Tuesday of Holy Week
There are many levels that today's first reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah can be read. For one thing, we see the affirmation of life in the womb. God knows us from the womb. At another level, we can understand this passage as relating to the prophet Isaiah himself, as the servant called by God. And yet, the passage itself gives this servant a name: Israel.
Monday of Holy Week
“Maundy”?
“Maundy" comes from the Latin word mandatum, or mandate/commandment, drawing on Jesus' words in John following the washing of the feet at the Last Supper, "I give you a new commandment. Love one another."
Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Today’s first reading, Psalm, and Gospel all have the theme of unity. The prophet Ezekiel in the first reading talked about the reunification of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah under God. The Responsorial Psalm referred to God as a shepherd who gathers a scattered flock of sheep. Caiaphas the high priest in the Gospel prophesied that Jesus’ death will unify people.
Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent
The day before my writing this reflection, Pope Francis’ message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations was released (in advance of the April 21st date). His message seems to be for all of us, all Christians no matter our walk of life: “As individuals and as communities, amid the variety of charisms and ministries, all of us are called to embody and communicate the Gospel message of hope in a world marked by epochal challenges.” Faced with global challenges as well as personal ones that “risk plunging us into resignation or defeatism,” we are encouraged to instead, “cultivate a gaze full of hope and work fruitfully in response to the vocation we have received, in service to God’s kingdom of love, justice and peace.” (Catholic News Service, March 19, 2024, usccb.org)
Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent
In today’s readings there are several references to God’s covenant. Although this term is used frequently in the Bible, I believe that it has lost some of its richness in today’s culture. The definition of covenant is “an agreement or promise between two people or groups to do (or not do) something specified.” The covenants that are made in our scripture have even greater purpose and meaning, since God is involved. Although covenants were made many years ago, these promises still impact us, and we are called to remember what purpose and meaning they bring for us and our lives.
Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
“Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, ‘If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,
and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’" Today’s Gospel begins with these extraordinary words of Jesus. Jesus came to set us free! Are you living in the reality of the freedom that Christ won for you?
Solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Today we celebrate the feast day of St. Joseph. There are so many things about the life of St. Joseph that are inspiring. As the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus, he plays a critical role in the upbringing of Jesus. But what I find most amazing is the way that he lives out his role in salvation history with quiet, simple steadfast faith in God and complete obedience to God’s will for his life.
Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent
We hear once again the well known account of the woman brought to Jesus, having been caught in the act of adultery. Some of us may find this intense drama about shame and sin and stoning hardly “good news.” To this I offer the following quote from Irish writer Fr. Martin Hogan:
Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent
In today’s Gospel, some in the crowd are surprised that Jesus is from Galilee and don’t believe that he is a prophet or the Messiah/Christ. “But others said, ‘The Christ will not come from Galilee will he?’” (John 7:41). “‘Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee,’” (John 7:52). What are our expectations? Perhaps what God does isn’t what we expect. The Gospels are full of these reversals.
Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Lately, I have stood in solidarity with friends and family experiencing feelings from across the emotional spectrum. This week, we welcomed a new niece into the world. Our kids are excited to have a new cousin to play with at family gatherings. Not a day earlier, we received heartbreaking news of the sudden death of a dear friend’s father and that another pair of friends are experiencing pregnancy loss. So when I sat with today’s readings, I was instantly drawn to the psalm and could not help but picture Mary at the foot of the cross.
Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Today’s reading from the Book of Exodus always gives me pause.
According to this text, our God would nurture a wrath so great that He would say the following: “I see how stiff-necked this people is. Let me alone, then, that my wrath may blaze up against them to consume them.”
Am I supposed to worship that God?
Where is the grace? Where is the mercy? Where is the love?
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
“Thus says the LORD: In a time of favor I answer you, on the day of salvation I help you . . .” What Isaiah prophesied, we know and experience in Christ. Have you noticed that this past Sunday we turned a corner in our journey toward the Easter Triduum? The readings have shifted from their focus on repentance and have taken on a more hopeful tone. In this reflection, I want to take a different approach and simply highlight the words of hope that the Church gives us today. May they resonate deeply within your being.
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Scripture Readings
One of the debates we encounter throughout John's Gospel, for example in today's reading, is the issue of what constitutes work on the Sabbath. In the case of these readings, the question revolves around healing. Can one heal on the Sabbath? Jesus' answer would clearly be yes, one can heal on the Sabbath. But there is far more than simply the first century Jewish debate about what constitutes working on the Sabbath at issue here in today's Gospel text.
Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent
“Sir, come down before my son dies.”
In the 1st century, Herodians looked down on Galileans as “less than.” So it is astounding that a royal official respectfully seeks out a peasant of low stock, Jesus of Nazareth. Doing so, his reputation would have suffered among the other officials, becoming an object of scorn if word got out.
The Herodians were one of several Jewish sects and all sects desired independence from Rome. But for the Herodians it took the form of replacing one tyranny for another, making mad and malignant Herod and his descendants absolute monarchs. (Mad and malignant leaders with cult-like followers remain with us to this day, even in 21st century America.)
Jesus is addressed as “sir” a dozen times in the Gospels. Despite the official's frustration, he puts aside cultural taboos by acknowledging Jesus as such. The term shows respect and honor, neither which the Romans or Herodians gave to Galileans.
Saturday of the Third Week of Lent
Today’s Gospel is very much about pride. Through the Pharisee and the tax collector, this reading gives us insight into the Lenten practices of fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. In the Pharisee, we see how fasting and almsgiving can be used to boost our own ego as he felt superior to others because of doing these religious practices. His prayer is interesting too. Even though he addressed God, Jesus described the Pharisee’s prayer by saying that the Pharisee “spoke this prayer to himself.” Jesus seemed to be implying that prayers that are self-glorifying aren’t really prayers, but pep talks which God can’t seem to respond to. On the other hand, the tax collector acknowledged his need for God’s mercy. Through this parable, Jesus taught what is reflected in today’s Responsorial Psalm and first reading: God wants a “contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled,” (Psalm 51:19). How have you offered a contrite and humble spirit to God this Lent?
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
This year I decided to listen to the “Bible in the Year” podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz as a New Year’s resolution. Although we are only in March, I have noted that much of scripture is focused on looking back and learning from past experiences. Today’s readings seem to echo this concept of reflection; I realize that using this mindset can be a valuable approach to growing in faith.
Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent
Our readings today have much to say to us about hearing, receiving, obeying, and passing on God’s Word. I submit that the integrity and fruitfulness of this fidelity on the part of God’s people depends on the extent of our love for God. May we learn love as the key to obedience.
Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent
I sometimes wish that I had a more dramatic conversion narrative. Having grown up in a Christian home and accepting Christianity from an earlier age, I have sometimes envied those who have more of a personal story to tell about their faith. It has often seemed that it would mean more to me or be more ‘real’ if I did have such a story to tell. I sometimes find it hard to relate to the man in the story, who is described as a great debtor, because I often don’t think of myself in those terms. And yet I know the story is meant for me just as much as for anyone else. I think Jesus is cautioning Peter (and us) here about not taking our salvation for granted. No matter what we think we have been saved from, we still need to work on forgiving others.
Monday of the Third Week of Lent
When the people of Nazareth heard Jesus they were filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through them and went away. Luke 4:28-30
We are so used to seeing Jesus as the face of the God of love that we forget that he was an agitator. This is especially true in our first written Gospel, Mark, who supplied the basis for Matthew & Luke.