Episode 2974: Remember, O Man - Morning Episode

Day 2: Holy Face of Jesus
O Jesus, who in Thy Passion didst become the "reproach of men and the Man of Sorrows," I venerate Thy Sacred Face, on which once there did shine the beauty and sweetness of the Godhead; but now it has become for me as if it were the face of a leper! Nevertheless, under those disfigured features, I recognize Thy infinite love, and I am consumed with the desire to love Thee and make Thee loved by all men. The tears that streamed abundantly from Thy eyes appear to me as so many precious pearls that I love to gather up in order to purchase souls of poor sinners by means of their infinite value. O Jesus, whose adorable Face ravishes my heart, I implore Thee to fix deep within me Thy divine image and to set me on fire with Thy love, that I may be found worthy to come to the contemplation of Thy glorious Face in Heaven. Amen. Prayer: I firmly believe that Thou art here present, O my adorable Jesus, as really and as truly as Thou wert in Thine earthly life, with Thy most holy humanity and Thy divinity. I adore Thee profoundly in union with the angelic praises; I offer Thee the homage of all the beings who are in Heaven, of all the just who are on earth, and of all the faithful souls who are in this chapel. I consecrate to Thee all the powers of my soul. I invoke the Holy Spirit, that He may enlighten me in order to know what would be most pleasing to Thee; and I beg Him to give me His grace and to dispositions to accomplish it faithfully. Golden Arrow Prayer: May the most holy, most sacred, most adorable, most incomprehensible and unutterable Name of God be always praised, blessed, loved, adored, and glorified in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, by all the creatures of God, and by the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Amen.
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Book Recommendation of the Day
Letters of St. Ignatius of Antioch – Written on his way to martyrdom, discussing Church hierarchy and the Eucharist.
Remember, O Man: Ash Wednesday Reflections & Scripture Readings"
March 5, 2025 – Ash Wednesday
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Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a time of penance, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. The ashes on our foreheads remind us of our mortality and our call to repentance. The Church, in her wisdom, gives us this season to turn away from sin and renew our hearts in Christ.
Let us now open our hearts to the Word of God as we embark on this sacred journey.
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Epistle: Joel 2:12-19
"Thus saith the Lord: Be converted to me with all your heart, in fasting, and in weeping, and in mourning. And rend your hearts, and not your garments, and turn to the Lord your God: for He is gracious and merciful, patient and rich in mercy, and ready to repent of the evil."
🔹 Reflection:
The prophet Joel calls us to true repentance, not just external signs of sorrow but an interior conversion of the heart. God is merciful, ready to forgive, but we must turn back to Him fully and sincerely.
Lent is a time to ask: Have I been complacent in my faith? Have I placed worldly concerns above my love for God? Now is the time to return to Him with all our hearts.
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Gospel: Matthew 6:16-21
"And when you fast, be not as the hypocrites, sad. For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not to men to fast, but to thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee."
🔹 Reflection:
Our Lord teaches us that fasting and penance should not be done for human recognition but for God alone. True fasting is an act of love, detaching us from earthly things and drawing us closer to Him.
In this Lenten season, we are called to:
1. Fast from sin – Eliminating sinful habits and occasions of sin.
2. Fast from distractions – Lessening time spent on worldly entertainment and increasing prayer.
3. Fast from self-indulgence – Offering sacrifices to purify our hearts and grow in virtue.
Let us fast joyfully and humbly, knowing that our Father in Heaven sees all and will grant us the grace to persevere.
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Traditional Saints and Historical Feast Days – March 5
📜 St. John Joseph of the Cross (1654-1739)
• A Franciscan priest known for his extreme humility, love for penance, and deep devotion to the Passion of Christ.
• He embraced poverty, self-denial, and silence, reminding us that true holiness requires detachment from the world.
• His life echoes today’s call: Fasting, prayer, and a return to God with full sincerity.
🕊️ Reflection on St. John Joseph of the Cross
His example invites us to enter into Lent with a true spirit of sacrifice. In an age where comfort and self-gratification are exalted, he teaches us that true peace comes from dying to self and living for Christ.
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Theme of Ash Wednesday: Mortality and Repentance
🔹 "Memento, homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris."
"Remember, O man, that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return." (Genesis 3:19)
Ash Wednesday reminds us of two profound realities:
1. The certainty of death – Our time on earth is fleeting; we must prepare our souls for eternity.
2. The need for repentance – Sin separates us from God, but His mercy is always available if we turn back to Him.
Lent is a time to strip away distractions, increase our devotion, and grow in holiness.
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Quotes for Reflection
• "You are asking for something that would be harmful to your salvation if you had it—so by not getting what you've asked, you really are getting what you want." – St. Catherine of Siena
• "He who wishes to be wise without Christ is a fool." – St. John Joseph of the Cross
• "Fasting is the soul of prayer; mercy is the lifeblood of fasting. If we have not all three together, we have nothing." – St. Peter Chrysologus
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Conclusionary Prayer
"O merciful Father, as we enter this holy season of Lent, grant us the grace of true repentance. May we return to You with humble hearts, fasting not just from food, but from sin and worldly attachments. Through the intercession of St. John Joseph of the Cross, may we grow in detachment, purity, and love for You. Strengthen us in our sacrifices, that we may seek only Your glory and prepare our souls for the joy of Easter. Through Christ our Lord. Amen."
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
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Thank you for joining us in today’s reflection. May Our Lady guide you throughout this Lent.