The Hidden Room of Our Hearts

Ash Wednesday

Take heed that you do not your justice before men, to be seen by them: otherwise you shall not have a reward of your Father who is in heaven. Therefore when thou dost an almsdeed, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honoured by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But when thou dost alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth. That thy alms may be in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee. And when ye pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, that love to stand and pray in the synagogues and corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men: Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But thou when thou shalt pray, enter into thy chamber, and having shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee.

And when you fast, be not as the hypocrites, sad. For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But thou, when thou fastest anoint thy head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not to men to fast, but to thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret, will repay thee.
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father it's nice to know that I will always be a child in your eyes, where I can go to my secret and hidden room to spend loving moments with you. Jesus taught us to pray to you this way. It's a way I have always prayed to you so no one would know those moments I've silently slipped into the secret room of my heart. I wonder if others also go to their secret room and pray while the days activities take control of their lives. It is refreshing to spend silent moments talking with you and giving you my concerns of the moment, but one thing I never concerned myself was being repaid for the time I spend with you dear Father. Nor should I seek it when I spend time with others and do your Will. I do things out of love for you and love for my neighbor. I am nothing but you are everything to me and as I said at the beginning, I will always be a child in your eyes, I will always find you in the very hidden depths of my heart.

Memorial of Saint Anthony, abbot

They watched Jesus closely to see if he would cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him.
Mark 3:2

Reflection:
We tend to do this with our neighbors, not the neighbors that live next door to us, but those we associate with on a daily basis or for some those passing by. We watch them to see what they are doing, and for some to report every move they make. We are like the Pharisees, ready to condemn when someone is not up to par.

The Pharisees were judging Jesus and Jesus went one better and did what God wanted of him. He healed a person of their infirmity. Because Jesus was doing something that was not in line with the law yet was, he was taken to task for it. He was doing good on the Sabbath.

When we are doing something good and right, how often others seek our destruction out of jealousy. Were the Pharisees then self-centered to the point that they were jealous of Jesus because he knew the law better than they did. That his doing good was what he and we are supposed to be doing.

Do we go about our day looking to condemn our neighbor because they are doing good and we are not. Is this why we act like the Pharisees? Only God knows our hearts, let us all strive to imitate Jesus and do good always.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Advent Prayer

Lord God, may we, your people, who look forward to the birthday of Christ experience the joy of salvation and celbrate that feast with love and thanksgiving. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.
Luke 1:45

Reflection:
How truly blessed Mary is, because she is the first to have believed in what was spoken to her by the Lord. That is why she is spotless and filled with such love for God and her Son.

Do we have this type of faith to believe in what God tells us in his Holy Word made flesh. In this I say Jesus for he was made flesh for us to know God. He was born of a virgin who was chosen to fulfill God's plan and will for her.

What do we do in our day to listen to God's word and to keep Jesus alive in our hearts. Do we attend Mass where he is alive waiting for us to see him with eyes of faith. Can we imitate Mary in this regard, she was the first after all to hold within her womb the Word made flesh.