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Morning Reflections
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time | January 29, 2023 This gospel reflection is based on Matthew 5:17-37.
Truth at Heart by Deacon Andy Cirmo
He opens the truth of the law for us Yet what he teaches is hard to do Bringing a fresh understanding A new insight into his giving love Of what has always been so true
He teaches the law of our one true God Who sees, knows and loves us all Who understands the depth of our minds Knows well of our human weakness And of how far we so often fall
He shows us how to live the law His teachings straight from the start Making it so very clear to see That obedience is far beyond action But must come truly from the heart
Abiding the law is not just in the doing But showing in life that we understand That which is thought of can pull us down Convincing us of false righteousness And leading us away from his hand
Oh his teaching now is so clear He does not undo the laws of old But brings them into a bright new light Showing their depth and their breadth That thought and living are not just told
For in the rules of old he makes it clear Truth is found depth and breadth not oath The Teacher knows our minds and hearts And that of our thoughts and actions Obedience to the law seeks purity of both
Dear Jesus, Teach us of the Father’s love for us And his desire for us to act and see With mind and heart and soul of love Of will and voice and hand of truth That by living in the light of your love Our reward forever with you will be
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time | January 29, 2023 This gospel reflection is based on Matthew 5:11-12a.
9 New Ways by Deacon Andy Cirmo
As I sit at feet and listen His teaching weighs on my heart So very different from all I knew But so very clear from his the start
He wants me to be poor of spirit Can I sacrifice my ego to this Way Can I so be and act so humbly And open my heart now, today?
He wants me to feel and to mourn Can I open up to be so vulnerable Letting down my shield to really feel Can I do this, am I truly able
He wants me now to be meek Instead of holding tight to my pride Can I let down my ego’s shield And reveal the truth inside
He wants me to hunger for truth Instead of accepting as I have always Can I be open to hear it all clearly Will accepting this change my ways
He wants me to become merciful Instead of being hard of heart Can I let down my heart shield And on this new pathway so start
He wants me to have a clean heart In the face of all my sinful ways Can I wash out all that impedes To begin a change of days
He wants me to bring peace To even those who wish me harm Can I be this very strong That in only prayer raise my arm
He wants me to humbly suffer To swallow my pride during insult Can I bear up under this pressure Can I live with the result
He wants me to bear insult with grace From those who laugh at my faith Can I be strong enough to do this And in my heart find a peaceful space
Dear Jesus you have clearly taught That, to truly follow you My ways are to truly change For I am to act in the light of love On all days, in all ways