Category: Lent

Greetings on this the Third Sunday of Lent
Readings: Exodus 17:3-7; Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9; Romans 5:1-2, 5-8; John 4:5-42

Summary

The Samaritan Woman

Is the LORD in our midst or not? Oh, that today you would hear his voice. If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him and he would have given you living water. The water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. We know that this is truly the savior of the world (Ex 17:7; PS 95:7b; Jn 4:10, 14b; Rom 5:8; Jn 4:42b).

Reflection

Lord, you are truly the Savior of the world; give me living water, that I may never thirst again (Jn 4:42, 15).

Jacob’s well was there. Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well. It was about noon (Jn 4:6).

Jacob’s well brings us back to the shared history and shared relationship… and that our rest in the Lord. The well is the place and hour where the entire covenant history meets one tired and thirsty person. It is the hour of revelation — the noon encounter that exposes and heals – prefigures the noon of the Cross – Jesus present in our deepest need.

In our gospel portion today, Jesus reminds us the Lord is in our midst: since the beginning From the exit of the Garden (See Gen 4:26b), to Abraham, to Jacob, to Moses, to Jesus incarnate and Samaritan woman’s personal encounter. Everyone is within the midst (and the mist) of the Lord.

Personal Reflection

It is a shared thirst in our gospel portion today. The woman thirsts – even beyond what she thought would satisfy – and Jesus thirsts for us to be reconciled with the Father. These thirsts are one in the same.

Give me a drink. Can now be understood as — let us share the Chalice of love.

This story today can be expressed simply: The Meeting of Thirsts. The Divine for the Human, the Human for the Divine.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030826.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
Readings: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20; Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Summary

[He realized] I will get up and go to my father and shall say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. [He reasoned] Who is a God like you, who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance; Who does not persist in anger forever, but instead delights in mercy. [He is seen] His father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. [Together] But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found (Luke 15:18; Mi 7:18; Lk 15:20bc, 32).

This is the heart of Lent.

Reflection

For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
(Ps 103:11-12)

Personal Reflection

Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
(Ps 103:1-2)

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030726.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Friday of the Second Week of Lent
Readings: Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a; Psalm 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21; Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46

Summary

The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
by the Lord has this been done,
and it is wonderful in our eyes (Mt 21:42)

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son; so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life (Jn 3:16).

Israel loved Joseph best of all his sons, for he was the child of his old age; and he had made him a long ornamented tunic. When his brothers saw that their father loved him best of all his brothers, they hated him so much that they could not say a kind word to him. Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit. (Gen 37:3-4; Mt 21:43).

Reflection

In our first reading today we are given the story of extreme jealousy. Joseph, beloved, becomes victim of his very own brothers. And so too, Jesus.

I do not wish to give jealousy the center stage in this reflection. It is an emotion we must all grow out of and through for some. Instead I will focus on the will of God. The Lord is not limited by our limitations and bad intentions. It is a marvel how he rescues us in all our distress. His faithfulness is our cornerstone. Jesus is the cornerstone – ultimate and personified.

Personal Reflection

What anchors you?

This lent try not to be discouraged by slipups or the words of others. Our cornerstone (or anchor) is Jesus and he is a marvel of divine love.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030626.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Thursday of the Second Week of Lent
Readings: Jeremiah 17:5-10; Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6; Luke 16:19-31

Summary

Blessed are those who trust in the LORD. Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance. I, the LORD, explore the mind and test the heart, Giving to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their deeds. (Jer 17:7a; See Luke 8:15; Jer 17:10).

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.

There are many lens with which one can contemplate the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The Church today asks us to encounter the gospel story through the lense of True Wisdom which Jeremiah describes as those who Trust in Men and those who Trust in the Lord.

Trusting In Men

Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh.
Like a a barren bush, stands in a lava waste, and enjoys no change of season.

Trusting in the Lord

A tree planted beside the waters.
Fears not the heat, shows no distress, bears fruit.

Reflection

The parable of the rich man, shows us the very depth of the problem Jeremiah describes: More tortuous than all else is the human heart, beyond remedy; who can understand it? (Jer 17:9).

“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores (Lk 16:19-20).

It really isn’t necessary to go beyond the first sentence. Jeremiah describes this as a torturous existence. Not Lazarus, the rich man.

Who can understand it? Living luxuriously while others starve, even at our front door, is not visually torturous yet such it is.

Perhaps, we can understand it by taking the vision that follows as the current state of life for the rich man.

1. Lonely. “I am suffering torment in these flames.”
2. Isolated. “Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger…” — he cannot even speak directly to Lazarus.
3. Imprisoned. “A great chasm has been established.” Have we built such walls ourselves?
4. Orphaned by choice. “Send him to my father’s house.” Even his family becomes distant.
5. Without faith. “Neither will they be persuaded even if someone should rise from the dead.”

Personal Reflection

Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
(PS 1:1-2)

Walk in the counsel of the wise.
Walk in the ways of innocence.
Keep company with the considerate.
Keep your joy in faithful and praiseful relation with the Lord.

In finance we call it ‘a Trust’ – something placed in another’s care for safekeeping.
What do we trust?
Trust in the Lord.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030526.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent
Readings: Jeremiah 18:18-20; Psalm 31:5-6, 14, 15-16; Matthew 20:17-28

Summary

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve [disciples] aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.” (Mt 20:17-19).

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached him with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. Whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. f Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”(Mt 20:20, 24, 27-28).

The gospel portion today takes us through the messianic mission at lightning speed!

It includes all aspects but the four principal ones are:

The prediction of Jesus.
The motherly request for her sons.
The indignation of the apostles.
The correction by Jesus.

Packed with all the themes of being a follower of Jesus.

Complete Self-giving.
Worry for the Kingdom (even when self-serving).
Filial corrections.
Return to humility and self-sacrifice.

Remember that I stood before you to speak on their behalf, to turn your wrath away from them (Jer 18:20b).

Reflection

As we encounter The Third Prediction of the Passion and The Request of James and John, we meet ourselves in the presence of Jesus.

Jesus is clear, we confuse.
Jesus is giving, we are cementing our position.
Jesus is engaging for lifting up, we chastise.
Jesus is returning to his purpose, we then adjust to serve as he did/does.

Personal Reflection

I think we make these round trips more frequently and just as quickly as the gospel presents it to us today. Rapid fire! Reactive! Judgmental!

Jesus says, slow down. Taking my chalice is a deliberate and contemplative movement. Self-interest is for salvation not acquisition. Service is for others.

Lord, when I am in rapid-fire mode… slow me down too!

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030426.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Monday of the Second Week of Lent
Readings: Daniel 9:4b-10; Psalm 79:8, 9, 11 and 13; Luke 6:36-38

Summary

Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” (Lk 6:37c-38).

The greatest gift we can give is forgiveness. The greatest gift from the Lord is forgiveness.

• In good measure (true and real).
• Packed together (fullness and complete forgiveness).
• Shaken down (to the very core of our being, nothing forgotten).
• Overflowing (such that gift of forgiveness blesses everyone around you).

Reflection

Mercy is what defines forgiveness and forgiveness is the action.

In our first reading from the Prophet Daniel’s vision, we have the lament of a nation fallen before other powers of the world, a people needing deliverance and forgiveness. From our psalmist today, he gives us the the communal lament psalm 79. In this lament the one praying goes beyond their own needs and prays for the needs of others as if the need is their own. This is the nature of forgiveness.

Of all the difficulties of life, natural disasters, Principalities and Powers, it is the sin of failing to forgive that binds us most hurtfully.

Instead of focusing on ‘why can’t I forgive him/them/her’ instead pray for them as if their failing is our own. “Lord, forgive we who…”

Personal Reflection

A Prayer:

Let the prisoners' sighing come before you;
with your great power free those doomed to death.
Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
through all generations we will declare your praise.
(PS 79:13)

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030226.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Second Sunday of Lent
Readings: Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22; 2 Timothy 1:8b-10; Matthew 17:1-9

Summary

Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you (PS 33:22).

When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone (Mt 17:6-8).

Reflection

Abram trusted. The Psalmist trusted. Paul instructed Timothy to trust in the Lord.

Abram went as the LORD directed him (Gen 12:4a).
Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield (PS 33:22).
So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord (2 Tim 1:8a).

In the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah spoke and pointed to Jesus. The Father, too pointed to Jesus, from a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

Personal Reflection

Let us see Jesus, resplendent.
Let us see Jesus through the witness of the Father, Moses (Law) and Elijah (the Prophets) combined.
Let us listen to him.
When everything else is removed, may it be enough for us that Jesus remains.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030126.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Saturday of the First Week of Lent
Readings: Deuteronomy 26:16-19; Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8; Matthew 5:43-48

Summary

Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Cor 6:2b).

I haven’t traveled with you through the lectionary this week due to a vibrant schedule which included the Ordination of a Bishop!

But allow me a recap for you to consider in your prayers today.

Monday through Saturday are a set of three Problem-Solution gospel portions.

Monday – The Judgment of Nations.
Tuesday – How to Pray (the Our Father).

Wednesday – The Demand for a Sign.
Thursday – Answer to Prayer (Ask, Seek, Knock).

Friday- Teaching About Anger.
Saturday – Love of Enemies (But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you (Mt 5:44).

The answer each time?

Prayer.
Prayer.
Prayer.

Reflection

My short reflection today is an overarch of the sacred gospel readings from the entire week. Prayer is not simply our best tool — it is our participation in the very life of God.

Personal Reflection

Today, of all the things I have to do, prayer, prayer, prayer should be number one.

Because…

I don’t want the Judgment
I want to see answers and help from the divine love.
I want to be a part of the transcendent love of Jesus as he did: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing (Lk 23:34).

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022826.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry