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PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF OUR LORD Christ became obedient for us to death, even death on a Cross. Therefore, God exalted him, and gave him the name above every other name. Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Acclaimed as king and hailed as a conquering hero by the cheering crowd, he seemed to have arrived at the fulfillment of his earthly mission. However, for Christ, it’s the beginning of the last week of his life; a week of violent contrasts, which will end in grief and glory. Throughout the passion, our attention is focused on Jesus who appears as a person completely absorbed in prayer, responding quietly and sensitively to each new moment of sorrow. During this most solemn week of the church year we are invited to take the road with the followers of Christ to Calvary and to be silently at his side. He wants the work of his cross to touch our lives so that we may break free of our sinful ways and be ready to quietly take up our daily crosses absorbed in prayer and sensitivity to the world around us. |
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THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT Return to me with all your heart, says the Lord, for I am gracious and merciful. In today’s gospel we have the Pharisees, dragging before Jesus a woman caught in the act of adultery and asking Jesus to pass judgement upon her and approve of her death by stoning. Christ goes to the heart of the matter saying, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first one to throw a stone at her.” and without condoning her sinful action He restores her to peace and friendship with God. Christ’s offer of forgiveness and compassion to this publicly, humiliated woman points out our call to be a forgiving people, dedicated to reconciliation. In many ways, we can be as self-righteous as the scribes and Pharisees. It’s so easy to criticize and condemn others. Lent is an invitation to take a closer look at our lives, acknowledge our weaknesses and start anew in the friendship of God. |
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THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT I will get up and go to my father and say to him; Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. The father in our gospel story is someone whose love never changes and is present all the time; as much when the son goes off as when he returns. That’s where the gospel story tells us something about the gracious goodness of God – his warmth with sinners and the length of his merciful arm. God never changes. Somehow in a way beyond our understanding he knows the weakness, the waywardness and the perversity of the human heart and makes allowances. His love for us remains; he is always willing to forgive. Lent is a time for growing in an appreciation of the beautiful and comforting truth that every person has a place in the heart of God. This gospel tells us what coming home to God is really like. |
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THE THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT Repent says the Lord, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. The Lenten invitation to repentance is not merely a call to turn away from evil, but a plea to produce the fruits of good living. The question is whether our love of God is evident in our treatment of others. We can begin by looking under our own roof at home and make a start at being more aware and more sensitive to our family members. Outside of the family circle we can meet God by caring for the poor, the sick, the elderly and the lonely. Reaching out to others in need demands getting out of ourselves and putting aside our selfish ways. |
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THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT While Jesus prayed, the appearance of his face changed. Lent provides us with an opportunity, through prayer and fasting, to put the house of our soul in order. It teaches us that nothing worthwhile in life is ever straight forward. On our road to heaven we experience the chores of work and putting up with the frustrations and disappointments of daily living. By rooting out prejudice, selfishness and hatred, we are better able to meet all people we encounter with love, understanding and compassion. The gospel tells us that a successful relationship with Jesus can improve us, and make a difference in our lives. Jesus does not change the world, but he can transform our hearts if we let him. We all grow brighter the more we are tuned into the God-like image we are meant to reflect. The transfiguration is about letting the glory of God shine through us so that others can catch a glimpse of that glory. |