MARCH 9, 2011 DAILY PRAYER WITH REGNUM CHRISTI
JOYFUL REPARATION
March 9, 2011
Ash Wednesday
Father Alex Yeung, LC
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Jeus said to his disciples: "Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no
recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow
a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in
the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you they have
received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left
hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your almsgiving may
be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. When
you pray, do not be like the hypocrites who love to stand and pray
in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you
pray, go into your inner room, close the door, and pray to your
Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, they neglect
their appearance so that they may appear to be fasting. Amen, I say
to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint
your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be
fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who
sees what is hidden will repay you."
Introductory Prayer: Lord, you know how much I need you and depend
on you. You know my weakness and my faults. I put all my confidence
in your love and mercy in my daily actions. I hope to learn to trust
more in your power, your promise, and your grace. Lord, I wish to
start this season of Lent with a sincere desire to grow in love,
preparing myself worthily to celebrate the mysteries of your passion,
death and resurrection.
Petition: Lord, help me learn to change what needs to change in my
life.
1. Lenten Practices As we begin the Lenten season, we are reminded
of the need to make reparation for our sins and be reconciled with
God. Any attempt to build a spiritual life that neglects the pillars
of prayer, fasting and almsgiving is building on sand. Prayer
purifies our intentions and relates all we do to God. Fasting
detaches us from our comfort and from ourselves. Almsgiving reflects
our brotherhood with the poor of Jesus' family and reminds us that
our true wealth is not in things, but in the love of God. We all need
to do a reality check on our spiritual lives to make sure we are
committed to prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
2. Not for Show Jesus is severe in criticizing the hypocrites who
parade their works before others to get attention. Such parades are
of no use in pleasing God or making up for our sins; they only add to
our sinfulness. He encourages us to pray in private, to fast and
give alms in secret, without calling the attention of others to what
we are doing. In this way we can be sure we are doing all for love of
God and not for love of self. Those who make an outward show of
piety or generosity "have already received their reward" in this
world, and they store up no treasure in heaven. Let us work silently
and discreetly, with no other intention but pleasing God alone.
3. God Loves a Joyful Giver Nothing brings us closer to Christ than
walking alongside him and doing the things he did for love of God
the Father. During Lent, God invites us to purify our hearts and
minds and to turn our intentions back to him. Christ's public
ministry was lived each day in loving obedience to the Father's will.
Our Lenten program should reflect that same simple, yet demanding,
obedience and love. What can I do for God today? What sacrifice can
I offer that will be pleasing to him? Once I decide on it, I will
carry it out with no one else knowing.
Conversation with Christ: Jesus, give me the grace to begin this
Lent with great enthusiasm and love. Help me live it with joy,
knowing that I am living it in your presence to please you and you
alone.
Resolution: I will make a Lenten program of prayer, fasting, and
almsgiving.
meditation.regnumchristi.org

One of the greatest mystics of the fifteenth century; born at Rome, of a noble family, in 1384; died there, 9 March, 1440. Her youthful desire was to enter religion, but at her father's wish she married, at the age of twelve, Lorenzo de' Ponziani. Among her children we know of Battista, who carried on the family name, Evangelista, a child of great gifts (d. 1411), and Agnes (d. 1413). Frances was remarkable for her charity to the poor, and her zeal for souls. She won away many Roman ladies from a life of frivolity, and united them in an association of oblates attached to the White Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria Nuova; later they became the Benedictine Oblate Congregation of Tor di Specchi (25 March, 1433) which was approved by Eugene IV (4 July, 1433). Its members led the life of religious, but without the strict cloister or formal vows, and gave themselves up to prayer and good works. With her husband's consent Frances practiced continency, and advanced in a life of contemplation. Her visions often assumed the form of drama enacted for her by heavenly personages. She had the gift of miracles and ecstasy, we well as the bodily vision of her guardian angel, had revelations concerning purgatory and hell, and foretold the ending of the Western Schism. She could read the secrets of consciences and detect plots of diabolical origin. She was remarkable for her humility and detachment, her obedience and patience, exemplified on the occasion ofher husband's banishment, the captivity of Battista, her sons' death, and the loss of all her property. On the death of her husband (1436) she retired among her oblates at Tor di Specchi, seeking admission for charity's sake, and was made superior. On the occasion of a visit to her son, she fell ill and died on the day she had foretold. Her canonization was preceded by three processes (1440, 1443, 1451) and Paul V declared her a saint on 9 May, 1608, assigning 9 March as her feast day. Long before that, however, the faithful were wont to venerate her body in the church of Santa Maria Nuova in the Roman Forum, now known as the church of Santa Francesca Romana. www.newadvent.org/cathen/06205c.htm