Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent
In today’s gospel, Jesus speaks about testifying. Merriam Webster says that to testify is “to make a statement based on personal knowledge or belief or to bear witness. “ In the Bible, to “testify” often indicates that the individual is sharing something that they have experienced or observed particularly about God, who God is, and what God has done. Who or what gives testimony to Jesus in our lives, and how are we called to testify to what we believe?
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
John 5 begins with Jesus healing a paralyzed man on the sabbath (our Gospel yesterday). We need to understand today’s text in light of that sign. Jesus makes clear that this sign reveals his unique relationship as Son of the Father and the divine power with which he carries out his mission. Jesus’ signs, his miracles, are intended to reveal his divinity and bring us into relationship with him. As such they are much more than just mighty deeds! When we read the Gospels, we should do so opening ourselves up to the living Christ who is also our healer. Unlike any other historical account, the Gospels reveal someone who is alive and present. These sacred texts put us into direct contact with their protagonist, our Lord, the living Christ.* As we engage today’s Gospel, let us do so in faith, with radical receptivity, and a desire to be drawn more deeply into the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the mission to which he calls us.
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Today’s readings are all about healing water – and therefore set us up for deep reflection about Baptism, our own and celebrating with those entering the church in just 3 weeks.
Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent
“Here comes the sun! It's been a long cold lonely winter. Here comes the sun. It seems like years since it's been here. Here comes the sun. I feel that ice is slowly melting. Here comes the sun. It seems like years since it's been here. Here comes the sun. Here comes the sun. It's alright.”
—The Beatles.
The above lyrics from George Harrison are echoed in today’s sun burst of a message from Isaiah: “There shall be joy and happiness…I will exalt in people. No more weeping or the sound of crying…I create joy and my people to be a delight…” (Isaiah 65:17-21).
Saturday of the Third Week of Lent
There were many things I anticipated before becoming a mother: how sweet it would be to wear my baby snuggled to my chest. How much I would love learning about this tiny human who was an amazing mix of me, my husband and also something entirely new. How proud I would be to wear the title of mother.
When our son was born, all of that was true. And, my earliest days of mothering were a crash course in sacrifice.
Friday of the Third Week of Lent
Speak the words. That’s all we need to do.
“Take words with you,” the prophet Hosea instructs, “and return to the Lord.”
So, let’s prayerfully prepare our words, our confessions, and repeat them in whispers to inscribe them on our hearts. Then, let’s bring our words to God.
Thursday of the Third Week of Lent
We implore your majesty, O Lord, that, as the feast of our salvation draws ever closer, so we may press forward all the more eagerly towards the worthy celebration of the Paschal Mystery. - Collect (opening) prayer of the day.
Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent
As I read through Moses’ warning to the Israelite people, I could not help but feel as if he were speaking these words directly to me. As they entered the land they were to occupy, he told them, “However, take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children's children” Deuteronomy 4:9.
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
Today, our usual Lenten observance is interrupted with the wonderful feast-day of the Annunciation. The Angel Gabriel appears to Mary with surprising news that she is going to bear Jesus, the Son of God and gift to the world. The conversation between Mary and the angel is instructive for our relationship with God.
Monday of the Third Week of Lent
Was Jesus always a trouble maker? Or was he always someone who swam against the tide? Remember the old adage, “Jesus came to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” He liked to provoke and ruffle feathers. There are hints of that in today’s Gospel. His neighbors in Nazareth, who knew him from infancy, are ready to hurl him off a cliff!
Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us about God’s forgiveness. The Parable of the Prodigal Son we read today is one of a series of a few parables that illustrate the mercy of God. The first parable Jesus starts with is the Parable of the Lost Sheep in which the shepherd leaves his flock of 99 sheep to find the one sheep that strayed away. The one after that is the Parable of the Lost Coin. A widow loses one coin and carefully searches her whole house for it. Then comes the parable in today’s Gospel. In all these stories, there is rejoicing when the lost is found.
Friday of the Second Week of Lent
Jealousy can destroy. 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. Maybe you know a personal story of jealousy destroying family bonds and connection. Today we read another familiar Old Testament story of sibling jealousy, the story of Joseph and his brothers. I invite you to reflect with me on this timeless story.
Thursday of the Second Week of Lent
For those of us who are blessed with the gift of sight, every second while awake we are surrounded by the colors, shapes, movements, textures, and details of the world around us. Although we can look around, how often do we really “see” what is right in front of us? So much of what is right in front of us is lost to our gaze because of inattention or distraction. Today’s gospel story reminds us to pay attention to what we see, and respond to these sights with faith filled actions.
Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Today is the Solemnity of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This celebration is a big deal! Notice that the Church includes a reading from the Epistles today, just as we receive on Sundays. This Solemnity should get our attention and capture our imagination in prayer as we reflect with gratitude upon the life and witness of St Joseph and his role as our Blessed Mother’s spouse and our Lord Jesus’ adoptive, legal father. As we meditate on the life of St Joseph, let us consider how we might emulate him in our love for God, our families, and every neighbor.
Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
Prince of Gomorra! What a name! Why is Isaiah calling his readers this? There must be some bad people that the sacred author is addressing, right? But rather than punishment or vengeance, God is calling for repentance. ‘Set things right. Make justice your aim.’
If you’re reading this, you probably don’t consider yourself a prince or princess of Sodom. So is there anything in today’s reading for us, or is this just something we can throw at sinners even worse than you and I?
Monday of the Second Week in Lent
“We, your people and the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks for you forever; through all generations we will declare your praise.” - Psalm 79:13
The above verse from today’s Psalm is appropriate for the feast day of Ireland’s apostle. Although bonds of affection have strained in recent years, few countries have been as loyal to the Chair of Peter. (Winston Churchill once said, “The problem with the Irish is that they refuse to be English!”)
Saturday of the First Week of Lent
Today’s Gospel reading presents us with a challenging message: “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:45). We are encouraged to examine our relationships or non-relationships with others and to question our interactions with them.
Friday of the First Week of Lent
Recently, I saw a car parked in such a way that it covered one-and-a-quarter spaces. Its passenger-side tires sat several feet to the right of the yellow line. I know you’ve seen this before, too. The parking lot was packed, and the vehicle's irregular position eliminated an extra space.
What an inconvenience (unless you arrive on a motorcycle)!
I wish I had thought nothing of it and continued peacefully with my day.
But, alas, my heart shouted, “Raqa!”
“Fool!”
My interior name-calling did not affect the other driver one bit. It didn’t make my day any better, either.
Thursday of the First Week of Lent
We hear from the Book of Esther today. During the liturgical year the Church reads from Esther only twice. And always around the Feast of Purim (which takes place tomorrow).
The Book of Esther is unique as biblical works go. First of all a woman is the hero of the tale. A stunning beauty, to the king of the Persians she appears to be timid and simple, just the ticket — a gorgeous wife who won’t give his majesty any trouble, who will remain quiet and demure. Little did he know!
Wednesday of the First Week of Lent
After returning home from a mission trip (where I volunteered to work with children who had been removed from their homes as a result of the situations there), I was seriously angry at God. Realizing the anger was something that I needed to deal with I sought the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
“Jonah, isn’t he the whale guy?” This was the question that I asked the priest who had just assigned me reading Jonah as part of a penance. As a teenager who was unfamiliar with the story beyond the children’s illustrated version of the Bible,I failed to see any connection whatsoever between my confession and this penance.