Sunday 24 March Third Sunday in Lent

“Do you suppose these Galileans who suffered like that were greater sinners than any other? They weren’t.” (Luke 13:1-9)

To what do we owe chance?

Monday 25 March The Annunciation of the Lord

Lovely to have this beautiful feast in the middle of Lent. We are at the 10:30 Mass in the Cathedral.

The beautiful words at the end of the Magnificat:

“Let what you have said be done to me, and the Angel left her.” (Luke 1:26-38)

Tuesday 26 March

I feel guilty: I have given up absolutely nothing for Lent. I can’t be bothered – not even angered by five hundred hours of Brexit debate.

“Not seven, I tell you, but seventy seven.” (Matthew 18:21-35)

How many times do we forgive? Once, or not at all?

Wednesday 27 March

“Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.” (Matthew 5:17-19)

A demanding passage, but view it as an injunction to keep trying rather than to be overcome by a sense of failure.

Having met with Orthodox Jews at the inaugural meeting of the Values Foundation, they have been teaching their children their faith for five thousand years. I am one of just twenty-one to vote against compulsory relationships and sex education.

Thursday 28 March

“He who is not with me is against me. And he who does not gather with me scatters.” (Luke 11:14)

Is this a command to be with him always? So easy to say – so difficult to do.

Friday 29 March

“You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” (Mark 12:28-34)

This is what we would all like to hear. Can we live a life to make it happen?

Saturday 30 March

The village church is locked all day, so I just read Universalis.

“I thank you God that I am not grasping, unjust, adulterous, like the rest of mankind, and particularly that I am not like this tax collector here.” (Luke 18:9-14)

Are we too often like that?

Sunday 17 March Second Sunday in Lent

I am at the large church near the Place Victor Hugo in Paris. I have Universalis so I can follow the readings.

“The Lord is my light and my help. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life. Before whom shall I shrink?”

Monday 18 March

No time today in Paris to go to Mass, but I can read Universalis.

“Do not treat us according to our sins, O Lord.”

Tuesday 19 March St Joseph’s Day

Mass in St Joseph’s Chapel. Lovely to have the Mass in Latin with the priest facing away.

“Behold a faithful and prudent shepherd whom the Lord set over his household.”

Wednesday 20 March

A swim in the Serpentine and then some breakfast but back in time for Mass.

“Anyone who wants to be great among you must be your servant and anyone who wants to be first among you must be your slave.”

Thursday 21 March

I go to the 10:30 Mass.

“Test me, O God, and know my thoughts. See that my path is not wicked and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Friday 22 March

“But his brothers came to hate him [Joseph] so much that they could not say a civil word to him.” (Genesis 37)

It’s strange how hatred can grow from anything, even a father’s love for a son.

Saturday 23 March

I have a short time in the 10:30 sung Latin Saturday morning Mass – the most beautiful of the week. Why did we ever give it up? A little gem in the middle of London.

Sunday 10 March 1st Sunday in Lent

“I will give you all this power and the glory of these kingdoms.” (Luke 4:1-13)

How and why do we strive for power or influence or recognition? How difficult to give Jesus’s answer: You must worship the Lord your God and serve Him alone.

Monday 11 March

“I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:31-46)

Isn’t this the most difficult injunction of all? Do we visit the sick, those in prison?

Tuesday 12 March

I go to Mass and think on today’s psalm: “The Lord rescues the just in all their distress.”

I think all those who come forward to take communion should be welcomed whatever their state of mind.

“I sought the Lord and He answered me. From all my terrors He set me free.”

Wednesday 13 March

I go to our Mass in the crypt.

“Remember your companion, O Lord, and your merciful love, for they are from of old.” (Entrance Antiphon)

Thursday 14 March

“O Lord, give heed to my sighs. Attend to the sound of my cry, my king and my god.”

I have sent off my letter to the Holy Father in which I ask for zero tolerance of clerical abusers. We will see what answer we get.

Friday 15 March

“If you, O Lord, should mark our guilt, who would then survive?”

Saturday 16 March

I read a psalm in our village church. KJV because that is in the Book of Common Prayer they have there. But here it is in modern speak: “They are happy whose life is blameless, who follow God’s law. They are happy who do His will, serving Him with all their hearts.” (Psalm 118)

3 March 2019 – Eighth Sunday Ordinary Time

We are at Mass in the Mass House at Osgodby, just three of us and Father Robert sings it in Latin for me, facing the altar.

In a shaken sieve the rubbish is left behind. So too the defects of man appear in his tail. (Ecclesiasticus 27, 5)

Monday 4 March

I am at Mass in the Cathedral at 10.30.

“Go and sell everything you own and give the money to the poor.”

This is what we are supposed to concentrate on but I prefer this phrase: “Jesus looked steadily at him and loved him.” (Mark 10:17-27)

He loves our lack of will and imperfections.

Tuesday 5 March

I go to Mass in the Cathedral.

“The Lord became my protector. He brought me out to a place of freedom. He saved me because he delighted in me.” (Entrance Antiphon)

I write a letter to the Pope – not something one does every day – and I imagine he gets rather too many letters.

Ash Wednesday 6 March

I go as usual to the 5:30 Mass in the Cathedral. There are various distractions. I worry if I am in someone’s seat but nothing can take away from Allegri’s Miserere. It’s lovely that Ben and Theo come to Mass.

As the priest says this is like any other 5:30 Mass just a little busier. Or is it?

“Sound the trumpet in Zion. Order a fast. Proclaim a solemn assembly.”

Friday 8 March

“Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?” (Matthew 9)

I think on my poor fasting!

Saturday 9 March

“It is not those who are well who need the doctor, but the sick.” (Luke 5:22)

It is good to think on this when debating who should receive communion.