CALENDARIO / Calendario Cinquepani EN

01 mar 2024

03 March 2024

English translation: March 2024

1/3 FRI Second Week of Lent [II]

Gen 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28; Ps 104; Mt 21:33-43, 45-46

They will respect my son Mt 21:37

Jesus is speaking to the Jewish leaders who do not know the love of the Father. Because of their ignorance, caused by their pride and selfishness, they do not receive Jesus, but rather, they hate him. He, the Son, knows that death awaits Him from them. But it is also for them that He offers his life.

Merciful Jesus, I love you even for those who do not love you!

2/3 SAT Second Week of Lent [II]

Mic 7:14-15.18-20; Ps 102; Lk 15:1-3.11-32

His father saw him and had compassion Lk 15:20

He saw him because he was waiting for him. The father of that lost son, who is now on his way back, never stopped loving him. He knew that his son was only ruining himself by being far away from him, which is why he suffered and couldn't wait for him to return. Like me, battered as I am, I am awaited. My repentance will be a great joy for the Father, and also for me.

3/3 SUN Third Sunday of Lent Year B [III]

Ex 20:1-17; Ps 18; 1 Cor 1:22-25;

Jn 2:13-25

What sign do you show us for doing these things? Jn 2:18

Jesus drives out from the temple, His Father's house, the animal sellers and money changers: He cannot allow the Father to be mistaken for a merchant! The religious leaders ask Him for a sign of His authority to intervene so decisively. The Father Himself will give it, when, after they, slaves of the evil one have killed Him, He will raise Him up: He, the Son who alone reveals the Father in truth.

4/3 MON Third Week of Lent [III]

(comm: St. Casimir, † 1484)

2 Kng 5:1-15; Ps 41-42; Lk 4:24-30

Go wash yourself and you will be cleansed 2 Kng 5:13

The servants humbly and simply remind Naaman, the commander of the army who suffers from leprosy, of the words of the prophet. After some hesitation, he is convinced and does what Elisha had instructed him: he washes in the river and through this obedience, he is healed, cleansed from leprosy.

Thank you, Jesus, for showing mercy to the humble and those who serve.

5/3 TUE Third Week of Lent [III]

Dan 3:25, 34-43; Ps 24; Mt 18:21-35

Have patience with me, and I will repay you everything

Mt 18:26

The master in the parable knows that it is impossible for his servant to repay the enormous debt he owes. In response to the servant's fervent and penitent prayer, the master forgives him completely. This image captures our own situation before God. We owe him our lives, our knowledge of his Son Jesus, and everything. In this Lenten season, we ask for forgiveness because often we live for ourselves instead of for him, and we mistreat our brothers and sisters.

6/3 WED Third Week of Lent [III]

Dt 4:1, 5-9; Ps 147; Mt 5:17-19

Take care and watch yourself closely, so as neither to forget the things that your eyes have seen Dt 4:9

The people are approaching Mount Sinai, where they will receive the “Ten Commandments”. God takes this opportunity to remind Moses and the people not to forget the miraculous things that they have witnessed in Egypt and in the desert. He alone is the Lord! He wants to help them remain faithful to His Covenant and to guard themselves against the enticing, yet deceptive, mindset of the people they encounter on their journey to the Promised Land.

7/3 THU Third Week of Lent [III]

(comm: Sts. Perpetua and Felicity, martyrs, † 202/203)

Jer 7:23-28; Ps 94; Lk 11:14-23

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters

Lk 11:23

My grandmother had a simple faith. She didn't talk about it much, but she would sometimes repeat a phrase that, I believe, she held in her heart and it helped her: "We have toiled all night and caught nothing." In her long life, she had experienced that without Jesus, she could not accomplish anything good.

8/3 FRI Third Week of Lent [III]

(comm: St. John of God, religious, † 1550)

Hos 14:2-10; Ps 80; Mk 12:28-34

There is no other commandment greater than these Mk 12:31

Jesus responds to the scribe by recalling the phrase repeated three times a day by every Israelite: "The Lord our God is the only Lord. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart...". And with His authority, He adds the second: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." And then: "There is no other commandment greater than these." He summarizes the two in one, like the two sides of a coin. One cannot exist without the other.

9/3 SAT Third Week of Lent [III]

(comm: St. Frances of Rome, religious, † 1440)

Hos 6:1-6; Ps 50; Lk 18:9-14

O God, be merciful to me, a sinner Lk 18:13

It is the humble prayer of the tax collector, as told by Jesus in the parable. God loves this invocation and answers it, even when we truthfully express it ourselves. He will help us by forgiving us and renewing our relationship with Him and with our brothers and sisters. Thank you, Lord Jesus!

10/3 SUN Fourth Sunday of Lent Year B [IV]

2 Chron 36:14-16,19-23; Ps 136; Eph 2:4-10; Jn 3:14-21

People loved darkness rather than light Jn 3:19

Father, why do people, including myself, sometimes love and seek what is not pleasing to you and harms us? We are all born on the path of Adam, who turned away from you... But you, to draw us to yourself and restore us with life and joy, offered your only Son, Jesus! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

11/3 MON Fourth Week of Lent [IV]

Is 65:17-21; Ps 29; Jn 4:43-54

Your son lives Jn 4:51

Jesus welcomes our plea that arises from love and suffering, just as he welcomed the plea of the king's official for his own son. When we put our trust in him and his Word, we will witness his goodness and power, and embrace true faith in him forever.

12/3 TUE Fourth Week of Lent [IV]

Ez 47:1-9, 12; Ps 45; Jn 5:1-16

He took up his mat and began to walk Jn 5:9

That man had been sick for many years. He was by the pool whose waters could heal, but he had no one to help him get in... Jesus saw him. I am sure that you, like me, have also experienced many times the gaze of Jesus, and thanks to him, you have resumed, with your burden, walking in love.

13/3 WED Fourth Week of Lent [IV]

Is 49:8-15; Ps 144; Jn 5:17-30

The Lord consoles his people

Is 49:13

In this Lenten season, with the help of the Holy Spirit, let us strive to align our lives with the desires of the Father so that we may resemble Him as true children. He, being more sensitive than the best of fathers, as soon as He sees our effort, comes to meet us, consoles us, and fills us with His blessings!

14/3 THU Fourth Week of Lent [IV]

Ex 32:7-14; Ps 105; Jn 5:31-47

He was a burning and shining lamp Jn 5:35

Jesus speaks to the Jewish leaders who do not love Him and have not loved John the Baptist, who was sent to prepare hearts for His coming. In the same way, when we do not love our Shepherds who bring us the Gospel, we are not actually loving Jesus.

15/3 FRI Fourth Week of Lent [IV]

Wis 2:1, 12-22; Ps 33; Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

I have not come on my own

Jn 7:28

Jesus is participating in the Feast of Booths. He is teaching in the temple, and many are amazed at his knowledge of the Scriptures. They are the Word of His Father, whom He has listened to since He was young, and He will quote them in His preaching and live them fully.

16/3 SAT Fourth Week of Lent [IV]

Jer 11:18-20; Ps 7; Jn 7:40-53

To you I have entrusted my cause

Jer 11:20

Like the prophet Jeremiah, Jesus, in the moment of trial and rejection by men, entrusts Himself to the Father. And He was not disappointed: the all-powerful love of the Father makes Him a blessing and salvation for all, even for those who would kill Him. One of these, at the foot of the cross, will exclaim, "Truly, this man was the Son of God!"

17/3 SUN Fifth Sunday of Lent Year B [I]

Jer 31:31-34; Ps 50; Heb 5:7-9; Jn 12:20-33

I have glorified Him, and will glorify Him again Jn 12:28

Jesus, you have always desired to fulfill the will of your Father: you knew His heart, you were in His love from eternity, you knew that glorifying His Name as Father, Love for all, would mean dying on the cross for you. You prayed to Him, and from Him you received the strength.

18/3 MON Fifth Week of Lent [I]

(comm: St. Cyril of Jerusalem, b. and doc., † 386)

Dan 13:1-9,15-17,19-30,33-62; Ps 22; Jn 8:1-11

Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more Jn 8:11

I also want to hear these words from Jesus! Easter is near: it is the opportune time for a beautiful confession! I am sure that Jesus will forgive me and He will also say to me: "Sin no more," which means: don't stay away from me for even a single minute!

19/3 TUE S. JOSEPH, Spouse of the Virgin Mary [P]

2 Sam 7:4-5,12-14,16; Ps 88; Rom 4:13,16-18,22; Mt 1:16,18-21,24 or Lk 2:41-51

Joseph, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife Mt 1:20

Saint Joseph is called the "righteous man" because he always sought and lived according to the will of God. Thus he received help from the Father in a vivid and clear way: He gave him light and peace to accept Mary as his spouse.

20/3 WED Fifth Week of Lent [I]

Dan 3:14-20,46-50,91-92,95; Ps: Dan 3:52-56; Jn 8:31-42

If you remain in my word, you are truly my disciples. Jn 8:31

How beautiful, how new is your way of speaking, Jesus: “... remain in my word"! I can live in the light of your Word; I can rest and work, suffer and rejoice, keeping it in my heart and being guided by it. You are present, Lord Jesus: that's why I receive true life from it, life as a child of the Father, as a brother of mankind. Thank you!

21/3 THU Fifth Week of Lent [I]

Gen 17:3-9; Ps 104; Jn 8:51-59

I will make you exceedingly fruitful Gen 17:6

Truly, Abraham was made fruitful by the Lord, in whom he put his trust: from his descendants, Jesus, the Savior of all, would be born! But the leaders of his people would not accept Him, in fact... They had no faith, they did not live in humble relationship with God.

I accept you, Jesus, and I know that even today you will keep me in the heart of the Father.

22/3 FRI Fifth Week of Lent [I]

Jer 20:10-13; Ps 17; Jn 10:31-42

I have shown you many good works Jn 10:32

Jesus, persecuted, tries to help his enemies by reminding them of the miracles they have seen with their own eyes. He would like them to recognize him as the awaited Messiah, the Savior, in order to know true life... But only the humble will know how to recognize him.

23/3 SAT Fifth Week of Lent [I]

(comm: St. Turibio de Mongrovejo, bishop, † 1606)

Ez 37:21-28; Ps: Jer 31:10-13; Jn 11:45-57

I will dwell among them Ez 37:27

Tomorrow we will begin Holy Week: we could say that we enter into the Easter of Jesus. Today, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we read the passage from Ezekiel. This leads us to thank the Lord for the wonderful reality that he has prepared for us at the cost of his blood: He will dwell among us, and so we will never be alone anymore.

24/3 PALM SUNDAY Year B [P]

Mk 11:1-10 or Jn 12:12-16; Is 50:4-7; Ps 22; Phil 2:6-11; Passion: Mk 14:1 - 15:47

Stay awake and pray that you may not enter into temptation Mk 14:38

Jesus, thank you for teaching us how to pray! Before your Passion, you sought the Father: you wanted to do His will with all your heart. You received his help: in the strongest temptation, at the moment of death on the cross, you remained the obedient Son. Jesus, I will also pray in this Week of Light.

25/3 HOLY MONDAY [II]

Is 42:1-7; Ps 26; Jn 12:1-11

The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume Jn 12:3

It was the fragrance of love, of that love that Jesus was fully deserving of: He was ready to offer himself as the true Lamb, in that long-awaited Passover. I will also fill my life with that fragrance. Love for Jesus will make me love his brothers and sisters, especially the ones in greatest need.

26/3 HOLY TUESDAY [II]

Is 49:1-6; Ps 70; Jn 13:21-33, 36-38

I will make you a light to the nations Is 49:6

Jesus, as you were betrayed by your disciple and embraced the "cup" from your Father, this promise seemed obscured. You suffered: with peace, with humility, with love. When I have the grace to suffer for you, Jesus, I will remember this promise: the Father will make me a light for many!

27/3 HOLY WEDNESDAY [II]

Is 50:4-9; Ps 68; Mt 26:14-25

Indeed, the Lord God is my help Is 50:9

This Word refers to Jesus, who was persecuted, and thanks to him, to all the oppressed. Faith in the Father gives his children strength to be faithful to His will, that is, to love everyone without preference, even our enemies.

28/3 HOLY THURSDAY [P]

Ex 12:1-8, 11-14; Ps 115; 1 Cor 11:23-26; Jn 13:1-15 (Mass "in Coena Domini")

Not all of you are clean Jn 13:11

Jesus is with his disciples, washing their feet. He had purified them with His word of love. Unfortunately, Judas did not let himself be loved, he did not seek advice from anyone, and betrayed his Lord.

Come, Holy Spirit, to burn away my pride, to make me humble and to transform me by the Body and Blood of Christ, offered in sacrifice for the purification from sin.

29/3 GOOD FRIDAY [P]

Is 52:13-53:12; Ps 30; Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9; Jn 18:1 - 19:42

It was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek Jn 19:20

It was the writing placed on the cross above the head of Jesus.

Jesus, you who die by loving, you are the Word, the only one worthy to be written in every language, the only one understood by every heart! Today I stand at the foot of your cross to read your love.

30/3 HOLY SATURDAY [P]

Let us approach with confidence the throne of grace Heb 4:16

This exhortation is addressed to each one of us who believe in Jesus, who died and rose for all humanity. He is at the right hand of the Father and intercedes for us as an advocate, defender, and high priest.

I adore you, Jesus: you allowed yourself to be laid in a tomb, after entering into death, to accompany me as well into the presence of the Father, into the light.

31/3 EASTER SUNDAY Year B [P]

Acts 10:34.37-43; Ps 117; Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6-8; Jn 20:1-9 or Mk 16:1-7 or Lk 24:13-35

Indeed the Lord has risen Lk 24:34

It is the evening of Easter Day. The disciples, gathered in the Upper Room, rejoice at the news that Jesus has risen and has appeared to Simon. The two from Emmaus, returning "without delay," affirm that they recognized Jesus after he had explained the Scriptures to them and broke the Bread.

The Lord has risen! He is truly risen! For all, life is renewed! Alleluia!