You Have Rescued Me, Lord"

Today's Mass Readings

We are about half-way done with Lent. In the next few weeks, our readings focus less on the penitential aspects and more on preparation for Jesus' passion, death, and resurrection, which will redeem us. Today's response in the psalm summarizes this turn in theme: "I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me" (Ps. 30:2a). The beautiful first reading from Isaiah speaks of the "new creation," and of God rejoicing in his people. Sadness and tragedy will be gone, replaced by exultation in this new creation. But how is this new creation realized? How do we see it? In the Gospel reading, we get some indication of how this new creation happens. It happens through Jesus. John's gospel describes Jesus back in Galilee, where he performed his first "sign" of turning water into wine. This time the sign happens in the form of a royal official who petitions Jesus to heal his son. Jesus' initial response almost seems rude to the man, as Jesus seemingly complains that everyone is always looking for signs and miracles. Persistent, the man does not back down from his request but repeats it.

Jesus responds by healing the son, even at a distance, and without ever seeing the son. For this royal official, and for this son, what a new creation! What a reason to rejoice! We can imagine this man proclaiming, "I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me!" And, again, as we look toward the end of Lent, this must be our own constant refrain. Jesus, the man who healed the official's son - Jesus, the God who rejoices in his people, has rescued us. Let us not spare any praise for what God has done for us, his people!

It might be a fruitful spiritual exercise to end today's relfection with today's recommended Psalm of Praise.

- Maria Morrow