Harpa Dei

Today, in our Lenten journey, we are first presented with a reading from the prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 18:1–9). In it, the Lord wants to clarify a false conception that was evidently held by the people of Israel and expressed in erroneous thoughts and proverbs: “What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land […]

In today’s two readings (Ex 24:12–18 and 1 Kgs 19:3–8), we encounter the two great prophets of the Old Covenant. On the one hand, there is Moses, who freed the people of Israel from the yoke of the Egyptian pharaoh and led them through the desert on behalf of the Lord. God has great plans

Today is the seventh day of our journey toward Holy Easter. In today’s reading, the Lord calls us to conversion: “Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he

Today, on the sixth day of our Lenten journey, we hear comforting words. God Himself, who is our shepherd, assures us that He will take care of His sheep. Although the words of the prophet Ezekiel in today’s reading (Ezekiel 34:11–16), in which divine goodness is manifested in a special way, are addressed primarily to

“We entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, ‘At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation.’ Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor 6:1–2) With this exhortation, St. Paul introduces us

Today, on the fourth day of our Lenten journey, the Lord—through the prophet Isaiah—again emphasizes the importance of acting justly toward our neighbor and keeping His commandments. If we do so, true peace will enter our souls, and what the reading promises will come to pass: “You shall be like a watered garden, like a

Today, on the third day of our Lenten journey, the readings introduce us to the themes of fasting and loving our enemies. Fasting—and by this we mean, first and foremost, bodily fasting, which was very common in the Church in times past—is a very good and beneficial practice for our spiritual life in following Christ.

After passing through the door of Ash Wednesday, today’s traditional liturgy presents us with a story from the prophet Isaiah. He was sent to deliver sad news to King Hezekiah, who was terminally ill:  “Thus says the LORD: Set your house in order; for you shall die, you shall not recover.” (Is 38:1b). The king

Introductory Reflections Lent occupies a very important place in the liturgical year. It begins today with Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. For forty days and forty nights, the faithful embark on a journey of profound conversion to prepare for the celebration of Easter. The flood lasted forty days and forty nights; it took

Today I would like to conclude this short series in which we have addressed certain aspects of the three evangelical counsels and their application by the Lord’s disciples who live in the world. As far as the third counsel is concerned, it is not so easy to apply it in the world, since voluntary poverty