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FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT On this Fourth Sunday of our Lenten journey, Jesus encounters a man who was blind from birth and heals his blindness. One would expect that a miraculous healing of this nature would bring a sense of joy, not just to the man who was healed, but also to his family and community. Instead, the man is interrogated by the unbelievers; questioning whether he was ever blind or if this was just a clever ruse to promote Jesus’ agenda. But, this man remained steadfast in his conviction that Jesus had healed him and states his belief in Jesus as Lord. This gospel is not just about physical blindness, but also spiritual blindness. It challenges each of us to reflect on our own blind spots and the darkness in our lives that prevent us from experiencing the light of Christ. May our Lenten observances open our hearts and heal our spiritual blindness so that we may see the world in a whole new light. |
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THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT On this the Third Sunday of our Lenten journey we accompany Jesus as he meets the Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus is tired and thirsty and asks the woman for a drink of water. The woman is reluctant to engage with him at first, but as Jesus reveals himself to her, she comes to the realization that he is the Messiah. She returns to the town to share the good news and brings the townspeople to meet him. The conversation between Jesus and the woman focusses on water and thirst, but it isn’t just a physical thirst that Jesus speaks of. Instead Jesus speaks of the water of the spirit that fills our hearts and satisfies our thirst for relationship with God. In our busy lives, the thirst we encounter is the absence of God in our lives and the longing within our hearts for something more. As St. Augustine states, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” During these remaining days of Lent, let us make the effort to set aside time for prayer so that our thirst may be satisfied by the presence of Christ in our lives. |
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SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT In Matthew’s gospel; Peter, James and John accompany Jesus up a high mountain where he is transfigured. He is joined by Moses, representing the law, and Elijah who represents the prophets. The fullness of Jesus’ identity as the Son of God is then revealed through the words of God, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with whom I am well pleased; listen to him!” The words of God in this gospel were not meant only for Peter, James and John’s ears. As children of God, these words are meant to challenge each of us. In a world where we are bombarded with constant noise, do we hear His voice? Are we even taking the time to listen? The season of Lent is an opportunity to take time each day to quiet ourselves and, in the stillness, open our hearts to experience the presence of Christ in our lives. |
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FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT In today’s Gospel, we encounter the humanity of Jesus. He has spent 40 days and nights in the desert fasting and praying. He is tired and hungry and in this vulnerable state, the devil seizes the opportunity to tempt him, not once, but three times. He challenges Jesus to feed himself by turning stones into bread, to test God by throwing himself from the pinnacle of the temple and offers Jesus all of the kingdoms of the world if he will fall down and worship him. In each instance, Jesus resists these temptations quoting from scripture; “Man does not live by bread alone.” “Do not put the Lord your God to the test” and “Worship the Lord your God and serve only him.” It may seem somewhat difficult for us to relate to these particular temptations, but in our modern world our bodily needs, desires and wants can overtake us. The season of Lent calls us, in our own human weakness, to join Jesus in the desert through practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving so that we may return to right relationship with God and with one another. |
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SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME In our Gospel today, we continue with a further teaching from the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus tells his disciples that it is not enough to follow the letter of the law, but to embrace the spirit of the law. He warns against the effects of anger, lust and dishonesty which result in breaking down relationships with others and with God. He encourages us to keep our inner attitudes and motivations in check and to not become complacent by only doing the bare minimum to get by. As we journey towards Lent, let us reflect on how our practices of fasting, almsgiving and prayer will lead us to look inward so that we might experience a conversion of mind and heart leading us to a closer relationship with Christ. |