Sunday, March 11 ~ Third Sunday of Lent

Luke 13: 1-9

1 There were some present at that very time who told him of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered thus? 3 I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Silo'am fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." 6 And he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vinedresser, `Lo, these three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down; why should it use up the ground?' 8 And he answered him, `Let it alone, sir, this year also, till I dig about it and put on manure. 9 And if it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"

Questions for Reflection and/or Discussion

This week a friend shared with me a discussion she had with her husband and son about hell. They were distraught in reading in a book that those not in a state of grace at the time of their death will most definitely go to hell. They were worried about those who didn’t have time to get to Confession. She was struggling to explain to them this truth while commending their compassion for these lost souls. Do I really believe there is a hell? Do I believe it is possible for people to go there when they die? Do I believe it is possible for me to go to hell? How do I feel about people going to hell?

It was such a timely discussion, as this week’s Gospel speaks of the same uncomfortable quandary. Jesus is assuring His listeners that they will go to hell if they do not repent and bear good fruit. He is telling us the same. It is true. Some people, probably some we know, will die and go to hell for lack of repentance or bearing fruit. I pray it will not be me or you. Do I know someone in need of repentance? Am I praying for him/her/them? Do I witness to them by my daily walk?

Most importantly for each of us, this is an opportunity to evaluate our lives. We cannot change the past, but we can look towards the future. Like the fig tree, we have relatively little time left before our judgment. Am I ready? Am I living the Christian life I should be living? Am I producing good fruit for our Lord? What about my life do I need to change right now? Do I hope for the blessing of purgatory and eventual welcoming to heaven?

Our pastor responded to my friend’s experience by reminding us that there is justice. Our God is a just God, and He will send those to hell who do not keep his commandments. Otherwise, there would be no righteousness. While this may seem harsh, when people choose to turn away from God, they are choosing their own eternity. Father also reminded us that there are different degrees of grace. A person in mortal sin will go to hell without repentance, but most of us are probably headed for purgatory. We frequent Confession but still commit venial sins quite regularly, especially the sin of idolizing anything other than God. He said if you die on your way to Confession or having planned to go to Confession shortly, your sins are forgiven you. Do I frequent Confession often in preparation for my judgment? Am I in a state of mortal sin and need immediate Confession? Do I turn away from my venial sins once they are forgiven and not commit them again or do they compound with repetition, potentially equating to a mortal sin? What eternity do I choose?

With outstretched arms he begs us to turn toward him, to weep for our sins, and to become the servants of love, first for ourselves, then for our neighbors. Just as water extinguishes a fire, so love wipes away sin. ~ St. John of God

Sunday, March 4 ~ Second Sunday of Lent

Luke 9:28-36

28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Eli'jah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they wakened they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Eli'jah" -- not knowing what he said. 34 As he said this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

Questions for Reflection and/or Discussion

This passage is used frequently to describe what happens when one goes on a religious retreat. You are up on the mountain, amazed at the clarity with which you see God, and you want to stay there forever. In fact, it is downright disheartening to come back down the mountain and enter your daily life again. These mountaintop experiences are valuable in that they bring us closer to God in a short amount of time. Have I ever made a retreat, guided or independent? Am I in need of a retreat now?

As busy moms, maybe we cannot spend an entire weekend in retreat, but could we go away for one day or even a half of a day in the midst of this Lenten season? An Adoration chapel or quiet church would be a perfect place to spend the day with God. Just bring some resources and break up the day a bit. Here is a sample schedule of a half day individually-guided retreat; repeat for a whole day retreat or add your own ideas:
*** Go to Mass if available
9:00AM Rosary & Meditation
9:30 Silent Personal Prayer & Journaling
10:00 Read & Meditate on Sacred Scripture
10:30 Break
10:45 Silent Personal Prayer
11:00 Read Spiritual Reading or Life of a Saint
11:30 Walk & Pray Stations of the Cross
12:00 Break
12:15 Examination of Conscience
12:40 Silent Personal Prayer & Journaling
*** Go to Confession if available
If I cannot make a retreat, how can I make mini-retreats in the midst of my busy days? Especially during Lent, the call to prayer is strong. Can I visit an Adoration chapel one hour a week? What other options are available to me to grow closer to God right now?

Coming down from the mountain can be similar to going through spiritual dry spells. We can easily become frustrated by our inability to see Jesus “in his glory” during the trials or mundane rituals of our lives. In these times, how do I continue in perseverance with my spiritual walk? What resources or people do I seek out in times like these to drink from living water and cure my dry spells? Our spiritual lives become stronger by living in this world. Most people are not called to go to Heaven immediately; we are called to live on earth in order to sanctify our souls. How well do I endure this life while hoping for the next?

Also, can you believe Peter, John, and James slept right through a conversation between Jesus, Moses, and Elijah? Wow! What amazing things do we “sleep” through that Jesus would like us to see? Are we always ready and aware for His appearance in our life? Personally, this week, three different circumstances in my life have resulted in the same fact. I know this is from the Holy Spirit and plan to pursue a new goal as a result. Sometimes I pray for God to hit me on the head with a 2x4 to tell me His will, but this is seldom necessary. He tells us His will all the time. Am I listening closely? How do I train my ear to hear Him?

Brothers and sisters, be joyful and keep the faith and do the little things which you heard and saw with me. ~St. David of Wales

Message of His Holiness Benedict XVI for Lent 2007

Pope Benedict's Lenten Message

I had to throw in this extra post! Read the message at the Vatican website here. As to be expected, it's incredible in five succinct paragraphs! Thank you, Pope Benedict XVI! Thank you, Holy Spirit!

Questions for Reflection and/or Discussion

1. When is the last time I spent time in quiet meditation in front of a crucifix? How did this prayer affect me?

2. Do I recognize God's eros, His burning passion, for me His bride? How do I return this type of love to God?

3. How does Christ's dramatic action of unitive love of us by dying on the cross illustrate "that force 'that does not allow the lover to remain in himself but moves him to become one with the beloved'?" Is this force alive in my soul?

4. Does my marital love mirror "the love that unites the free gift of oneself with the impassioned desire for recipriocity?"

5. Through the Eucharist, we are in union with Christ physically and spiritually. Do we walk away changed?

6. How am I currently being called "to fight every form of contempt for life and human exploitation and to alleviate hte tragedies of loneliness and abandonment of" others?

So we know and believe the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. We love, because he first loved us. ~ 1 John 4: 16, 19

Sunday, Feburary 21 ~ First Sunday of Lent

Luke 4: 1-13

1 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit 2 for forty days in the wilderness, tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing in those days; and when they were ended, he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." 4 And Jesus answered him, "It is written, `Man shall not live by bread alone.'" 5 And the devil took him up, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, 6 and said to him, "To you I will give all this authority and their glory; for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it shall all be yours." 8 And Jesus answered him, "It is written, `You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'" 9 And he took him to Jerusalem, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here; 10 for it is written, `He will give his angels charge of you, to guard you,' 11 and `On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" 12 And Jesus answered him, "It is said, `You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'" 13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Questions for Reflection and/or Discussion

Thank God for the Church and her wisdom in the liturgical year!!! Jesus prepares to resist the temptation of the devil, which He knew was coming, by spending forty days praying and fasting in the desert. We are at the beginning of Lent, forty days of prayer and fasting. Do I expect to be transformed by the end of Lent from the person I am today to a person who can resist every temptation? We should expect this. What are my greatest temptations and how can I prepare to resist them? By Easter, will I be ready?

The human nature of Jesus is illustrated here, as well. I often excuse my own actions that are NOT Christ-like by saying, “But, He was divine; I am human.” Yes, He was both divine and human and truly felt “hungry” after eating “nothing” for forty days. He has the power to turn a simple stone to bread and appease His hunger, but He resists this temptation coming from the devil. Do I make excuses for my behavior based on my human nature? Do I rely on God for my strength in times of temptation? I am reminded of several saints and blessed who lived for years with the Eucharist as their only food, such as St. Catherine of Siena. Would I have the faith if called to such drastic measures that God would sustain me?

Scripture is quoted in this Scripture passage five times, once even by the devil himself. Jesus responds to each temptation with Scripture. How well do I rely on Scripture to help me overcome temptations? Do I know Scripture well enough to rely on it? How can I increase my knowledge of Scripture? Even Satan believes in Scripture, or he wouldn’t quote it. If we use it to resist the devil, he will flee from us.

Most importantly, I am awestruck by Jesus’ response to the second temptation. He knew His passion was coming, but He didn’t acquiesce to save only a small part of humanity, the part the devil was offering to Him. He wanted to save the whole world, each one of us, and was willing to suffer and die a horrible death to conquer Satan and do it. God loves each of us that much. Today, offer Him praise for His sacrifice and His love and leave some petitions unspoken, focusing on thanksgiving for our salvation!

In serenity, look forward to the joy that follows sadness. Hope leads you to that joy and love enkindles your zeal. ~ St. Peter Damien

Wednesday, February 21 ~ Ash Wednesday

Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18

1 "Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 "Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 5 "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 16 "And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Questions for Reflection and/or Discussion

Lent is upon us! Once again, as every year, I must determine what sacrifices and prayer to observe as a family and personally. The most compelling question that arises from this Gospel reading is in the first verse: What are my motives for my Lenten practices? A friend and I were discussing last week that we feel called to do more than just give up chocolate for another year. It is a sacrifice, but it is something we know we can do. Therefore, it becomes a petty thing, merely checking it off of our Lenten list. We are called to grow during Lent, to deepen our relationship with Christ. Do my Lenten practices truly have that motive?

One of my greatest challenges is keeping to a set time of daily personal prayer. Even writing this, I am realizing that this is the time I had planned to do that today, since I did not get it done this morning. So, I will stop writing now and be back soon… If you have children, going into your room and shutting the door is very difficult to do except when they are asleep, and if you are like me, that is the time you are racing to get done all the things you “cannot” do when they are awake. Nevertheless, this is exactly what our Lord calls us to do. He wants us to pray in secret. Yes, it is good for our children to see us pray. We teach through example, but it is also important to have time reserved specifically for only me and my Savior. How during this Lent will I preserve this type of time with God? A military chaplain who visited our old church just one time will always remain in my thoughts; he taught that God expects us to always choose what is “best,” not merely what is “good.” Jesus admonished Martha for not choosing “the better part.” How can I remind myself of this call to secret prayer amidst my busy life? It can actually be a sin to choose to do my duties as a wife and mother when I should be taking the time to pray.

When Catholics discuss Lent, it is usually asking what you will give up this year. Our fasting is important during Lent, because it trains our hearts in the way of the Lord, who Himself spent forty days fasting in the desert before beginning His ministry. The call to fast is a call to holiness. This small penance enables us to conquer greater vices in our lives and resist bigger temptations when we face them. Is my Lenten sacrifice petty, or does it truly remind me of Christ’s sacrifice? Am I only choosing a small thing that I will go back to after Easter, or am I also choosing to use this time to break a bad habit and establish a new positive habit? Our pastor has called us to do three things to grow in holiness this Lent: (1) make a voluntary amendment of life by working to break a bad habit forever, (2) perform acts of penance by fasting from some small thing for Lent, and (3) perform some work(s) of charity through prayer and/or service throughout Lent that may continue after Lent is over. What could you do in each of these areas?

In a new way this Lent, I am being challenged to not merely give up some indulgence but to truly train my soul in holiness. My sacrifices might include small mortifications in addition to typical fasts, because I feel my motives are more pure this way. What have you planned? What are your motives? Are you making plans to literally change your life in the next forty days and be reborn as a whole new person on Easter morning? I hope so!


With a more fervent participation let us direct our gaze, therefore, in this time of penance and prayer, at Christ crucified who, dying on Calvary, revealed fully for us the love of God. ~ from The Message of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI for Lent 2007