Saturday after Ash Wednesday (2)
In our call out culture we love to point the finger as happened to Jesus when he ate with tax collectors and sinners. But Jesus ate with anyone who seemed a seeker, Pharisee or tax collector. He listened and spoke to their heart so that, as in the first reading, they would repent. Thus we must listen to sinners, be involved with sinners, hoping to find where they are sick and bring healing. Then it will not be them inviting Jesus to their tables, but Jesus inviting them to his.
Title
Outline
The “pointing finger” is characteristic of our society
Jesus in our gospel was “called out”
Sisters, avoid “the accusing finger and malicious speech”
Readings
FIRST READING
Isaiah 58:9b–14
9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer,
you shall cry for help, and he will say: “Here I am!”
If you remove the yoke from among you,
the accusing finger, and malicious speech;
10 If you lavish your food on the hungry
and satisfy the afflicted;
Then your light shall rise in the darkness,
and your gloom shall become like midday;
11 Then the LORD will guide you always
and satisfy your thirst in parched places,
will give strength to your bones
And you shall be like a watered garden,
like a flowing spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people shall rebuild the ancient ruins;
the foundations from ages past you shall raise up;
“Repairer of the breach,” they shall call you,
“Restorer of ruined dwellings.”
13 If you refrain from trampling the sabbath,
from following your own pursuits on my holy day;
If you call the sabbath a delight,
the LORD’s holy day glorious;
If you glorify it by not following your ways,
seeking your own interests, or pursuing your own affairs—
14 Then you shall delight in the LORD,
and I will make you ride upon the heights of the earth;
I will nourish you with the heritage of Jacob, your father,
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
RESPONSE
Psalm 86:11ab
11 Teach me, LORD, your way
that I may walk in your truth,
single-hearted and revering your name.
PSALM
Psalm 86:1–6
1 A prayer of David.
Incline your ear, LORD, and answer me,
for I am poor and oppressed.
2 Preserve my life, for I am devoted;
save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; 3 be gracious to me, Lord;
to you I call all the day.
4 Gladden the soul of your servant;
to you, Lord, I lift up my soul.
5 Lord, you are good and forgiving,
most merciful to all who call on you.
6 LORD, hear my prayer;
listen to my cry for help.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Ezekiel 33:11
11 Answer them: As I live—oracle of the Lord GOD—I swear I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! Why should you die, house of Israel?
GOSPEL
Luke 5:27–32
27 After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” 28 And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. 29 Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. 30 The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. 32 I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”
Notes
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2022 | LENT
SATURDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY
YEARS 1 & 2 | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY
First Reading Isaiah 58:9b–14
Response Psalm 86:11ab
Psalm Psalm 86:1–6
Gospel Acclamation Ezekiel 33:11
Gospel Luke 5:27–32