“It was not because you are the largest of all nations that the LORD set his heart on you and chose you, for you are really the smallest of all nations.”

“If you don’t want a fire, remove the wood”

True religion is founded on the things Jesus talks about today:  prayer, fasting, and almsgiving

How are you doing with all of those things?

They aren’t just for Lent…

They constitute true religion (from religare, to bind) — these practices bind us together and to God

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies….”

love your enemies.  Then they aren’t enemies.

“Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.”

The story of King Ahab, Jezebel, and Naboth in our first reading is one example of why

Preparing

• be in a state of grace
• be excited
• pray
• have intention

Receiving

• Check your hand for particles
• Remember in communion line: I’m going to the Last Supper, to PARTICIPATE
• Remember in communion line: I’m going to Calvary, to PARTICIPATE

Living Communion (Corpus Christi)

• Prayer of thanksgiving
• Remember: I have JESUS inside
• That ought to change (sanctify) every word, action

Saint Anthony of Padua

When we’re lost…………………..  TONY TONY LOOK AROUND, SOMETHING’s LOST THAT MUST BE FOUND

or someone