Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Fidelity Brings Life
Liturgical Cycle: A, B, C | Lectionary Cycle: I, II
Introduction
Faithfulness is not easy except if we are intensely committed to a person we love. If we are loyal, we share in the joys and trials of the other person and we never lose our serenity or basic happiness. This is also true in our relationship with God, which we live most intensely if we are strongly dedicated to Christ. We follow him in his passion to rise with him in joy. For if we are with him, even death brings life and happiness.
Opening Prayer
Lord, our God,
you love us and you invite us
to share in your own life and joy,
through a personal decision.
Help us to choose you and life
and to remain ever loyal
to this basic option
by the power of Jesus Christ, your Son,
who was loyal to you and to us,
now and for ever.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (40:5a) Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Alleluia Verse
Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
Repent, says the Lord;
The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
Prayers of the Faithful
– That God may give us every day the courage to follow him, also when the choice between good and evil is difficult, we pray:
– For the People of God, the Church, that we may have the insight and the bravery to accept the reform needed to be true to Christ, we pray:
– For the good people, who help others in their difficulties, that their good deeds may bring them closer to the Lord, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord, our God,
Jesus went the way of the cross
because he was loyal to you
whatever the cost.
May we be loyal with him
and accept crosses that come our way in life
without rebellion or discouragement.
May Christ give us this strength now,
that we may live with him for ever.
Prayer after Communion
Lord, our God,
by the strength of this Eucharist,
we return to our work and to people.
Help us to live our faith consistently,
as Christ wants us to live it,
without compromise or bargaining.
May Christ give us this strength
of being loyal to his person,
now and for ever.
Blessing
Those who accept the difficulties of life to serve God and people, “who lose their life for my sake,” as Jesus says, are taking up their cross and following Christ. May Almighty God bless them and us, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
REFLECTION:
Luke 9:22-25
Choice of life and death
At the beginning of the Lenten journey, the Church makes us reflect on the words of Moses and of Jesus. Moses tells the Israelites, "See, I have set before you this day life and good,death and evil": You have to choose. However, it's not easy to choose. It’s more comfortable to live by letting ourselves be carried by the inertia of life, situations, and habits.
Have you chosen your way of living? Is it on the side of life or on the side of death? Today, the Church is telling us to stop: “Begin Lent with small questions that will help one to consider: ‘What is my life like?’”
The first thing to ask ourselves is: “Who is God for me? How is my relationship with Jesus?" And the second: “How is my relationship with my family: with parents, siblings, wife, husband and children?" These two series of questions will surely help us find things that we need to correct.
We always want to win, we want to earn, we want to be successful. But Jesus challenges us: “What advantage does a man have who wins the whole world but loses or destroys himself?" The wrong path to follow is always chasing success and riches without considering the Lord or family.
Let us have faith in this Lord, who is with us and helps us to choosegood. Let us ask Him for the grace to be courageous because it takes a bit of courage to stop and ask myself: how do I stand before God? How are my relationships in the family? What do I need to change?
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Luke 9: 22-25
Take Up Your Cross and Follow Christ
Today, Jesus reminds us of a powerful truth: to be His disciples, we must take up our cross and follow Him. This is not just a call to endure suffering but an invitation to walk the path of love, trust, and transformation.
Suffering is part of life, but Jesus does not ask us to seek it or dwell in it. He teaches us that life has both joys and trials and that we must embrace each moment with faith. Some people live constantly in sorrow, focusing only on difficulties. But Jesus tells us that suffering is not the end—the cross leads to resurrection! Whatever hardship we face, we must go through it with courage, knowing that joy will come.
Following Christ means walking in His footsteps. He carried His cross, but He did not carry it alone—Simon of Cyrene helped Him. In the same way, we are called to bear one another’s burdens to strengthen ourselves in prayer, community, and service. Living in isolation makes the journey harder, but walking together makes the load lighter.
True happiness is found in seeking the things of Heaven. It is not just a destination but a daily journey of love, peace, and trust in God. At times, we are overwhelmed by worries, unsure of what to do. Jesus calls us to prioritise what truly matters, to let go of distractions, and to fix our eyes on Him.
May we take up our cross with faith, knowing that resurrection awaits. Let us entrust our journey to Christ and ask Him to guide our steps toward true joy and eternal life. Amen.