Lent: A time for renewing Faith, Hope and Love

Through recollection and silent prayer, hope is given to us as inspiration and interior light, illuminating the challenges and choices we face in our mission. Hence the need to pray (cf. Mt 6:6) and, in secret, to encounter the Father of tender love...

Jesus had already spoken of this hope when, in telling of his passion and death, he said that he would “be raised on the third day” (Mt 20:19). Jesus was speaking of the future opened up by the Father’s mercy. Hoping with him and because of him means believing that history does not end with our mistakes, our violence and injustice, or the sin that crucifies Love. It means receiving from his open heart the Father’s forgiveness.

Pope Francis - Lenten Message 2021.

Readings for 7th March

Reading I: Ex 20:1-17 

Responsorial Psalm 19:8,9,10,11

'Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.'

Reading II: 1 Cor 1:22-25        

Gospel: Jn 2:13-25  The cleansing of the temple

Image: Jesus drives the merchants from the temple by French artist, R Balze.

"Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." Jn 2:19

…  when he was raised from the dead, 
his disciples remembered that he had said this, 
and they came to believe the Scripture 
and the words Jesus had spoken. Jn 2:22