Greetings on this the Thursday of the First Week in Lent Readings: Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25; Psalm 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8; Matthew 7:7-12
Summary
Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets (Mt 7:12).
Reflection
Under the weather Thursday, so this is the incomplete reflection.
Personal Reflection
Perhaps that is the point, in good times or bad, the Golden Rule applies. Not for when we are all sunshine but when we too are not our best. Seek , ask and Knock – relying upon the Lord for yourself and seek, ask and Knock for others.
Greetings on this the Wednesday of the First Week in Lent Readings: Jonah 3:1-10; Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19; Luke 11:29-32
Summary
To hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. … [to hear] the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here. (Lk 11:31bc, 32b).
There is something greater here. Wisdom and preaching are wonderful gifts and worthy of our attention. But there is something greater here.
Everyone knew Solomon was the wisest of all men and Jonah was the recipient of a great mercy and the miracle of surviving the raging seas. Both are well attested.
Jesus – possessing, being and – having both wisdom and preaching and healing in the marvelous telling of his life in sacred scripture. He, himself, is pointing to something greater for us, yes? An introspection of the self.
Still.
Jesus is indeed the Greater One — but He reveals the greater life we are called to live: a heart contrite and humbled.
Our psalmist brings us the greater Jesus wants us to adopt and put into practice. A lament, the most famous of the seven Penitential Psalms – Psalm 51.
A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn (Ps 51:19b). Mercy, for us and forgiveness for others.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me (Ps 51:3-4).
Reflection
Forgiveness is embedded in all the sacred readings today.
The Lord desired repentance for Nineveh to prevent their destruction.
The sailors of the ship desired forgiveness for tossing Jonah into the sea: Then they cried to the LORD: “Please, O LORD, do not let us perish for taking this man’s life; do not charge us with shedding innocent blood, for you, LORD, have accomplished what you desired.” (Jnh 1:14).
David, having sinned, wrote and tried to live out the psalm in repentance and desire for forgiveness.
Jesus, speaking to the crowds, recalled The sign of Jonah – the deepest meaning is the imperative of forgiveness. And should I not be concerned over the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot know their right hand from their left (Jnh 4:11).
Personal Reflection
My friends. Forgiveness is hard to do. Jonah wasn’t a jerk. He was a bruised person and angry for revenge. He wanted his justice.
Balancing Beam is a pretty good image for keeping the right ‘DO’ to do in Lent
Greetings on this the Monday of the First Week of Lent Readings: Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18; Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15; Matthew 25:31-46
Summary
The LORD said to Moses: Speak to the whole Israelite community and tell them: Be holy, for I, the LORD your God, am holy. Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (Lev 19:1-2; 2 Cor 6:2b).
Perfectly Holy
In our first reading today, Moses is called and all the people are called to be Holy as the Lord is Holy. Then the list of things we do that are, well, not holy.
Do not – ten things
It’s a long list. There are ten (10) things to ‘NOT’ do. Since we are quite familiar with the not list (we know them well because we have broken them), the ‘do’ list stands out as a higher expression of holiness. What it ‘is’, not what it ‘is not’.
Do – three things
You shall fear the Lord. You shall judge rightly. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
All of it punctuated with the divine presence: Do or don’t do – but know this: I, the LORD, am your God (Lev 19 verses 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18).
Reflection
The Judgment of the Nations
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ (Mt 25:31-40).
Personal Reflection
In our gospel portion today a hope and a warning. The hope is simple: act justly and with compassion and the Lord will remember your ways. Act ‘not’ and, the same.
Is anyone perfect in these things? How can we know when we are self-justifying or being prudent? How can we know when we are being generous or self-serving?
Seek holiness — perfection belongs to God.
Our psalmist comes to our rescue again today! Hear these words and allow them to melt your fears and strengthen you resolve to be holy. Here is our responsorial for today:
Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15
The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart. The command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye.
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; The ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just.
Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart find favor before you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Father and Son – left behind – stone, tower and vainglory
Greetings on this the First Sunday of Lent Readings: Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7; Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 17; Romans 5:12-19 or 5:12, 17-19; Matthew 4:1-11
Summary
The Temptation of Jesus
The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” [and then] said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. [and then] he said to him, “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.” (Mt 4:3,6,9).
NABRE Commentary
Jesus, proclaimed Son of God at his baptism, is subjected to a triple temptation. Obedience to the Father is a characteristic of true sonship, and Jesus is tempted by the devil to rebel against God, overtly in the third case, more subtly in the first two. Each refusal of Jesus is expressed in language taken from the Book of Deuteronomy (Dt 8:3; 6:13, 16). The testings of Jesus resemble those of Israel during the wandering in the desert and later in Canaan, and the victory of Jesus, the true Israel and the true Son, contrasts with the failure of the ancient and disobedient “son,” the old Israel. (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mt/4?11#48004011)
Franciscan Commentary
They are all temptations to the misuse of power for purposes less than God’s purpose. They are sequentially the misuse of practical everyday power, the misuse of religious power, and the misuse of political power. These are the constant tragedies that keep defeating humanity. Jesus passes all three tests, and thus “the devil left him” because he could not be used for lesser purposes. If you face such demons in yourself, God can and will use you mightily. Otherwise, you will, for sure, be used!
But let me point out something we almost always fail to notice. We can only be tempted to something that is good on some level, partially good, or good for some, or just good for us and not for others. Temptations are always about “good” things, or we could not be tempted: in these cases “bread,” “Scripture,” and “kingdoms in their magnificence.” Most people’s daily ethical choices are not between total good and total evil, but between various shades of good, a partial good that is wrongly perceived as an absolute good (because of the self as the central reference point), or even evil that disguises itself as good. These are what get us into trouble.
—from the book Wondrous Encounters: Scriptures for Lent by Richard Rohr, OFM
Personal Reflection
The strength of our identity with the Lord as Son or Daughter an inverted, direct correspondence to the temptation to use the stone, the tower or the vainglory
If I AM a Son, then no need to test it, prove it, nor gloat about it.
I am naked, yet not ashamed — for my clothing is the righteousness given by the Father.
Greetings on this the Saturday after Ash Wednesday Readings: Isaiah 58:9b-14; Psalm 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; Luke 5:27-32
Summary
The Divine Plan
I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord, but rather in his conversion, that he may live (Ezekiel 33:11).
[They] complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.” (Lk 5:30-32)
The Change Needed
If you remove the yoke from among you, the accusing finger, and malicious speech; If you lavish your food on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; Then your light shall rise in the darkness, and your gloom shall become like midday (Isa 58:9b-10).
The Human Response
Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth (PS 86:11ab)
Incline your ear, O LORD; answer me, for I am afflicted and poor. Keep my life, for I am devoted to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God. (Ps 86:1-2)
Personal Reflection
In our gospel portion today, Jesus is our physician. He calls us (like the Levi today), he listens to us, he attends to our wounds – however the wounds came to be.
I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners (Lk 5:32).
Call me, Lord, that I may follow. Listen to me, Lord, that I may name my pain and error. Heal me that I may serve faithfully.
Greetings on this the Friday after Ash Wednesday Readings: Isaiah 58:1-9a; Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19; Matthew 9:14-15
Summary
“Why do we fast, but you do not see it? afflict ourselves, but you take no note?” (Isa 58:3).
Authentic Fasting That Leads to Blessing
Is it not sharing your bread with the hungry, bringing the afflicted and the homeless into your house; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own flesh? (Is 58:7)
Reflection
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. (PS 51:3-4)
Personal Reflection
Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. (Mt 9:15).
We fast not to be seen — but to be changed. We fast in the ways Isaiah explains fasting is in its holiest form. Yes, we eat less but more substantially we share what we have. Even in Lent, we do not fast on Sunday — because joy cannot be eclipsed by discipline.
Humility before the Lord, Fasting and sharing. These are the corner stones of faith. And, Joy. Do not fast merely as a visible sign. Fast as a sign of sorrow for the joy we have neglected.
Even the earliest Christians were warned not to fast as a public performance… But as for your fasts, let them not be with the hypocrites, for they fast on the second and fifth days of the week, but do ye fast on the fourth and sixth days (Didache 8:1)
Fast in a way that feeds someone. Fast in a way that softens your heart. Fast in a way that makes room for joy to return.
Greetings on this the Thursday after Ash Wednesday Readings: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6; Luke 9:22-25
Summary
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 (Psalm 1:1-2)
Reflection
What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself? (Lk 9:25)
In the world the way of the righteous seems foolish. Being a part of the counsel of the wicked and sitting with the insolent actually appears and seems to be the easier path. Easier and more profitable.
It is the choice Moses speaks of in the Third Address of Moses.
I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life
Jesus offers, instead, a pathway of eternal life that required an Otherness of our living.
Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me (Lk 9:23).
Personal Reflection
Lord, give me the courage to choose your way when it costs me something. Choosing your Law and Love over profit and power.
Greetings on this Ash Wednesday Readings: Joel 2:12-18; Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14 and 17; 2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Summary
Return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God. [In reply] Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. [Reassuring] If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. In an acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you. (Jl 12:13b; Ps 51:3-4; Ps 95:8; Mt 6:4b; 2 Cor 6:2;).
Reflection
Briefly, in sacred scripture today, we bring together the Prophets, the Psalmist, the King (David), St Paul, and Jesus himself:
Even now is the acceptable time to give the secret (interior) and secrets (hurts) of your heart to Jesus. Repent and believe the Gospel.
Personal Reflection
As we enter Lent and commemorate our basic human experience – “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return“. Let us also remember our basic spiritual experience – repentance is not humiliation — it is re-alignment – alignment with the love that made us and draws us back to himself.
Where you stand, we once were. Where we are, you will one day be.
Greetings on this the Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion Readings: Luke 19:28-40; Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24.; Philippians 2:6-11; Luke 22:14—23:56
Summary
He said in reply, “I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out! (LK 19:40)”
On Palm Sunday we remember the entirety of the Passion of Jesus beginning with his entry into Jerusalem and ending with the burial of Jesus. It is the story of our privation and salvation. The leadership wanted silence. No such possibility exists when our salvation has arrived!
Palm Sunday Masses at Saint Mark’s and at the Veteran Administration Medical Center. To remember the love of Our Lord for all of us. I cannot be silent. I am a stone crying out.
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest. (LK 19:38). Hosanna means Lord, Save us.
