Introduction: God gives a new heart that loves Him and already loves Him, because He is Love. We were born and brought up in sin, and did not know God, as it is written: « for the inclination of the human heart is evil from youth » Gen 8:21b. Concerning human heart, Jesus said: « For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person » Mar 7:21-23. It is this wicked heart that God wants to renew and give a new heart to all who believe and receive His Son Jesus Christ. This means being born again, according to the Apostle Paul’s epistle to the Corinthians. »So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! » 2 Cor 5:17. A new heart is a purified heart, a heart free from sin, from which David’s prayer of repentance and supplication is made: « Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin » Ps 51:2. That is why Jesusn said: « Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God » Mt 5:8. God gives this new heart to the baptized. For those who are baptized receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:39), who regenerates people into children of God (Jn 1:12). And it is the Holy Spirit who builds faith for salvation through the word of God
(Rom 10:17) and establishes the word of God in them, especially the Commandment of Love. But the Lord said: « But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people » Jer 31:33. As the lyrics of a hymn say: “Give me a purer heart […] Give me a believing heart, A heart that knows how to serve, A heart that knows how to endure, A heart that rejoices, Though deeply hurt, A heart just like yours » FFPM HYMNAL 623, vv.1,4.
Monday, 17th: A new heart, a gift of God the love.
« A new heart I will give you » Ezek 36:26a.
Reading 1: 2 Cor 5:14-17. Reading 2: Ezek 36:25-27. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Ezek 36:26.
Introduction: A new heart is a gift from God, according to the words of the prophet Samuel, when he had just anointed Saul king:
« Then the spirit of the Lord will possess you, and you will be in a prophetic frenzy along with them and be turned into a different person, […]
As he turned away to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart » 1 Sam 10:6,9a.The way to get it? Faith in and acceptance of Jesus Christ as
Lord and Savior in the heart, and love and obedience to Him. The Apostle John said: « Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has
been born of God » 1 Jn 5:1.
Tuesday, 18th : God gives a new heart to who repent.
« Create in me a clean heart » Ps 51:10a.
Reading 1: Lk 15:11-24. Reading 2: Ps 51:1-10. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Ps 51:10.
Introduction: Zacchaeus, the tax collector, felt the depth of the love of Merciful God for him when the Lord Jesus visited him in his home,
and his heart and way of living were truly changed, as it is written: « Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, Look, half of my
possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much. Then Jesus said to
him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham » Lk 19:8-9.
Wednesday, 19th: The new heart that the Loving God gives is a heart in which Christ dwells.
« But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord » 1 Pet 3:15a.
Reading 1: Jn 14:22-27. Reading 2: 1 Pet 3:15-17. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: 1 Pet 3:15.
Introduction: God dwells in a holy and lofty place, but also in the brokenhearted and humble (Isa 57:15a). The Lord wants to live with us, so
the thirsty and truly seeking hearts He visits and says: « Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I
will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me » Rev 3:20. Open the door for Jesus, happiness of the heart!
Thursday, 20th: The new heart that the loving God gives is a heart that trusts in Him
« Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows » Lk 12:7b.
Reading 1: Isa 26:1-9. Reading 2: Lk 12:4-12. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Lk 12:6-7.
Introduction: A heart that is reconciled to God, a heart that knows God, a heart in which God dwells, a heart full of love: this is the new heart
that God gives to all who believe and receive His Son, Jesus Christ. Then they will be so full of confidence, peace and joy that they can
confess like Mary: « […]My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior » Lk 1:46-47.
Friday, 21st: The new heart that the Loving God gives is a heart that loves His word.
« I treasure your word in my heart » Ps 119:11.
Reading 1: Jn 14:15-21. Reading 2: Ps 119:9-16. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Ps 119:11.
Introduction: The heart that receives Jesus Christ, in which He dwells, and which trusts in Him, has a passion and a thirst for His words..
Such was Mary’s heart when she and her sister Martha received Jesus who visited them: « She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s
feet and listened to what he was saying » Lk 10:39. And the Lord was well pleased with her, as He said to Martha: « Martha, Martha, you are
worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from
her » Lk 10:41-42.
Saturday, 22nd: The new heart given by the Loving God receives the Holy Spirit.
« Neither is new wine put into old wineskins; […] but new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved » Mt 9:17.
Reading 1: Ezek 36:25-27. Reading 2: Mt 9:14-17. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mt 9:17.
Introduction: Whoever believes in Jesus Christ and is baptized is saved (Mar 16:16), and is cleansed and can receive the Holy Spirit of God,
according to the words of the Apostle Peter to the Jews assembled in Jerusalem: »Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of
you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit » Act 2:38.
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