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REFLECTIONS
Lent: This Week
Each week of Lent we will try to provide our community with an opportunity to take some positive and proactive ways to change our world and ourselves, even in small ways. In doing so, we help make the Reign of God grow in our midst. Let's try taking a few minutes each day this Lent and read the suggested scripture pieces. Then apply the questions and comments provided to our own lives.
Fourth Sunday of
Lent
Let Yourself Be Loved
Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 Why do we
find it easier to care for others than to accept their concern for us? We fear
the loss of control in being vulnerable. Yet we all need love, as today's parable
illustrates. The father does. So do his sons. Surrender to love!
Monday:
Receive
Is 65:17-21; Jn 4:43-54 At a healing mass, the preacher said, "Only
those who want healing can receive it." I wondered: Who could possibly not
want healing? Then I remembered old wounds I keep alive by revisiting them. Was
I ready to let them go?
Tuesday: Walk
EZ 47:1-9, 12; Jn 5:1-16 Exercise
is a good thing. But it's more "New Year's resolution" than "Lenten
discipline." When Jesus says walk, he doesn't mean go burn some calories.
Jesus invites us to surrender what cripples us - fear, anger, regrets - and step
into freedom.
Wednesday: Dare
Is 49:8-15; Jn 5:17-30 Jesus calls God
his father. Easy for him to say, perhaps - but it also enraged a lot of folks.
It seemed presumptuous to make such a claim. But it's true. It's also true for
you and me. Dare to claim that you are God's child!
Thursday: Shine
Ex
32:7-14; Jn 5:31-47 John the Baptist was a burning lamp. He illuminated others
by telling them God's Kingdom was in motion. Want to shine like John? Keep god
at the center, for when God's will is done, Kingdom comes!
Friday: Connect
2
SM 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; R< 4:13, 16-18, 22; Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Lk 2:41-51a
We have cell phones, Twitter, Facebook. More ways to stay connected arrive each
season. But the only way to connect to God is with a personal decision. Jesus
knew he belonged to God and was returning to god. Do we?
Saturday: Decide
Jer
11:18-20, Jn 7:40-53 Some called Jesus a prophet. Others called him the Christ.
The guards thought he was different. To the authorities, he was dangerous. Nicodemus
called him innocent until proven guilty. What will you call Jesus?