3rd Week of Lent 2024 - Wednesday - The pure of heart shall see God

 In the Office of Readings this morning from the Liturgy of the Hours, there is a passage by a saint named Theophilus of Antioch. Theophilus was the sixth bishop of Antioch. Ignatius, our patron, was the third bishop.

Writing 30-40 years after Ignatius, bishop Theophilus has a famous letter to a pagan name Autolycus. And Theophilus is writing to his pagan friend in order to convince him to become Christian. Throughout the letter, Theophilus presents arguments and explanations to address Autolycus's doubts and objections regarding Christianity. He contrasts the moral teachings of Christianity with the vices and immorality prevalent in pagan society, urging Autolycus to embrace the moral teachings of Christ.

And Theophilus has this great quote, he writes, “If you say, 'Show me your God,' I will say to you, 'Show me what kind of person you are, and I will show you my God” Theophilus knows that striving for moral purity will help Autolycus come to grasp Christ. For Purity of heart enables us to more clearly apprehend truth and apprehend God. Jesus says, “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God”. 

This is why in our scripture readings today Moses and Jesus are both stressing the importance of following the law and following the commandments and teaching little ones to do the same. God desires that we come to behold his face. And that means striving for purity of heart.

Purity of heart involves adhering to God's commandments and living in accordance with His will. It includes refraining from sin and avoiding actions, thoughts, and attitudes that are contrary to God's standards of holiness. A pure heart fosters intimacy with God, allowing us to experience His presence. When we are in right relationship with God, our hearts are open to His love, guidance, and revelation.

"Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?” the Psalmist asks, “And who shall stand in his holy place? Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully."

Lenten repentance and Lenten prayer, fasting, and almsgiving all help us to cultivate that purity of heart God wants for us.

Beloved, as we continue our Lenten journey, let us renew our commitment to lives of profound holiness and integrity—to purity of heart. Through our words and deeds shining with the light of Christ, may all peoples come to know and follow Christ for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

- - - - -  

For the whole Christian people, that in this sacred Lenten season, they may be more abundantly nourished by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

For the whole world, that in lasting tranquility and peace our days may truly become the acceptable time of grace and salvation.

For sinners and those who neglect right religion, that in this time of reconciliation they may return wholeheartedly to Christ.

For ourselves, that God may at last stir up in our hearts aversion for our sins and conviction for the Gospel.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy. Through Christ Our Lord.

June 21, 2017 - St. Aloysius Gonzaga - Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving bring purity of heart

The Gospel Reading is familiar to us; we hear it at least twice a year, most notably on Ash Wednesday, at the beginning of the penitential season of Lent.

And we hear in this Gospel about the three penitential practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. To the Jews of Jesus’ day, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving were very important spiritual practices.  In this teaching, Jesus is clear that his disciples are to continue to engage in these practices. These practices help us to detached from the things of the world, in order to focus on the one thing that really matters.
There was an order of monks who lived by the phrase: “Semper Quadragesima”, which means,
Always Lent.  They tried always to live in that penitential Lenten Spirit because it is so effective at guiding us away from selfishness to become truly generous and full of God's spirit.

These practices help us to obtain that purity of heart, which Jesus calls for in the beatitudes.
St. Francis of Assisi says, “A man is truly pure of heart when he has no time for the things of this world, but is always searching for the things of heaven”

The Saint we honor today, Aloysius Gonzaga, was especially noted for his purity of heart. By age 11 he was teaching catechism to poor children and fasting three day a week and practicing great austerities. After reading a book about Jesuit missionaries in India, Aloysius announced his desire to be a priest in the Society of Jesus, though it took four years for him to obtain permission from his father, who had more worldly dreams for his son.

And upon entering the Jesuits, his sanctity was truly evident, and he would enter into ecstatic prayer not only in chapel, but sometimes at meals and recreation periods. His love for God prompted him, also to serve the sick and needy. He sought the face of the Lord always. And that is the great promise Jesus makes in the beatitudes: blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God.

Prayer, fasting, giving alms are so powerful, they purify us from earthly cares, they open a window into heaven.

Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, have been taken up as concrete spiritual disciples since the beginning of the Church. And the saints remind us that through them we can achieve the sanctity God desires for each of us.

May our year-round prayer, fasting, and almsgiving bring us great purity of heart that we may radiate the light and love of Jesus for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - - - - -


That all Christians will recommit themselves to fervent prayer as to grow in greater love and holiness.

That we may fast often from the things of the world, in order to seek and value the things of heaven.

That the Church may commit to almsgiving and acts of charity in order to care for the needs of the poor and store up treasure in heaven.

Through the intercession of St Aloysius Gonzaga, patron of young people, that the young may be blessed with true faith, the desire to serve the Lord above seeking the pleasures of the world, and for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased priests and religious of the diocese of Cleveland, especially Fr. John Jenkins, who died this week, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy. Through Christ our Lord.