Sunday, march 14, 2010

fourth sunday of lent

The Prodigal Father’s parable

Accused of hanging out with sinners, Jesus tells one of his best stories. “A man had two sons,” the elder (oh-so-good) and the younger (not-so-much). It’s a story about extravagance and wastefulness—prodigality—but not the son’s. The “prodigal father’s” affection and forgiveness go overboard, a spendthrift with his love. The parable closes with a party dad throws for his son who “once was lost and now is found” but the older son refuses to join the celebration, so that the father has to beg him to go beyond his joyless (self-)righteousness. The father actually runs out to meet a son twice: once to kiss the errant, broken younger one and then to bring into the warmth that stubborn elder one. Jesus still “consorts with sinners,” no manner which kind we are.

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 5:9a, 10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

“This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Monday, march 15

Lenten Weekday

Yes we can, with God’s help

Our faith might be more conditional than we’d like to admit. We may expect it to magically solve all our problems, perhaps by way of miraculous signs and wonders such as the Galileans expected of Jesus. It’s understandable, but that is not how faith always works. It’s not only about a miracle fix but rather about facing and resolving life’s challenges with confidence that we do not face them alone—God is at our side. So rather than hope for a miracle today, work on resolving a problem yourself, with confidence and serenity that God is with you.

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 65:17-21; John 4:43-54

“The Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the festival.”

Tuesday, march 16

Lenten Weekday

Healing is within reach

What do you do when what you need is beyond your grasp? That was the problem for the man who’d been waiting by the healing pool of Bethesda for 38 long years. The waters were only beneficial if you reached them when the angel had stirred them. At the pace this poor fellow moved, someone always beat him to it. The arrival of Jesus changed the rules of the game. No more did healing depend on special moments, healing mediums, or preferential considerations. The word of Jesus sufficed to make the sick man whole. His word remains the one that saves.

Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12; John 5:1-16

“Immediately the man got well; he picked up his mat and started walking.”

Wednesday, march 17

Feast of Patrick, bishop

Get a strong start

“Saint Patrick’s Breastplate,” an Irish morning prayer from the eighth century, is a testament to Patrick’s almost palpable sense of closeness to God: “Christ shield me this day . . ./ Christ with me,/ Christ before me,/ Christ behind me,/ Christ in me,/ Christ beneath me,/ Christ above me . . .” and on the litany goes. Just as Jesus describes how he cannot do anything except through the Father, so Patrick prays that anything he does goes through the Son. Jesus is Patrick’s protector, his friend, and above all, Patrick believes that it is Jesus whom he will encounter through “every eye that sees” him each day. What breastplate can you fashion today that will help strengthen your faith? Perhaps you can begin with a morning prayer.

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 49:8-15; John 5:17-30

“Whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise.”

thursday, march 18

Feast of Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop, doctor of the church

Hat trick

There aren’t many saints venerated by Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglicans alike, but Cyril of Jerusalem (313-386) is one. If that weren’t enough of a distinction, Cyril is also honored as a doctor of the church. Why so special? He was a key voice in resolving a number of doctrinal disputes in the early church and helped advance the belief that the consecrated bread and wine are not mere symbols but the actual body and blood of Christ. The next time you receive Communion, give a nod of thanks to Cyril for helping illuminate the experience. You’ll be in good company doing so.

Today’s Reading: Exodus 32:7-14; John 5:31-47

“There is another who testifies on my behalf.”

Friday, march 19

Solemnity of Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Just do it

Although Saint Joseph does not say a word in the gospels, we know that he was both a deeply spiritual and an immensely practical person. How else could he have managed to take Mary on that difficult and dangerous journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, find shelter, help her give birth to their son, change plans, transport his family safely to Egypt in the middle of the night, and support them in exile for years until it was finally safe to return to Nazareth? Joseph’s actions speak volumes. Reflect on these words of Leonardo da Vinci: “Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Being willing is not enough, we must do.”

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22; Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Luke 2:41-51a

“I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me.”

Saturday, march 20

Lenten weekday

Not what you had planned

The path from plan to reality can be rough and sometimes goes off in unexpected directions. That’s especially true when people insist something has to be so because that’s the way they want it or can’t imagine anything different. Jesus found himself in this situation when people were arguing about whether he fit the description of who they thought the Messiah or a prophet was supposed to be. Unfortunately this discussion blinded them to actually believing in him. Try to get past always seeing how things are supposed to be (and frequently aren’t) to how they really are.

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 11:18-20; John 7:40-53

“Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee.”