Meditation - Two Sermons

March 6th - the Thursday after Ash Wednesday

Charity

Pope Leo the Great,  in a sermon, encouraged us to always but especially during Lent, to enter into ourselves and reflect and evaluate the attitudes of our minds and hearts.  Where we find the fruits of love - charity - we find God's presence within us.  The greater our acts of charity, the more room we create for God in our heart and presence in our life.

No act of devotion, like works of mercy and charity, gladdens the heart of the Lord more.  Where He finds charity, He finds his own fatherly care.

And never fear for a lack of means to show charity.  Paul tells us "He who provides seed for the sower will also provide bread for eating; he will provide you with more seed, and will increase the harvest of your goodness."

March 7th - the Friday after Ash Wednesday

Repentance

In a letter from Maximus the Confessor, we are reminded that God's will is to save us and nothing pleases Him more than our true repentance.

We are told that repeatedly down through the ages in stories and parables in the Bible:

• The Good Samaritan who comforted and cared for the man who was beaten and robbed on the road;
• The forgiveness of a father for a returning and  repentant profligate son;
• The one sheep that was lost and the shepherd who sought him out to save him;
• The many times God called out to His people, heard their calls as they strayed and then cried out for forgiveness and saving;

God always forgives.  He never turns His back on us though we may turn our backs on Him.

God calls us to reconciliation and forgiveness.  By accepting His yoke, we discover that our burdens are not heavier but are made lighter.