Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Some in the crowd who heard these words of Jesus said,
"This is truly the Prophet."
Others said, "This is the Christ."
But others said, "The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he?
Does not Scripture say that the Christ will be of David's family
and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?" (John 7: 40-41)
In Jesus’ time, people expected certain things from the Messiah, such as being from Bethlehem and a descendant of King David. Most likely, they also expected him to be a leader who would militarily overthrow the Romans. Jesus, however, was a nonviolent figure from Galilee of seemingly unknown origin (they did not realize he was from David’s family). Likewise, today’s Gospel challenges us to examine our expectations of Jesus.
Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Maybe you’ve heard the saying something like, “To grieve is to have loved.” We naturally grieve the loss of something or someone we have loved. This is what came to mind as I reflected on today’s psalm response, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.” I can’t imagine anyone choosing to have their heart broken, yet being brokenhearted is the result of having cared, having loved, having risked opening our hearts enough to feel the loss, the hurt, the heartbreak when it comes.
Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
I recently heard a podcast about how important it is for parents and grandparents to pass along their faith through words and actions. All of the readings today, highlight people who believed in God and God’s promises, and lived out their faith in a way so that future generations saw these promises come to fulfillment. Each of us today, no matter what station we are in our lives, is called to do the same.
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
As I pray with today’s readings, one of my mom’s favorite photos comes to mind. It is a photo of her standing by the sink with three of her young grandchildren standing on chairs, helping her do the dishes. Mom did most of the work, for sure. But they gladly stood beside her, doing what they could. They were “big stuff” on their chairs, working with mom and helping in this important task. Mom invited them to the work, because she loved and trusted them. They loved doing it because they loved her.
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
I find myself sometimes being slow to realize when God is offering grace in my life, slow to pick up on clues pointing me in one direction or another and to recognize God’s voice speaking to me through the events of my life. The readings for today suggest that I need to pay more attention to the ways that grace is offered to me on a daily basis.
Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent
The prophet Isaiah is significant to our Advent and Lenten journeys. Many of us have been led to believe that prophets “foretell the future.” But in Catholic and mainline Protestant scholarship, prophets are seers of the big patterns; they see what is always and forever true. They are forthtellers and not foretellers.
Saturday of the Third Week of Lent
Jesus addresses a parable to all of us today. Our Lord reminds each one of us that we are sinners in need of God’s mercy. May the life-giving words of the Gospel call us to repentance and deep conversion this day. And may we pray with sincerity the verse before the Gospel, If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Friday of the Third Week of Lent
This may sound strange, but sometimes I forget that God is God and I don’t have to carry the burden of the world (or even of my clients or family members) alone. I don’t want to believe that I think I am God (or a god or goddess), but I’m aware that I am at times guilty of acting or thinking/worrying as if it’s all up to me. It’s actually a relief to me when I have those moments of realization, as arrogant as it sounds, that I am not God! One of my favorite prayers is a rather simple and honest one of Pope Saint John XXIII who apparently would say before sleep at the end of the day, “It’s your Church, Lord. I’m going to bed!”
Thursday of the Third Week of Lent
"By the power of Beelzebub" refers to an accusation made by his opponents against Jesus in today’s Gospel (Luke 11:14-23). Certain Pharisees claimed our Lord cast out demons using the power of the "ruler of demons," rather than divine power, a charge Jesus refutes. In other contexts, Beelzebub (literally "Lord of the Flies") is associated with gluttony, appearing in ancient Babylonian writings, medieval demonology and modern fiction with various demonic abilities.
Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent
Family life is spirit-filled. When it’s healthy, it is life-giving. Care, respect, serving one another, and being able to rely on one another - these are foundational to healthy family life. Ideally, we’d need only one rule, love one another. Love is expressed in showing up for one another day after day, doing the dishes before we are asked, taking care of our own things, recognizing when someone is overwhelmed, and taking care of them…Practically, we need the structure that rules or guides provide - who is responsible for the dishes, the trash, paying the electric bill, sorting the laundry (and making sure the socks aren’t in a ball when they go through the laundry)?
Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent
Have you ever experienced being forgiven in a way that transformed you ?
I recall a misunderstanding between myself and a friend that I inadvertently hurt by being late to our planned appointment. I was inconsiderate by keeping my friend waiting, while I delayed and spent time talking with someone else. Though it was an important visitor I was speaking with, I had gotten into a bad habit of running late. When I finally showed up for our planned get-together time, my friend was very angry with me and couldn’t speak to me. Dismayed, I sought advice from others on what I should do. They understood both perspectives and said - You could start by simply saying you’re sorry. It was a simple response, and I realized how difficult it was for me to do. I was rationalizing and making excuses for my behavior, and not simply facing my shortcomings and the feelings of my friend. I had failed my friend, and not considered their needs while I tended to my own. With resolve, I mustered an apology and told my friend I was sorry, and what I could have done better and we were able to work it out. I am grateful that we have remained friends to this day, and this experience of realizing the vulnerability and preciousness of the friendship and not taking my friend’s patience for granted, led me to a deeper understanding. I am grateful that I had to face the pain in this situation, and ponder more deeply the impacts of my behavior. My friend accepted my apology, which relieved me. This and other experiences of forgiveness have deepened my ability to empathize and feel with the other person. The process of forgiving and needing forgiveness is lifelong and a beautiful way that bonds us in God’s love.
Monday of the Third Week of Easter
“Little Yeshu (Jesus) is a bit too big for his britches!”
Granted that the above quote is not found directly in today’s Gospel, but it might have been. It’s been said that “you can never go home again.” Jesus certainly finds this to be true. Folks in Nazareth remember Yosef & Maryam’s boy. They knew Yeshu as a toddler needing a diaper change. They knew him as an awkward, gawky adolescent. After his bar mitzvah they recall him sitting in the front section of the local synagogue every Shabbat with Yosef and the other men.
Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
If the pollsters have it right, we have a lot of “prodigals” in our midst. According to surveys conducted over the last several years, the fastest growing group in the US with respect to religious identification is the group referred to as “the nones.” Those are individuals who, when asked about their religious commitment or affiliation, typically say something to the effect that they don’t identify with any church institution but that they might have spiritual leanings. Something like that.
Friday of the Second Week of Lent
Even as adults, my sisters and I sometimes joke about being the favorite of our father’s three daughters. Thankfully, our parents didn’t show favoritism, at least not intentionally. But I’m sure I’ve been guilty of harboring feelings of jealousy toward one or the other of them at times. Jealousy within families is old, at least as old as the book of Genesis. We know the familiar story of Cain and Abel and how jealousy led Cain to kill his own brother. Today we read another familiar Old Testament story of sibling jealousy, the story of Joseph and his brothers.
Thursday of the Second Week of Lent
Throughout our day we encounter many individuals. Often we pass by them without even recognizing their presence. Today’s readings remind us that we should not only pay attention to those in our midst, but be mindful of the ways where we can support them with love and compassion. Relying on the God’s grace to support our words and actions allows us to minister to others and helps us to bear fruit in our daily lives.
Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent
Jeremiah calls to God, “Heed me.” “Listen.” “Remember.” Jeremiah is tired, weary from the scrutiny. He has done his best to be faithful. He has responded to God’s call and proclaimed God’s Word to the people, calling them to change their ways. At best, the people misunderstood him; at worst, they understood and refused to believe. Now they are coming after him.
Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
As we enter deeper into Lent, some of the challenges get more pointed. Today Jesus points out that we must stay focused on humble service in community.
Monday of the Second Week of Lent
Today’s Gospel is the middle section of what has been called Luke’s “Discipleship Manual.” Here Jesus lays out (similar to Matthew 5-7) “how to be a disciple.”
Saturday of the First Week of Lent
In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls us to imitate God the Father by being perfect in love. He has given us six examples of what that looks like in this section of the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:21-48). Today, we have the sixth imperative, “. . . love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you . . .” This is no easier for us than it was for Jesus’ contemporaries. Let us ask God for the graces we need for a deeper conversion of heart that we might be perfected in God’s love.
First Friday of Lent
“Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked?” (Ezekiel 18:23a) Although the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel tells us this was God’s rhetorical-like question, I found myself asking myself that question as I read today’s first reading. If I’m completely honest, I have (like most people, I suspect), enjoyed an occasional Good vs Evil movie or novel in which the wicked character dies, especially if their death involves what we perceive to be much deserved suffering. And I’m sure I have been tempted to rejoice at the actual death of a seemingly evil or wicked person. Whether or not we derive any pleasure from the death of a wicked person, thankfully our God does not.