Rosary for Peace with Pope Francis” | “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries | Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/holy-rosary-for-peace-with-pope-francis/
Please find below links to the websites for Daily Reflections, Foundation and interesting topics and articles about our Catholic faith and doctrines | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/daily-reflections-and-prayer-links/
DAILY SAINTS AND REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint John Nepomucene, Priest and Martyr; Saint Photina, the Samaritan Woman, Martyr; and Saint Cuthbert of Lindisfarne, Bishop and Missionary. These holy men and women, through their lives of faith, sacrifice, and devotion, continue to inspire us on our journey toward holiness.
Saint John Nepomucene, known as the “Martyr of the Confessional,” remained steadfast in his commitment to the seal of confession, even in the face of persecution and death. His unwavering fidelity reminds us of the sacredness of our faith and the courage required to defend truth.
Saint Photina, the Samaritan woman who encountered Christ at the well, was transformed by His words and became a fearless evangelist. Her story teaches us the power of conversion and the call to share the Gospel with joy.
Saint Cuthbert of Lindisfarne, a humble bishop and missionary, embodied both deep contemplation and active service. His life of prayer and charity encourages us to seek intimacy with God while serving those in need.
Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and these holy saints, we pray for the grace to remain faithful in trials, to proclaim Christ boldly, and to embrace a life of humility and trust in God’s providence. May we, like them, surrender to God’s will, live with courageous love, and bear witness to His truth in our daily lives.
Saint John Nepomucene, Saint Photina, and Saint Cuthbert ~ Pray for us. đđ˝
We thank God for His mercy and the gift of faith. May this Lenten season lead us to deeper conversion, greater love, and unwavering trust in His divine will. Amen. đđ˝
PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:
Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!
A PRAYER FOR PEACE: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true King of peace. In You alone is found freedom. Please free our world from conflict. Bring unity to troubled nations. Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart. Dispel all darkness and evil. Protect the dignity of every human life. Replace hatred with Your love. Give wisdom to world leaders. Free them from selfish ambition. Eliminate all violence and war. Glorious Virgin Mary, Saint Michael the Archangel, Every Angel and Saint: Please pray for peace. Pray for unity amongst nations. Pray for unity amongst all people. Pray for the most vulnerable. Pray for those suffering. Pray for the fearful. Pray for those most in need. Pray for us all. Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear our prayers. Jesus, I trust in You! Amen đđ˝
Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/
A PRAYER TO WALK HUMBLY THROUGH LENT: Father, In Micah 6:8, You say, âO people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.â Today we choose to walk humbly with You. We choose to live by Your Holy Spirit and to follow Your lead. Help us to hear You clearly, for we do not want to walk by pride or self-sufficiency, we want to walk with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen đđ˝
God of goodness and mercy, hear my prayer as I begin this Lenten journey with you. Let me be honest with myself as I look into my heart and soul, noticing the times I turn away from you. Guide me as I humbly seek to repent and return to your love. May humility guide my efforts to be reconciled with you and live forever in your abundant grace. Transform me this Lent, heavenly Father. Give me the strength to commit myself to grow closer to you each day. Amen đđ˝
LENTEN FAST AND ABSTINENCE (Lenten Fast and Abstinence regulations from the USCCB): Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.
For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards
Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are to observe the particular law of their own sui iuris Church. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the âpaschal fastâ to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily His Resurrection. đđ˝
SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN NEPOMUCENE, PRIEST AND MARTYR; SAINT PHOTINA, THE SAMARITAN WOMAN, MARTYR AND SAINT CUTHBERT OF LINDISFARNE, BISHOP AND MISSIONARY: FEAST DAY ~ MARCH 20TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint John Nepomucene, Priest and Martyr (Patron Saint of confessors and for a good confession; against calumnies or slander; against floods; against indiscretions; bridges and bridge builders; for discretion and silence); Saint Photina, the Samaritan woman, Martyr; and Saint Cuthbert of Lindisfarne, Bishop and Missionary. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the forgiveness of sins, the conversion of sinners, and for all Christians during this sacred season of Lent.
Saint John Nepomucene, Saint Photina, and Saint Cuthbert ~ Pray for us. đđ˝
Saint(s) of the Day | March 20th | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
SAINT JOHN NEPOMUCENE, PRIEST AND MARTYR: St. John Nepomucene (1345-1393) also known as St. John of Nepomuk was a Saint of Bohemia born John WĂślflein or Welflin, in Nepomuk, Bohemia, in 1345, Saint John used the name of his native town for his surname instead of his family name. In his early childhood, John Nepomucene was cured of a disease through the prayers of his good parents. In thanksgiving, they consecrated him to the service of God. He studied theology and law at the University of Prague and was eventually ordained a priest. After John was ordained, he was sent to a parish in the city of Prague. He became a great preacher, and thousands of those listened to him changed their way of life. In time, he became vicar general of Archbishop John of Genzenstein at Prague.
In 1393, King Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia, wishing to found a new bishopric for one of his favorites, ordered that at the death of the present abbot of Kladrau Abbey, no new abbot should be elected and that the abbey church should be turned into a cathedral. The archbishop and John thwarted the kingâs plan by approving the election of a new abbot immediately on the death of the old one. Upon hearing this, Wenceslaus fell into a violent rage and had the vicar-general and several cathedral officials thrown into prison. John was tortured by having his sides burnt with torches, but even this could not move him. An additional reason for Johnâs violent death may be because of the tale that is traditionally told about him: Father John was invited to the court of Wenceslaus IV. He settled arguments and did many kind deeds for the needy people of the city. He also became the Queenâs confessor. When the King was cruel to the Queen, Father John taught her to bear her cross patiently. One day, the King asked the Saint to tell what the Queen had said in confession. When he refused, he was thrown into prison. A second time, Father John was asked to reveal the Queenâs confession. âIf you do not tell me,â said the King, âyou shall die. But if you obey my command, riches and honors will be yours.â Again Father John vehemently refused to break the seal of the confessional. He was tortured. Finally, on March 20, 1393, the king ordered him to be put in chains and led through the city with a block of wood in his mouth. His martyrdom was complete when he was then thrown from a bridge into the Moldau River at Prague. A strange brightness is said to have appeared above the spot where he drowned; because of this St. John of Nepomucene is often portrayed in art with seven stars above his head. For this reason, St. John is also called the âMartyr of the Confessionalâ and is sometimes pictured with his finger to his lips. He was canonized in 1729 by Pope Benedict XIII and is honored as a Patron Saint of Bohemia and of confessors.
PRAYER:Â God, we praise You for the grace You granted to St. John to offer his life in defense of the seal of confession. Grant that, through his prayers, we may use the Sacrament of Penance often and with profit. Amenđ
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Almighty and merciful God, who brought your Martyr blessed John Nepomucene to overcome the torments of his passion, grant that we, who celebrate the day of his triumph, may remain invincible under your protection against the snares of the enemy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amenđ
SAINT PHOTINA, THE SAMARITAN WOMAN, MARTYR: The holy Martyr Photina (1st Century) was the Samaritan GodWoman, with whom our Saviour conversed at Jacobâs Well (John 4:5-42). Her name means âenlightened oneâ. St Photina was later martyred for Christ, together with her sons and her sisters, during the persecution of Christians by the Roman emperor Nero. In both Greek and Roman tradition, she preached and converted many to Christianity, including her family and Neroâs daughter. At that time St Photina was living in Carthage (the modern Tunis), where she fearlessly preached the Gospel together with her younger son Joses. Her older son Victor was in the Roman army. After the war, Victor was appointed military commander of Attalia, where he converted many people to Christianity. When Nero was informed that St Photina and her sons were preaching Christianity, he ordered them to come to Rome to be tried. St Photina arrived in Rome with her five sisters â Anatola, Phota, Photis, Paraskeva and Kyriake. They all awaited martyrdom, as they had been told of it in advance by our Lord Jesus Christ. Nero ordered all of them to be brutally tortured, especially St Photina, but the saints did not feel any pain and remained unharmed. The holy martyrs Victor and Joses were put in prison, and St Photina and her five sisters were sent to the imperial court under the supervision of Neroâs daughter Domnina. Many people visited the saints in prison and were baptized by them.
Hearing all this, Nero ordered the saints to be crucified upside down, beaten and then left to hang for three days. On the fourth day, when the emperorâs servants came to check the martyrs, an angel of God came down from heaven, untied the martyrs, and made them completely well. The servants immediately believed in Christ and were baptized. When Nero found out about this, he ordered the martyrs be severely tortured. When St Photina was urged to make a sacrifice to the idols, the saint spit in the emperorâs face and laughed at him. She was thrown into a well, where she finally gave up her soul to God. The emperor ordered all the other martyrs including her sons Joseph and Victor, her sisters along with several other Christians to be beheaded. She died a martyrâs death and is thought of as equal to the Apostles. They were included in the Roman Martyrology by Cardinal Cesare Baronius owing to the widely held view that the head of Photina was preserved in the church of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls.
PRAYER: By the well of Jacob, O holy one, thou didst find the Water of eternal and blessed life; and having partaken thereof, O wise Photina, thou went forth proclaiming Christ, the Anointed One. Help us to follow your example, and through our lives bring glory to the Lord and believers to the ChurchâŚ.Amenđ
SAINT CUTHBERT OF LINDISFARNE, BISHOP AND MISSIONARY: St. Cuthbert of Lindisfarne (634-687 A.D.) was born in North Northumbria, present-day Scotland to in about 634, in the same year in which Aidan founded the monastery on Lindisfarne. He came from a well-to-do English family and like most boys of that class, he was placed with foster-parents for part of his childhood and taught the arts of war. We know nothing of his foster-father but he was very fond of his foster-mother, Kenswith. According to history, he was brought up as a Christian. He was credited, for instance, with having saved by his prayers, some monks who were being swept out to sea on a raft. There is some evidence that, in his mid-teens, he was involved in at least one battle, which would have been quite normal for a boy of his social background. His life changed when he was about 17 years old. He was looking after some neighbour’s sheep on the hills. Gazing into the night sky he saw a light descend to Earth and then return, escorting, he believed, a human soul to Heaven. The date was August 31st 651AD – the night that Aidan died. Perhaps Cuthbert had already been considering a possible monastic calling but that was his moment of decision. He went to the monastery at Melrose, also founded by Aidan, and asked to be admitted as a Novice. For the next 13 years he was with the Melrose monks. When Melrose was given land to found a new monastery at Ripon, St. Cuthbert went with the founding party and was made guestmaster. In his late 20s he returned to Melrose and found that his former teacher and friend, the prior Boisil, was dying of the plague. St. Cuthbert became prior (second to the Abbot) at Melrose.
In 664AD the Synod of Whitby decided that Northumbria should cease to look to Ireland for its spiritual leadership and turn instead to the continent the Irish monks of Lindisfarne, with others, went back to Iona. The abbot of Melrose subsequently became also abbot of Lindisfarne and Cuthbert its prior. St. Cuthbert seems to have moved to Lindisfarne at about the age of 30 and lived there for the next 10 years. He ran the monastery; he was an active missionary; he was much in demand as a spiritual guide and he developed the gift of spiritual healing. He was an outgoing, cheerful, compassionate person and no doubt became popular. But when he was 40 years old he believed that he was being called to be a hermit and to do the hermit’s job of fighting the spiritual forces of evil in a life of solitude. After a short trial period on the tiny islet adjoining Lindisfarne he moved to the more remote and larger island known as ‘Inner Farne’ and built a hermitage where he lived for 10 years. Of course, people did not leave him alone – they went out in their little boats to consult him or ask for healing. However, on many days of the year the seas around the islands are simply too rough to make the crossing and St. Cuthbert was left in peace. At the age of about 50 he was asked by both Church and King to leave his hermitage and become a bishop. He reluctantly agreed. For two years he was an active, travelling bishop as Aidan had been. He seems to have journeyed extensively. On one occasion he was visiting the Queen in Carlisle (on the other side of the country from Lindisfarne) when he knew by second sight that her husband, the King, had been slain by the Picts doing battle in Scotland. Feeling the approach of death he retired back to the hermitage on the Inner Farne where, in the company of Lindisfarne monks, he died on March 20th 687AD. His body was brought back and buried on Lindisfarne. Miracles were reported at his grave; in fact, so numerous were the reported miracles that St. Cuthbert was called the “Wonder-worker of England.” Throughout the Middle Ages the shrine of Cuthbert remained one of the most popular places of pilgrimage in northern England
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PRAYER: Merciful God, who called Cuthbert from following the flock to be a shepherd of your people: Mercifully grant that we also may go without fear to dangerous and remote places, to seek the indifferent and the lost; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amenđ
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:
Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Thursday of the Second Week of Lent | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading/
Today’s Bible Readings: Thursday of the Second Week of Lent, March 20, 2025
*Reading 1, Jeremiah 17:5-10
*Responsorial Psalm, Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
*Gospel, Luke 16:19-31
Gospel ~ Luke 16:19-31
“Good things came to you and bad things to Lazarus; now he is comforted while you are in agony”
“Jesus said to the Pharisees: âThere was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich manâs table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, âFather Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.â Abraham replied, âMy child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.â He said, âThen I beg you, father, send him to my fatherâs house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.â But Abraham replied, âThey have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.â He said, âOh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.â Then Abraham said, âIf they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.ââ
In todayâs Gospel reading, the parables Jesus tells are intended to make us think and reflect. In the parable, two people lived side by side, a rich man in his great house and a poor man at the gate of the house. These two men were from very different ends of the social spectrum, one very rich and the other very poor. Even though they lived in close proximity to each other, there was a great gulf between them. The rich man treated the poor man as if he was not there, as if he did not exist, even though he was only a short distance away. He refused to notice him. His failure was a failure to notice, to pay attention, and, having done so, to respond to the poor manâs needs. We donât always notice one another; we donât always pay attention to one another. Even though we can be physically close to people, there can be, in reality, a great gulf between us. If we fail to notice, to pay attention, the reality that we have ignored for so long can suddenly hit us in the face, as happened to the rich man in the parable. After death, he was suddenly confronted with what he had ignored for so long. Noticing others, paying attention to them, entails stepping out of our own world and attending to the world of the other, whoever that other happens to be. It could be someone in our own home. Being attentive, noticing, is one important expression of authentic love. In today’s Gospel, we are reminded that the little we can do can make an enormous difference in the lives of those in need. Lazarus would have been happy with the scraps that fell from the heavily laden table of the rich man. Those scraps would have made a huge difference to him. It was within the gift of the rich man to give Lazarus what he needed, but he didnât bother to do so. Very little was being asked of him, and that little would have made a huge difference, but he neglected to do the little he could have done. We all need to do the little we can do, whatever situation we are confronted with. We can never underestimate the power of our giving, even when what we give is very small. Jesus declares that those who give even a cup of cold water will not lose their reward. The parable challenges us to enter the world of the other and to allow the other to enter our world. That, in a sense, is what Jesus did; He entered our world and invited us to enter His world. We can do the same for each other. When we cross the threshold into the world of the other, into the world of those who are very different from us in all kinds of ways, we may discover that we not only have something to give the other but a great deal to receive as well.
Reflecting on the parable in todayâs Gospel, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man lived in luxury, while Lazarus, a poor beggar, suffered at his gate. After death, their fortunes reversedâLazarus found comfort in Abrahamâs bosom, while the rich man suffered torment. When the rich man begged for Lazarus to warn his brothers, Abraham responded that they already had Moses and the prophets to guide them, and if they did not listen to them, they would not be convinced even if someone rose from the dead. This parable is a striking reminder of how wealth and comfort can blind us to the needs of others. The rich man did not actively harm Lazarus, but his indifference sealed his fate. He ignored the suffering at his doorstep, failing to recognize that true riches lie in generosity and compassion. Even in torment, his concern for his brothers revealed his unchanged mindsetâseeking signs rather than heeding Godâs word. This mirrors the resistance of many who fail to recognize Jesus, even after His resurrection.
In our first reading today from the Book of the prophet Jeremiah, the fates of the righteous man and the wicked man were put plainly before everyone. The ones who have faith in the Lord and believed in Him shall always have the blessings and grace of God, with God as their firm foundation and assurance, with Him as their source of strength and hope. Meanwhile, the wicked shall never find their true happiness and satisfaction, unless they seek the Lord and turn towards Him wholeheartedly. We are all reminded that following the Lord requires us to distance ourselves from the path of evil and wickedness, of evil and selfishness, distancing ourselves from all the desires and temptations of the world. Prophet Jeremiah warns against trusting in human strength rather than in God. He contrasts the fate of those who rely solely on worldly security with those who trust in the Lord. The former are like barren bushes in the desert, spiritually dry and lifeless, while the latter are like trees planted by water, flourishing even in times of hardship. This ties into the Gospel messageâthose who trust in their wealth and power, neglecting faith and compassion, find themselves spiritually impoverished.
In our Responsorial Psalm today, the psalm reinforces the imagery of the blessed man as a tree planted by running water, nourished by the Lordâs word. Those who delight in God’s law will prosper, while the wicked will fade away like chaff in the wind. This invites us to reflect on where we root our livesâdo we seek security in temporary riches, or do we trust in the Lordâs enduring wisdom? Do we recognize the “Lazarus” figures in our livesâthe suffering, the marginalized, and those in need? Are we responding with love and generosity, or are we indifferent? Are we deeply rooted in Godâs word, drawing life from Him, or do we rely on fleeting worldly comforts?
Lord, open our eyes to see the needs of those around us. Help us to trust in You rather than in temporary riches. Make our hearts generous, that we may share what we have and live according to Your word. May we not wait for signs but respond to Your call in faith. Amen. Let us strive to be like the tree planted by water, flourishing in faith and bearing fruit in love. True wealth is found in a heart attuned to Godâs will, willing to serve and uplift others. May we never turn a blind eye to the suffering at our doorsteps, but instead, act with Christ-like compassion and generosity. đđ˝
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scripture today, we are all reminded of how our actions in this life in this world can have great consequences for us in the future, a consequence that can last for eternity. Let us all be more generous in giving, in giving our love for others around us, those who need our help, like what Saint John Nepomucene, Priest and Martyr; Saint Photina, the Samaritan Woman, Martyr; and Saint Cuthbert of Lindisfarne, Bishop and Missionary and all the Saints we celebrate today and many others have done. Let us not forget that as Christians, it is our calling and in fact, obligation to do what the Lord had always called on us to do, in serving Him and in loving our fellow men and women. As we continue to progress through this season of Lent, we are called to make a conscious effort to choose the right path for us before it is too late for us. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace to attend to those in need and may He continue to bless and guide us in our journey of faith, and help us through this blessed season and time of Lent that we may always ever be committed to Him, to the very end. Amen đđ˝
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF MARCH | MONTH OF ST. JOSEPH: The month of March is dedicated to St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus Christ. âHis was the title of father of the Son of God, because he was the Spouse of Mary, ever Virgin. He was our Lordâs father, because Jesus ever yielded to him the obedience of a son. He was our Lordâs father, because to him were entrusted, and by him were faithfully fulfilled, the duties of a father, in protecting Him, giving Him a home, sustaining and rearing Him, and providing Him with a tradeâ. âThis patronage must be invoked as ever necessary for the Church, not only as a defense against all dangers, but also, and indeed primarily, as an impetus for her renewed commitment to evangelization in the world and to re-evangelization,â wrote St. John Paul II in Redemptoris Custos (Guardian of the Redeemer). St. John Paul II further said, âBecause St. Joseph is the protector of the Church, he is the guardian of the Eucharist and the Christian family. Therefore, we must turn to St. Joseph today to ward off attacks upon the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and upon the family. We must plead with St. Joseph to guard the Eucharistic Lord and the Christian family during this time of peril.â
As the weeks of Lent progress let us not be tired of doing our good works and penance, but continue with the enthusiasm of the catechumens on their way to Easter and Baptism. May our Lenten observance be a joyful journey and not a forced march. đđ˝
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540
PRAYER INTENTIONS: As we reflect on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, we pray for hearts that are open to the suffering of others. May we never be indifferent to those in need but instead respond with love and generosity. This Lenten season, may we trust not in wealth or worldly comforts but in Godâs eternal wisdom and mercy. We also pray for those who feel abandoned or overlooked, that they may find hope in Christâs love. Joining Pope Francis in his March prayer intention, we pray for families in crisis, that they may experience healing, forgiveness, and unity.
Let Us Pray
My Lord of true riches, You chose to be poor in this world as a sign to us that true riches come not with material wealth but with love. Help me to love You, my God, with all my being and to love others as You love them. May I be wise enough to make spiritual riches my single goal in life so that these riches will be enjoyed for all eternity. Jesus, I trust in You đđ˝
Merciful Father, You call us to live with compassionate hearts, attentive to the needs of those around us. Free us from the temptation of selfishness and indifference, and plant our lives firmly in Your word. May we, like the tree by running water, bear fruit in love and justice, always seeking to serve rather than be served. Strengthen us on this Lenten journey, that we may walk in faith, generosity, and humility. Jesus, we trust in You. Amen. đđ˝
Save us Savior of the world. Our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Joseph, Saint John Nepomucene, Saint Photina, and Saint Cuthbert of Lindisfarne ~ Pray for us. đđ˝
May this Solemnity of Saint Joseph inspire us to live with unwavering faith, silent strength, and joyful obedience to Godâs will. May he watch over us and intercede for us always. May this Lenten season bring us deeper conversion, unwavering trust, and a heart open to God’s transforming love. Wishing us all a safe, blessed, grace-filled and fruitful Second Week of Lent. Amen. đđ˝
Blessings and Love always, Philomena đ