Today we have reached the eleventh day of our Lenten itinerary, which prepares us throughout these forty days for the great Feast of the Resurrection of the Lord. Today we will continue to develop the theme of the fight against vices. Read More
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LENTEN ITINERARY | Day 10: The struggle against gluttony
Yesterday we reflected on the passage of the purification of the Temple, and then applied it to our “inner temple,” which also requires purification.
At the beginning of our “Lenten itinerary” I quoted the prayer of St. Nicholas of Flüe, the first part of which said, “My Lord and my God, detach me from everything that distances me from You.” This affirmation synthesizes the so-called “purgative way” in the spiritual journey. Read More
LENTEN ITINERARY | Day 9: The Purification of the Temple
Having heard in yesterday’s reading how the “wrath of the Lord” because of the wickedness of the City of Nineveh was appeased by the penitence of its inhabitants, so that the punishment did not fall on them, it is fitting that today we meditate on the passage of the purification of the Temple (Mt 21:12-13), which was the Gospel of the Traditional Mass two days ago. Read More
LENTEN ITINERARY | Day 8: The Conversion of Nineveh
Following the lectionary of the Novus Ordo, today’s reading tells us the story of Jonah and the city of Nineveh (Jn 3:1-10). Its inhabitants were converted and consequently exempted from the punishment that would have befallen them.
Let us take this passage of Holy Scripture to heart during our Lenten journey and try to bring it up to date. Read More
LENTEN ITINERARY | Day 6: Shepherds for the sheep
The reading read today at the Traditional Mass (Ez 34:11-16) is preceded by the Lord’s accusation against the shepherds of Israel: “For lack of a shepherd they have been scattered, to become the prey of all the wild animals; they have been scattered.” (v. 5). There were no shepherds left to tend the flock. Those who had been appointed only shepherded themselves (v. 8). Read More
LENTEN ITINERARY | Day 5: “Rejecting the devil”
Among the various adversities and attacks that we face on our journey, it is fitting that, on this holy itinerary, we should specifically take into consideration the lurking of the devil. Today’s Gospel describes them in the temptations of Jesus in the desert (Mt 4:1-11).
He proceeds systematically in seducing man. He uses his God-given intelligence to deceive man and make him dependent on him. Read More
LENTEN ITINERARY | Day 4: “Serenity in adversity”
Marked with the cross of ashes, we advance on this holy Lenten journey towards deeper conversion. With fasting we provide good wood for the fire of love and in everything we keep our gaze fixed on God, without seeking the praise of men. Read More
LENTEN ITINERARY | Day 3: Do everything with your eyes fixed on the Lord
The Gospel presented to us today in the lectionary of the Traditional Mass offers us important warnings for our holy journey towards the Feast of the Resurrection.
Having set out, marked with the cross of ashes, determined to deepen our conversion and to integrate fasting as an important aid on the spiritual journey, the Lord warns us today in the Gospel of an inclination that we must overcome with His help:
“Be careful not to parade your uprightness in public to attract attention; otherwise you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven” (Mt 6:1). Read More
LENTEN ITINERARY | Day 2: Wood for the fire of love
The holy journey of Lent also includes – whenever possible – bodily fasting and the renunciation of certain things.
In doing so, we exercise ourselves in an asceticism that is beneficial for the spiritual life. If practised properly, the words of one of the Lenten Prefaces become a reality:
“For through bodily fasting you restrain our faults,
raise up our minds, and bestow both virtue and its rewards,
through Christ our lord.” Read More
Blessed Henry Suso’s advice for the spiritual life
Today we are celebrating the memory of Blessed Henry Suso, who is perhaps less well known in the universal Church than in the German-speaking countries. He is a reliable spiritual teacher, and we know how much we are in need of spiritual teachers in these times, which unfortunately are becoming more and more scarce. Therefore, it becomes all the more important to let speak and listen to those teachers who have been given to the Church and who are part of her incorruptible treasure. Let us listen, then, to one of Blessed Henry Suso’s phrases for today’s meditation:
“A serene man must not occupy himself at all times with what he still lacks; rather, he must ask himself what else he could do without.” Read More