Reflections on Scripture | Saturday of the First Week of Lent

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus said to his disciples:
"You have heard that it was said,
You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies,
and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father,
for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,
and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?
Do not the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brothers and sisters only,
what is unusual about that?
Do not the pagans do the same?
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Reflection

Perfection. A seductive invitation often of the ego to be as perfectly in line with what you think you ought to be, or what the culture thinks you ought to be. But I want you to focus on an image in this reading of being not perfect in the sense of the culture in the world, but being perfect children of your Heavenly Father.

And that means that you are born with the destiny of becoming like your father. What does it mean to be like our father?

The Closing Prayer

Closing Prayer. Father, keep us humble. Meaning being honest with who we are and what we're called to do. And be there always, as a father who longs for his child to grow into who he believes them to be. Amen.

Reflections Archives

Kyle Cross