Isaiah 55:10ff. God’s word comes down from heaven like rain, to make the earth fruitful Matthew 6:7ff. Guidance about prayer and the spirit of forgiveness. Safe In His Hands Year after year, one Lent after another, we hear and ponder God’s word. The process is a long one, of listening to the word of God,…
Leviticus 19:1ff. The basic commandments are set alongside guidance for worship and for social compassion. Matthew 25:31ff. The final judgment will be based on “As you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me.’ Leaving out Luxuries Both biblical readings deal, like the prophets, with the radical needs and…
Opening Comment
We celebrate the first Sunday of Lent. All over the world today, men and women are beginning a period of preparation for their baptism at the Easter Vigil. Like them, we spend Lent preparing to renew our baptismal vows at Easter, looking forward to our blessing with Easter water and to receiving the gift of a new start.
Theme Today recalls Christ’s victory over temptation in the desert. The beginning of Lent is a good time for us to confront the temptations in our lives. We should pray for the gift of discernment between good and evil. Readings Gen 2:7-9; 3:1-7. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve preferred to follow their…
Isaiah 58:9ff. If the people are converted, they will be richly blessed…”like a spring whose waters never fail.” Luke 5:27ff. The converted tax collector sits at table with Jesus, who welcomes sinners to repentance. Levi, a Paradigm of Acceptance The Jesus we follow is one who loves and accepts the individual in their reality, as…
Isaiah 58:1ff. Authentic religious practice (“True fasting”) is contrasted with merely external observance. Matthew 9:14ff. Jesus predicts fasting in the future, once the bridegroom is gone from this world. Genuine Penance The people were doubtless incensed when accused by Isaiah of rebelling against God. They saw themselves as eager in religious practice. They fast, but…
Deut. 30:15ff. A heartfelt call to fidelity, as the key to their future.”Choose life so that you and your descendants may live!” Luke 9:22ff. Jesus predicts his passion, and its effect on disciples – they must carry their cross each day, after him. Choosing Life The same Jesus who declared that his ideal in life…
Joel 2:12-18. Joel urges the Israelites to repent sincerely of their sins, both individually and in a community liturgy – something like what we are celebrating here and now. 2 Cor 5:20-6:2. If Christ has reconciled the world with God, each Christian must seek to become worthy of the grace of Christ by a personal…
Joel 2:12-18. Joel urges the Israelites to repent sincerely of their sins, both individually and in a community liturgy – something like what we are celebrating here and now. 2 Cor 5:20-6:2. If Christ has reconciled the world with God, each Christian must seek to become worthy of the grace of Christ by a personal…
Tob 2:9ff. A typical family scene of tender goodness, faithful perseverance and some disagreement and quarreling. Mark 12:13ff. Balancing one’s loyalties between civil and religious responsibilities: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, but to God what is God’s.” The Homespun Virtues It is good for soul and body to find our daily family life mirrored…
Tob 1:1ff Living in exile away from the promised land. Tobit shows compassion for his neighbours. Mark 12:1ff. The wicked tenants kill the vineyard-owner’s son; they are punished, and the vineyard given to others. Surviving Abroad Tobit was one of the last additions to the Old Testament, just as 2 Peter was to the New…
Theme It is not enough to worship God just by going to Mass on Sunday. We must sincerely try to do the will of the eternal Father. The divine will is for us to show care and concern for others. As the biblical author reminds us, we are to put these words of God into…
Sir 51:12ff. When I was young, wisdom came to me inner beauty, and until the end I will cultivate her. Mark 11:27ff. Jesus will explain the source of his authority if others will state their mind about John the Baptist’s ministry. Willing to Grow Sirach is calm and confident, knowing that fidelity over the years…
Sir 44:1ff. Israel’s ancestors were blessed in life and in their descendants because of God’s covenant with them and their fidelity to it. In times of trial rejoice that you share in Christ’s sufferings. Mark 11:11ff. Two interwoven episodes: cursing the fig tree and cleansing the temple; at the centre comes an insistence on prayer….
Sir 42:18ff. God has filled the universe with an infinite variety of life, each part completing and complementing the others. Mark 10:46ff. Jesus heals Bartimaeus of blindness because of his faith. Reborn in spirit Sirach moves from simple things to intricate mysteries, from the beauty of the natural universe to the depths of the human…
Sir 36:1ff. By God’s fidelity to the hopes and prophetic promises of Israel, he will reveal his salvation to the ends of the earth. Mark 10:32ff. Jesus again announces his death and resurrection. His disciples argue over rank and privilege in his kingdom. Reverence in God’s Household A response of fear is present in each…
Sir 35:1ff. This Jerusalem teacher recommends temple sacrifices; he also calls for generosity to the poor, and freedom from extortion. Mark 10:28ff. We will receive a hundred times over and above for anything we have given up for Jesus’ sake. Remembering the Poor When Sirach took part in the temple liturgy, joy and delight brightened…
Sir 17:19ff. Repent from sin while you are still alive. The dead cannot praise God. Mark 10:17ff. Go and sell what you possess and come follow me.Humanly it is impossible but with God all things are possible. Living the Present Moment The book of Sirach, from which we have been reading, is a fine expression…
Opening Comment
The care of God for all of creation draws us together to praise our Creator.
Penitential Rite
As we prepare ourselves for this celebration, let us renew our trust in God’s gracious forgiveness: (pause)
Theme Some people find their lives darkened and blighted by constant worry. Today’s Scriptures encourage us not to worry about tomorrow but to trust in God’s providence. Our God is full of loving compassion, and He knows each one by name. What a difference it would make if we let ourselves believe and trust that…
