40 Shades of Lent by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Tuesday in the First Week of Lent, 28 February 2023 Isaiah 55:10-11 <'[[[[>< +++ ><]]]]'> Matthew 6:7-15
Praise and glory to you, O God our loving Father! Thank you for this wonderful gift of Lent, of being so close to us, consoling us in our pains and disappointments, assuring us of your love and most especially of your plans for us! Help us to be more open to your coming, to your presence, to your words.
Thus says the Lord: Just as from the heavens the rain and the snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:10-11
Your Son Jesus Christ taught us to call you Father, Abba, for indeed, you are a Father to us who taught us how to walk and stand and fight in this life; as a Father, you are so loving and caring, ready to rescue us in times of distress; let us come to you, call you, and to listen to you; let us rediscover the beauty and value of silence this Lent so we would hear and learn your plans for us because there is no need for us to speak to you as you know very well our thoughts; what matters is that we hear and learn your plans for us!
May we "look to you, O Lord, so we may be radiant with joy in the midst of our brokenness and rise from our crushed spirits" (Ps. 34:6, 19) in order to bring your loving assurance and consolation to those burdened and lost like us. Amen.
