Third Sunday of Lent
The story of the Samaritan woman is so dramatic and powerful that we could draw multiple themes from it. Add to it the very powerful story of the water from the rock in the first reading, these readings give us the possibility of an entire day’s retreat. I have chosen to focus on the second half of the story of the Samaritan woman as the theme of today’s homily. The common word that unites my homily is the word ‘story.”
Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
Today’s gospel might initially wash over us as the story we’ve heard many, many times of the “Prodigal Son” who lavishly spends his inheritance on pleasures and is left tending the swine and desiring their food. He then returns to his father to beg for mercy.
Friday of the Second Week of Lent
Today's gospel passage (Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46) is one of the most mysterious of Jesus' parables, and also one that has been used, down through the centuries, to justify some of the most awful actions against Jews and others who are not Christian. It's a weird parable simply in terms of action: why is it that the vineyard owner keeps sending out slaves to be harmed? Why does he never call the police, raise up an army, or otherwise seek to punish the tenants? The tenants, too, act in very odd ways. Why are they bothering to beat up the slaves? They knew what the price was for renting the vineyard; their actions are more than a little inexplicable.
Thursday of the Second Week of Lent
I’m guessing that most of us reading today’s readings do not consider ourselves “rich,” as in today’s gospel reading of the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16: 19-31), although we probably have all that we need and even some of what we want. We may not immediately identify with the Rich Man who dressed in fine linen and dined “sumptuously” each day, although compared to most people in the developing countries, and some in our own country, we are quite rich, having three meals a day and as many snacks as we like and throwing away our leftovers even if we did have good intentions not to waste any food. Granted, we probably don’t have a Lazarus sitting outside our front door, but this parable makes me think about all the poor and suffering people that I prefer to ignore as did the Rich Man. It’s not that I’m mean or unconcerned, and I’d like to think that I’m not selfish. Personally, I find it overwhelming to consider all the poverty and suffering in the world, and so it’s just easier to turn away from it, sometimes even fooling myself into thinking I’ll do something about it later.
Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent
In Lumen Gentium, a document from Vatican II, we learn that the people of God by virtue of their Baptism share in Christ’s office of priest, prophet and king. This sharing means we too are called through grace to be faithful disciples who imitate Christ. In thinking of these three roles, do we see ourselves as priest, prophet and king? Would I dare think of myself as a prophet? Do I embrace my ministry as priest or prophet with joy, or is it more like resentment? Often our response is like Jeremiah, “Oh Lord, I am too young to do that.” Or like Jonah, “No Lord, your crazy if you think I’ll do that,” and then we run the other way. Sometimes we are like today’s disciples, “Sure we can drink the same cup Lord;” all the while failing to realize that Jesus means to lay down his life.
Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
Often we are reminded the importance of a faith that takes its form in practice. Indeed, this embodiment of faith is a Christian imperative. In the words of James, “Faith without works is dead” (2:14-26); faith alone is not enough. Faith is movement. Faith draws us from our sloth to be actively present in the world around us, attentive and informed.
Monday of the Second Week in Lent
In scanning the index in the back of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, I've noticed over time that the three most extensive subject headings are "Church", "Jesus Christ", and "Man." Certainly the subjects of "Church" and "Jesus Christ" in the Catechism index come as no surprise in being the most extensive, considering these critical, multifaceted subjects lend themselves to numerous subheadings that cover so much of our faith. However, the subject of "Man" as also being a prominent subject within the index gives me a healthy reminder of the totality of Catholicism. Not only does our faith teach us about God and the Church, but it also tells us who we are as human beings, how we are to live as mankind, and who we are called to be like.
Second Sunday of Lent
There are two spectacular events in today’s scripture readings – the miraculous fiery consummation of Abrahams sacrifice and the transfiguration of Jesus. I reflected upon these passages both from God’s perspective and from the perspective of the characters in the story. And I found great contrasts in these perspectives. For the God who created the entire universe what does it take to get a flaming torch pass through Abraham’s sacrifice? I think it was child’s play for God. For that matter, what does it take God to have Abraham and Sarah have a baby in their old age? For the God who created the universe it really was not a big deal. On the contrary, for Abraham and Sarah this was a BIG DEAL. Similarly, in the transfiguration event, what does it take God to create that divine experience for the disciples? Not much! God merely revealed who God really is! But for Peter, James and John this was a BIG DEAL. They wanted to stay there forever.
Saturday of the First Week of Lent
In today’s first reading we have the narrative of the establishment of the covenant between God and the Hebrews through the prophet Moses. This ends the section of Deuteronomy (or “Second Law”) which expounds on the law. Both parties of the covenant—God and the Hebrews—are to keep up their ends of the agreement. The Hebrews “are to walk in [God’s] ways
and observe his statutes, commandments and decrees” (Dt 26:17) and God will make them His chosen people.
Saturday of the First Week of Lent
In today’s first reading we have the narrative of the establishment of the covenant between God and the Hebrews through the prophet Moses. This ends the section of Deuteronomy (or “Second Law”) which expounds on the law. Both parties of the covenant—God and the Hebrews—are to keep up their ends of the agreement. The Hebrews “are to walk in [God’s] ways and observe his statutes, commandments and decrees” (Dt 26:17) and God will make them His chosen people.
Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, apostle
AS we await the election of a new pope, today's feast assumes great significance. I’ve been thinking, for example, about how astonishing it is that two thousand years after Jesus lived on earth Christians can still think of ourselves as his followers. We don’t serve God in the abstract; instead we serve God as revealed to us by Jesus. There were many teachers in ancient times who had disciples then, yet very few if any can be said to still have disciples now. So it is even more remarkable that we can be counted among Jesus’ disciples. As I reflect on the readings for today I’m reminded of the ways that our ability to live as disciples of Jesus is a result of God’s providence and grace through the church.
Thursday of the First Week in Lent
Does God answer our prayers? That’s a tricky question because I think it depends on the prayer. Today’s gospel reading (Matthew 7: 7-12) from the Sermon on the Mount has Jesus teaching his disciples about prayer. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.” And he doesn’t exclude anyone, for Jesus’s words continue that “everyone” who asks, seeks and knocks will receive, find, and the door will be opened. So, why, then, do not all of our prayers seem to be answered?
Wednesday of the First Week in Lent
How often in making a decision do we seek a sign? Discerning a choice, especially between two seemingly good things, can be difficult. Sometimes we get a push toward the choice by the word of a friend, or a verse of Scripture that keeps appearing in our prayer. At other times we seek a sign, and fail to recognize the one that we have been given.
Tuesday of the First Week of Lent
For Christians the season of Lent is a time for renewal and recommitment. At this time of year I find myself thinking more about how to pray. Jesus’ instructions on how to pray in the gospel for today give some concrete advice on how to improve the practice of prayer in our lives.
Monday of the First Week of Lent
I am amazed at how much my day to day life of discipleship is influenced by my thinking. This may sound simple but have you ever noticed how one thought, given a chance, can grow in your mind and govern your whole attitude and way of seeing the world for an entire day—or longer? There are times when I realize I have allowed a conflict or resentment or a judgmental thought to grow in my mind and take over my thinking. Before I know it, my behavior is affected. When this happens, I find myself far away from God. I find I have taken control and I find myself justifying that thinking and the subsequent behavior. I also find I am restless and unhappy and very self absorbed. If I have accepted the call of Christ I must realize that it begins with first aligning my thinking with Jesus. When I “think” like Jesus I find am very close to God. I surrender control to him and let him “justify” what I am doing. Also, I realize that this is when I am able to live “other absorbed”—caring for and about others, much less concerned about myself and my agenda, and I am at peace.
Friday after Ash Wednesday
A word like "empty" is, when you really think about it, a pretty difficult concept to get. My five year old has been wondering: What does it mean to say a cupboard is empty and has nothing in it? She knows that means that the cupboard doesn't have "stuff" in it - but still, the cupboard is there, and at the least has air in it. An empty cupboard has many possibilities, too - it can be a train car or a house, or a place to put arts and crafts. So why do we say it is empty?
Thursday after Ash Wednesday
So here we are, already in the season of Lent, and today’s readings present the choice before us: choose life or choose death. The choice seems so obvious, but in our daily lives, day-to-day decisions, it isn’t as easy or as obvious as it sounds, is it?
Today’s first reading from the book of Deuteronomy (30: 15-20) reminds us that if we love God, walk in God’s ways and keep God’s commandments, we will live. We are also cautioned that if “you turn away your hearts and will not listen, but are led astray and adore and serve other gods, I tell you now that you will certainly perish.” Granted, I don’t think any of us are intentionally adoring or serving other gods, but before we rule ourselves out of this caution, let’s consider what other gods there might be in our lives.
Ash Wednesday
“Rend your hearts, not your garments.” (Joel 2.13a) Rend is a word we encounter seldom in the English language. In reflecting on the readings today it became clear that Lent is a process by which we rend our hearts. Rend in its best sense here means to tear apart fiercely. Joel is making clear that this change that is to occur in us is not superficial. He is challenging the people of God to give everything they have over to the Lord. Only a heart that has been rigorously broken open is ready to return fully to the Lord. Only a heart that has no more protection is truly ready to receive God’s grace and mercy.