One Minute Reflection – 16 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinity” – Septuagesima Sunday – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 10:1-5 – Matthew 20:1-16. – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“So shall the last be first and the first last.
For many are called but few chosen.” – Matthew 20:16
REFLECTION – “What did that criminal do that he received a share in Paradise following the cross? … While Peter denied Christ, this criminal, raised up on his cross, bore witness to Him. I am not saying this to denigrate Peter but, to draw attention to that criminal’s greatness of soul. … While a whole rabble were standing around Him, murmuring, yelling and heaping oaths and abuse on them both, this criminal paid no attention. He did not even consider the wretched condition of the Crucifixion right before his eyes. All this, he passed over, with a glance full of faith …. He turned towards our heavenly Lord and entrusted himself to Him and said: “Lord, remember me when Thou comes into Thy Kingdom” (Lk 23:42). Let us not casually avoid this criminal’s example, or be ashamed of taking as teacher, the man whom our Lord was not ashamed to lead first into Paradise! …
He did not say to him, as He said to Peter: “Come after me, and I will make you a fisher of men” (Mt 4:19). Nor did he say to him as to the Twelve: “You will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Mt 19:28). He favoured him with no title, showed him no miracle. This criminal did not see Him raise a dead man, nor cast out demons; he did not see the sea obeying Him. Christ said nothing to him about the Kingdom, nor yet about hell. And yet, he bore witness to Him before all and inherited the Kingdom!” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father & Doctor of the Church (Sermon for Good Friday “The Cross and the criminal” ).
PRAYER – O Lord, we beseech You, graciously hear the prayers of Your people, that we who are justly punished for our sins may be mercifully delivered for the glory of Your name. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
AnaStpaul 