Saturday after Ash Wednesday

• First Reading – Isaiah 58:9b-14: The LORD calls for ending oppression and aiding the needy, promising guidance, prosperity, and restoration. Honoring the Sabbath leads to joy in the LORD and a revered legacy, fulfilling God’s covenant.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 86: I implore the Lord for protection and mercy, trusting in His goodness. I ask for His guidance and truth to live a life aligned with His will, confident in His unfailing love.
• Gospel – Luke 5:27-32: Jesus called Levi, a tax collector, to follow him, and Levi immediately abandoned his post to do so. Hosting a feast for Jesus, Levi invited many tax collectors and others, which prompted criticism from the Pharisees and scribes. Jesus defended his actions by highlighting his mission to reach out to those in need of spiritual healing, emphasizing his focus on calling sinners to repentance rather than mingling with the self-perceived righteous.

Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.

Luke 5:31-32

The readings for the Saturday after Ash Wednesday encourage us to reflect on the call to follow Jesus and live lives of compassion, mercy, and justice. They remind us of the joy that comes from turning to God and serving others with a sincere heart.

• Calling Sinners to Repentance: In the Gospel, Jesus explains that He came to call sinners, not the righteous. This shows His mercy and reminds us that everyone is invited to follow Him and turn back to God.
• The Joy of Following Jesus: When Levi leaves everything to follow Jesus, it shows the joy and freedom that come from accepting His call. True joy comes when we say yes to God and trust in His plan.
• Acts of Kindness and Justice: The first reading encourages us to help those in need by feeding the hungry and caring for the afflicted. These actions are ways to live out our faith and honor God.
• Removing Sin from Our Lives: Isaiah calls us to remove oppression, false accusations, and harmful words. Turning away from sin allows us to live in peace and reflect God’s love in our actions.
• Healing Through Mercy: Both readings highlight the healing that comes from mercy, whether through Jesus calling sinners or through helping others in need. Mercy brings us closer to God and to one another.
• Finding Rest in God: Isaiah speaks of the peace and rest that come from turning to God. When we follow His ways, we experience true renewal and refreshment.

The Saturday after Ash Wednesday invites us to examine how we are living and respond to Jesus’s call with an open heart. May we turn to God with joy, serve others with compassion, and trust in the peace He offers.

The readings for the Saturday after Ash Wednesday invite us to reflect on how we live out our faith. They call us to act with justice and compassion, to see worth in every person, and to respond fully to God’s call. These lessons remind us that following Jesus is both a personal commitment and an outward expression of love for others.

Acting Justly and Serving Others

The first reading for the Saturday after Ash Wednesday reminds us that faith is not just about prayer or fasting. Isaiah calls us to act with justice and compassion, helping those who are hungry, oppressed, or in need. These actions reflect true worship and a heart that seeks to follow God’s ways.

When we serve others, we bring light and healing to the world around us. Isaiah shows that caring for others is not just a duty but also a path to experiencing God’s blessings. Acts of kindness and justice allow us to live out our faith in practical and meaningful ways.

This message challenges us to reflect on how we treat others in our daily lives. Are we making space for acts of mercy and compassion? By answering God’s call to serve, we draw closer to Him and show His love to those who need it most.

Seeing Worth in Others

The Gospel for the Saturday after Ash Wednesday challenges us to consider how we view those who are often judged or excluded by society. Jesus calls Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him, showing that no one is beyond God’s love and mercy. He spends time with those considered sinners, demonstrating their value and potential for redemption.

This challenges us to ask if we extend the same grace to others. Do we judge people based on their past or their outward appearance, or do we see their worth as children of God? Jesus invites us to look beyond the surface and treat everyone with kindness and respect.

Following Jesus means being open to relationships with people who may be different or overlooked. By seeing the good in others and offering forgiveness and grace, we reflect the mercy and love of God in our actions.

Responding to God’s Call

A shared theme in both readings for the Saturday after Ash Wednesday is responding to God’s call. Isaiah speaks of living out our faith through actions, and the Gospel shows Levi leaving everything to follow Jesus. Both teach us that saying yes to God requires action and trust.

Responding to God’s call often means letting go of comfort or routine. Levi’s decision to follow Jesus was not easy, but it brought him joy and a new purpose. Isaiah reminds us that answering God’s call also involves caring for others and living justly.

These readings encourage us to reflect on how we are responding to God in our own lives. Are we willing to step out in faith and follow where He leads? By saying yes to God and acting with love and compassion, we grow closer to Him and bring His light to the world.

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As we reflect on these messages, let us open our hearts to serve, to forgive, and to follow God with trust. May our actions and attitudes show our commitment to living out the Gospel each day.

Prayer

Lord, teach us to act with justice and mercy, seeing the worth in every person. Help us respond to Your call with open hearts and willing spirits. May our lives reflect Your love as we serve others and follow You faithfully. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can you act with greater justice and kindness in your daily life?
• Do you take time to see the worth in those who are often judged or excluded?
• What might God be calling you to leave behind in order to follow Him more closely?
• How can your actions reflect your faith in practical and meaningful ways?

Word on Fire: Grace Unbidden

Bishop Robert Barron reflects on the Gospel story of Jesus calling Matthew, a despised tax collector, to follow Him. Emphasizing that grace is unearned and comes without prior merit or request, Barron highlights the transformative power of Jesus’ call. Through the lens of Caravaggio’s painting, the moment of Matthew’s incredulous response and subsequent conversion is seen as a new creation, illustrating the profound, unexplained grace that invites even the most unlikely to follow Jesus.

USCCB Reflection: Spending God’s Time

The USCCB reflection for the Saturday after Ash Wednesday draws inspiration from a Franciscan priest’s practice of reminding us that our time belongs to God. It emphasizes the Lenten invitation to evaluate how we’re using God’s gift of time, urging us to focus on justice, care for the poor, and our reliance on God. Through the readings, including Isaiah’s call to justice and the Gospel’s account of Levi’s immediate response to Jesus, we’re encouraged to embrace healing, reconciliation, mercy, and justice, marking our time by God’s work and seeking ways to spend our lives in alignment with His will.

What date is the Saturday after Ash Wednesday?

The next date is Saturday March 8, 2025.

What are the Mass readings for the Saturday after Ash Wednesday?

The Mass readings for Saturday March 8, 2025 are:
First Reading  – Isaiah 58:9b-14: Promise for Righteous Acts
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 86: Seeking God’s Guidance
Gospel – Luke 5:27-32: Levi’s Call and Response

What is the significance of the first reading for the Saturday after Ash Wednesday?

The first reading from Isaiah for the Saturday after Ash Wednesday calls for social justice and compassion. It emphasizes ending oppression, aiding the needy, and observing the Sabbath, promising guidance, prosperity, and restoration for those who act justly.

How does the first reading relate to the Lenten season?

The first reading highlights themes of justice, compassion, and renewal, which are central to the Lenten season. It encourages individuals to reflect on their actions and commitments to social justice as part of their Lenten observance.

What is the message of hope in the first reading?

The message of hope is that by engaging in acts of compassion and justice, we are promised divine guidance, prosperity, and restoration. It assures us that living in accordance with God’s will brings light and healing.

What message does Jesus convey in the Gospel reading for the Saturday after Ash Wednesday?

In the Gospel reading, Jesus calls Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him, demonstrating His mission to call sinners to repentance rather than the self-perceived righteous. It underscores the inclusivity of Jesus’ message and His focus on mercy and transformation.

Why did Jesus choose to dine with tax collectors and sinners?

Jesus dined with tax collectors and sinners to illustrate His mission of extending grace and forgiveness to those most in need of spiritual healing. This act challenged societal norms and emphasized His commitment to reaching the marginalized.

What can we learn from Levi’s response to Jesus’ call?

Levi’s immediate decision to follow Jesus upon being called highlights the transformative power of responding to God’s call with openness and willingness. It teaches us the importance of being ready to leave behind our past and embrace a new path of discipleship.

How does the theme of social justice in Isaiah relate to Jesus’ actions in the Gospel for the Saturday after Ash Wednesday?

The theme of social justice in Isaiah complements Jesus’ actions by emphasizing the importance of action and compassion in faith. Just as Isaiah calls for aid to the needy, Jesus practices this compassion by associating with those deemed outcasts, showing that faith must be lived out through acts of justice and mercy.

How does Jesus’ interaction with the Pharisees challenge us today?

Jesus’ interaction with the Pharisees challenges us to examine our own attitudes towards those society labels as “sinners” and to practice a faith that embraces mercy over judgment, inviting us to extend forgiveness and welcome to all.

What does the call to repentance in the Gospel mean for us during Lent?

The call to repentance reminds us that Lent is a time for personal reflection, acknowledging our sins, and turning towards a life more aligned with Jesus’ teachings. It’s an invitation to grow in holiness and to prepare our hearts for Easter.

How can we apply the lessons from the readings for the Saturday after Ash Wednesday in our daily lives?

We can apply the lessons by actively seeking justice, showing compassion to the marginalized, observing times of rest and worship, and being open to transformation in our own lives. These readings encourage us to live out our faith through actions that reflect God’s love and mercy to the world.