Through Lent with Pope Francis
The joy of contemplative love needs to be cultivated. Since we were made for love, we know that there is no greater joy than that of sharing good things: “Give, take, and treat yourself well” (Sir 14:16).
Amoris Laetitia
The most intense joys in life arise when we are able to elicit joy in others, as a foretaste of heaven. We can think of the lovely scene in the film Babette’s Feast, when the generous cook receives a grateful hug and praise: “Ah, how you will delight the angels!”
It is a joy and a great consolation to bring delight to others, to see them enjoying themselves.
This joy, the fruit of fraternal love, is not that of the vain and self-centred, but of lovers who delight in the good of those whom they love, who give freely to them and thus bear good fruit.
Scripture
The Parable of the Sower
Mark 4:1-9 NCB
On another occasion he began to teach by the side of the lake. However, such a large crowd gathered that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while the whole crowd gathered on the shore facing the lake. Then he taught them many things in parables.
In the course of his teaching, he said to them:
“Listen! A sower went out to sow. As he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where there was little soil. It sprouted quickly, since the soil had no depth, but when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it lacked roots, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it produced no crop.
But some seed fell onto rich soil and brought forth grain, increasing and yielding thirty, sixty, and a hundred times what was sown.”
He then added, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Thought for Today
As you look through the day, using the Examen, notice the fruit that will last, all that has brought delight in the day.
Taste and savour it over again.
Music
Seed Scattered and Sown – Sung by the choir of St Francis de Sales, Ajax, Ontario written by Dan Feiten