1.3 Sat 3rd Lent (David)
Hos 6,1-6; Psalm 51; Luke18,9-14

Let us strive to know the Lord. Hos 6,3

The prophets words apply to us Christians too. While we are often keen to do "good", we don't always have time "to know the Lord"! Knowing him is not only to know that he exists, but to experience his love. Love that is forgiveness, mercy and a giving of oneself. Knowing him is knowing that he acts and has always acted.

2.3 Sun 4th Lent Year A (Henry Suso)
1 Sam 16,1,4,6-7, 10-13; Psalm 23; Eph 5,8-14; John 9,1-41

While I am in the world I am the Light of the world. John 9,5

Lord Jesus, you are still the light of the world and you will be until the end of time. Your Spirit, your word, the sacraments which you entrusted to the Church will always be a light and safe guide to your sheep; and they too, will be a light for the world.

3.3 Mon 4th Lent (Cunegund)
Isa 65,17-21; Psalm 30; John 4,43-54

Will none of you ever believe without seeing signs and portents? John 4,48

Our faith in the Lord is often so weak that if we do not constantly have signs and further confirmation we are not able to trust in him. The Holy Spirit gives us the gift of belief in the words of Jesus, just as in the case of the officer in today's gospel reading. Let us remember the many signs of his love that Jesus has given us in the past.

4.3 Tues 4th Lent (Casimir)
Ezek 47,1-9; Psalm 46; John 5,1-3,5-16

Do you want to get well? John 5,6

"I have no-one …" replied the cripple; Jesus looked at him with love and his love made up for the solitude and his poverty. Thank you, Lord Jesus, that every person, even the poorest and the loneliest is loved and cared for by you! You respond miraculously to every need!

5.3 Wed 4th Lent (Eusebius of Cremona)
Isa 48,8-15; Psalm 145; John 5,17-30

The Lord consoles his people. Isa 49,13

Lent is a time of conversion, of recognising how far we are from God, of recognising our shortcomings. But it is also a time to experience the goodness of the Father, his mercy, his care, his consolation for our tears of repentance.

6.3 Thurs 4th Lent (Chrodegang of Metz)
Exod 32,7-14; Psalm 106; John 5,31-47

I rely on a testimony higher than John's. John 5,36

Let us renew our faith in Jesus today. We do not want to forget the things he did in the name of the Father and that are reported in the gospels or what he has done for us in showing to the eyes of our spirit that he loves us and that he is helping us to find fullness of life in the arms of the Father.

7.3 Fri 4th Lent (Perpetua, Felicity and their companions)
Wisdom 2,1.12-22; Psalm 34; John 7,1-2.10,25-30

The Jews were looking for a chance to kill him. John 7,1

Lord Jesus, when your time came, you went to a death you did not deserve. You were like a gentle lamb in the hands of men, who for no reason, hated you. Even in the moments of your worst suffering, you saw only the Father's love for us and his desire to save us: he did it through you, through the unity of your love.

8.3 Sat 4th Lent (John of God)
Jer 11,18-20; Psalm 8; John 7,40-53

Surely the Messiah is not to come from Galilee? John 7,41

Christ was to come from God; he came from God and became man in Galilee. If I study God, his mysteries and his projects with my reasoning alone, I will never be able to understand: I must add the humility of faith to my intelligence.

9.3 Sun 5th Lent (Frances of Rome)
Ezek 37,12-14; Psalm 130; Rom 8,8-11; John 11,1-45

"I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God…" John 11,27

Easter is close and with it, the most beautiful and profound moments on our walk of faith. Together with Martha, Lazarus' sister, we will repeat today and next week from the reality of our experience: "I believe that you are Christ, the Son of God"… and because I believe, I offer you any suffering today; because I believe I observe my physical and moral weakness with serenity; because I believe I find the courage to repeat in the depths of my being "Father", as you taught me.

10.3 Mon 5th Lent (Forty Martyrs)
Dan 13,1-9,15-17,19-30,33-62; Psalm 23; John 8,1-11

Whoever is without sin let him throw the first stone. John 8,7

Lord Jesus, how simple and yet profound is your wisdom, and full of mercy and salvation! Even those who are trying to catch you out like the Pharisees and Scribes who brought to you the adulteress, had to recognise this and let her go free. Even for my sins, Lord Jesus, you have a solution: I come to you in trust!

11.3 Tues 5th Lent (Sophronius)
Num 21,4-9; Psalm 102; John 8,21-30

I am going away. You will look for me. John 8,21

The Jews with whom Jesus was talking had not recognised or seen in him the Messiah, the long awaited Saviour: thus they lost this opportunity for true life. Jesus comes to us every day: we must learn to recognise and welcome him so as to be with him and experience heaven on earth now and here.

12.3 Wed 5th Lent (Maximilian)
Dan 3,14-20,46-50,91-92,95; Dan 3,52-56; John 8,31-42

Everyone who commits a sin is a slave. John 8,34

This is the slavery all men have in common. Thanks be to God that he gave us Jesus to free us from this slavery and give us true freedom; freedom to live according to his love and no longer enslaved by our egoism. This is true freedom.

13.3 Thurs 5th Lent ((Euphrasia)
Gen 17,3-9; Psalm 105; John 8,51-59

If anyone obeys my teaching he will never taste death. John 8,52

When we obey Jesus' teachings, we live the true life that comes from heaven, from the Father; life that is fullness of love and of joy, life that generates more life, life that does not taste death. I will turn to Jesus and welcome him and live his teachings: this will be my "work" today and every day of my life.

14.3 Fri 5th Lent (Matilda)
Jer 20,10-13; Psalm 18; John 10,31-42

To you I have committed my cause. Jer 20,12

For several months I was weighed down by a difficult situation. Just when things seemed the worst, I read these words in Jeremiah and with resignation, but also relief, I trusted everything to Jesus saying: "Your know everything, Jesus. I will leave it to you! I accept whatever you want! In next to no time, not only did something change, but everything was resolved!"

15.3 Sat 5th Lent (Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
II Sam 7,4-5,12-14,16; Psalm 89; Rom 4,13,16-18,22; Matt 1,16,18-21,24

And you shall give him the name Jesus. Matthew 1,16

Joseph was Mary's husband and Jesus' father and he named his son according to God's will. Joseph carried the great responsibility of being "the heavenly Father's shadow" for Jesus: such a big responsibility that only someone truly humble could accept it.

16.3 Palm Sunday Year A
Matt 21,1-11; Isa 50,4-7; Psalm 22; Phil 2,6-11; Matt 26,14-27,66

Stay awake and pray that you may be spared the test. Matt 26,41

Perseverance in praying that Jesus will give us the grace to remain faithful to him, is what will give us the strength to follow him with joy at first to Jerusalem and then with determination and love to Calvary. There, together with him, we will be able to offer up our lives into the hands of the Father. And then we will also experience his Resurrection!

17.3 Holy Monday
Isa 42,1-7; Psalm 27; John 12,1-11

" Leave her alone!" said Jesus, "let her keep it for the day of my burial." John 12,7

We too would like to anoint Jesus' feet with precious, perfumed oil in this Holy Week, just like Mary, Lazarus' sister. We can do it in participating in the celebrations the Church offers us, in dedicating time and energy to prayer, to listening, to singing praises both together with others or in silence before the Lord: He is worthy of it; he is the only one who gave himself to save us!

18.3 Holy Tuesday
Isa 49,1-6; Psalm 71; John 13,21-33,36-38

I shall appoint you a light to the nations. Isa 49,6

You too, Lord Jesus, became man and gave the Father continuous acts of faith, in particular, during the holy days of your passion: betrayed by those close to you, delivered up to death and derision, in your heart you kept the certainty alive that from your moment of darkness the Father would have brought forth light for all mankind.

19.3 Holy Wednesday
Isa 50,4-9; Psalm 69; Matt 26,14-25

The Lord God is my helper, therefore, no insult can wound me. Isa 50,7

The Lord Jesus was assisted by the Father and by the Holy Spirit in his suffering so that the most difficult moments of his mission on earth were spent in love like a true Son. We remember his constant prayer in the Garden of Olives: "Father!" Keeping close to the Lord, we too, will have the strength to follow him to the end, to the heavenly father.

20.3 Holy Thursday
Exod 12,1-8,11-14; Psalm 116; 1 Cor 11,23-26; John 13,1-15

He loved them to the end. John 13,1

You, Lord Jesus, Son of God who came to live among us, gave us an example of how to live a simple, humble life, in service, in love and in communion. You lived among your disciples like a father with his children, like a good brother. This was the task the Father gave you and you fulfilled it to the end, even when it was difficult and cost you your life. Thank you, Jesus, my teacher and my Lord.

21.3 Holy Friday
Isa 52,13 - 53,12; Psalm 31; Heb 4,14-16; 5,7-9; John 18,1-19,42

It was our afflictions he was bearing, our pain he endured. Isa 53,4

Today Lord Jesus, we contemplate the mystery of your Cross. Accept our humble love, our silent, poor but sincere gratitude; keep us close to you. You paid the price of our salvation: what we should have endured, you took upon yourself. You love us and we adore you Lord Jesus!

22.3 Holy Saturday

The righteous rejoice in the Lord. Psalm 64

The silence of Holy Saturday is rich in meaning; Psalm 64 helps us consider Jesus' meeting with the Fathers, the Righteous of the Old Testament. In the times in which we live, our moments of "death" can be visited by him and changed into "resurrection". I love you, Lord Jesus, my true life, hidden and eternal!

23.3 Easter of the Resurrection of the Lord Year A
Acts 10,34,37-43; Psalm 118; Col 3,1-4 (or 1 Cor 5,6-8); John 20,1-9 (or Matt 28,1-10)

While it was still dark, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. John 20,1

Sometimes I too, go to Jesus with darkness in my heart and no hope, resigned to finding everything the same, just as happens to all of us. But God can surprise us, as he surprised Mary of Magdala! God resurrects his son from the dead! And he can give us new life too! Hallelujah, Hallelujah!

24.3 Easter Monday
Acts 2,14,22-32; Psalm 16; Matt 28,8-15

Suddenly Jesus was there in their path, greeting them! Matt 28,9

The joy of the women who met the risen Jesus while leaving the empty tomb, reminds us of moments in which, despite keeping our sights on Jesus we go through a time of trials and darkness and then we experience once again, even more profoundly, his presence, full of love and caring. Hallelujah!

25,3 Easter Tuesday
Acts 2,36-41; Psalm 33; John 20,11-18

"Why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?" John 20,15

With these words the Lord Jesus wishes to dry our tears too: we are looking for him, who loved us; now he is risen and lives for ever by the Father: our tears do not trouble the peace and joy in the depths of our heart.. Hallelujah!

26.3 Easter Wednesday
Acts 3,1-10; Psalm 105; Luke 24,13-35

Stay with us for evening approaches. Luke 24,29

Lord Jesus, you died and rose again so that we could be with you always and delight in your company. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being with me every time I have called you in my "dark evenings": light in my darkness, refresher of my weariness, peace to my worries. Hallelujah!

27.3 Easter Thursday
Acts 3,11-26; Psalm 9; Luke 24,35-48

Look at my hands and feet. It is I, myself! Luke 24,39

Yes, the risen Jesus is the same Jesus whom we contemplated in agony on the cross and who gave his life and suffered the nailing of his hands and feet and the lancing of his side to give us the Love of the Father. For this, our joy is full and very great: he who loved us so very much is still alive and with us! Hallelujah!

28.3 Easter Friday
Acts 4,1-12; Psalm 118; John 21,1-14

Friends, haven't you caught anything? John 21,5

It was dawn; the apostles had fished through the night in vain. "Friends, haven't you caught anything?" the risen Jesus asks from the beach: they didn't recognise him, but they soon feel the presence of the Lord: only he knows how to love and comfort and encourage them in that way! I love you, Jesus; you are unique to me too! I know you live and love me fully! Hallelujah!

29.3 Easter Saturday
Acts 14,13-21; Psalm 118; Mark 16,9-15

He reproached them for their incredulity. Mark 16,14

Jesus' resurrection was almost too wonderful for the disciples to believe. And yet it came from the Lord, so it could not be other than true! Lord Jesus may I be ready to sing "hallelujah" and every joyful, hopeful news, of the victory of your love that you will bring to me in many different ways.

30.3 Sunday 2nd PT "of Divine Mercy" Year A
Acts 2,42-47; Psalm 118; 1 Peter 1,3-9; John 20,19-31

Jesus came and stood among them. John 20,19

We Christians have learnt from when we were young to love communion; at least once a week on Sunday, we meet together like a big family. We don't come together just to please each other, but because there, where we are together, the Lord comes and is with us. He gives us the strength to testify and to love each other.

31.3 Mon The Annunciation of the Lord
Isa 7,10-14; Psalm 40; Heb 10,4-10; Luke 1,26-38

Here I am, oh God, I have come to do your will! Heb 10,7

These words spoken both by Jesus and Mary at the beginning of their mission show the true and intimate similarity between Mother and Son: this we can appreciate particularly today as we celebrate the Annunciation. I see with joy this same similarity in many today; Thank you, Lord, for all of them, but especially for that young friend who has been attending Seminary for two years now: he loves and obeys the Father's will and the Son of God grows in him.

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