'As soon as Jesus had cast out the devil, the man recovered his speech, for the possession had made him dumb. It is an image of what happens to a sinner, who will not, or dare not, confess his sin. If he confessed it, and asked pardon, he would be delivered from the tyranny which now oppresses him. Alas! how many there are who are kept back, by a dumb devil, from making the confession that would save them! The holy season of Lent is advancing; these days of grace are passing away; let us profit by them; and if we ourselves be in the state of grace, let us offer up our earnest prayers for sinners, that they may speak, that is, may accuse themselves in confession and obtain pardon.'
Jesus ends the Gospel reading from St. Luke by saying; "...blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it."
I'd like to end with a prayer from the Mozarabic breviary for the beginning of this 3rd week.
'Having now passed the fourteenth day of this season, which forms the tithe of our year, we lift up our eyes to thee, O Lord, who dwellest in heaven. Show mercy to the miserable, and heal them that are wounded. Grant that the journey we have begun may be prosperous. Direct our hearts in the way of thy commandments. Through thee may we find the way of light; through thee, may we be inflamed with the bright burning of thy love. Grant rest to our labours, and a home to us that labour; that having gained thy good pleasure by our observance of these days, we may deserve to be partakers of thy glory.'
Let us pray for the grace to, when we hear the Word of God, keep it.
ps. I hope I didn't offend any real deaf and dumb people of the world. Sorry if I did. This is NOT really pertaining to any physical afflictions people might have been blessed with. I am speaking about those who refuse to acknowledge the real Truth when It presents Itself, defend It, and pass It on to the next generation.
pps. I know you realize that I use the writings of the Abbot Gueranger a lot. This is a worthwhile set of books (15) containing the whole Liturgical year. These books have all the Sundays and Holy days, as well as the days of the real Saints. I know he has helped me a lot to know the Truth and pass it on. And, I'd bet anything that he is a real Saint now!
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