Saturday Secons Week of Lent

Daily Readings for Lent
Today's readings: March 26, 2011
First Reading: Mi 17:14-15, 18-20 ;
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12 ;
Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 ;

And here's an audio file and a video of a priest offering reflections.

Today's Gospel reading offers the familiar story of the Prodigal Son. Yes, I know. You have heard it before. Now, I ask you to hear it for the first time and allow the words to sink in as if they are novel and life changing. And go and read it again with heart and mind.

Upon hearing the reading, most people tend to hear the story from a point of you. Are you the Prodigal Son? The older brother who stayed on the father's land and helped him with the chores? Are you the Father? I think the truth is, at some point in our lives - we are each of the characters. It is an interesting exercise to hear it and to relate to each of the characters.

And again - the ongoing message of Lent is to grow in mercy and forgiveness. To forgive others, just as Jesus forgives you, and loves you with all His heart. He never gives up on you, even if you have given up on yourself. If you find yourself in the uncomfortable position of carrying many extra rocks in your knapsack as you walk on the road of life - learn to drop them and walk on without the baggage. The rocks are the people and the beautiful souls, made by God, that you refuse to show mercy to, and to forgive them.

Saint Francis of Assisi offered a lovely reflection on how to enable yourself to forgive when it is hard.

Can true humility and compassion exist in our words and eyes unless we know we too are capable of any act? 

And I also wanted to pass on a lovely event in my backyard yesterday. On the Solemnity of the Annunciation, where the Virgin Mary is told by the archangel Gabrielle that she will bear a son, who is the Son of God. Last summer I made a little sculpture, shrine, fountain for a statue of the Virgin Mary. It is delightful to look at and the sound of running water is quite serene. Anyway - the apple tree that fans out around the shrine decided it was time to blossom on this special day. There were no blossoms on it Thursday, but on this wonderful day marking our celebration of the annunciation, it looked this.

Please say some prayers today for me if you get a chance, and also - say the Our Father from a spot so deep in your heart, that the angels tremble at the beauty and aroma of the Lord's prayer.

Wednesday First Week of Lent

Daily Readings for Lent
Today's readings: March 16, 2011
First Reading: Jn 3:1-10
Responsorial Psalm: 51: 3-4, 12-13, 18-19
Gospel: Luke 11: 29-32 ;

And here's an audio file and a video of a priest offering reflections.

As I reflect on these words, I am reminded of the link between listening and humility. We all know the frustration of trying to share something important with a companion who refuses to listen. In kind, I hope you are able to see the shoes on the other foot, where I am a bad listener when I lose the humility to listen, instead of just waiting for the other person to stop talking to cut in with my own opinion on the subject.

St Thomas Aquinas  shared he always tried to listen to a fellow traveler about who they were, and where they were coming from, and what circumstances they had gone through before he even tried to bring the joy of the Gospel into their lives. He was one of the most learned men in the church, and later become one of 33 doctors of the Catholic church - and he spent more time listening than speaking.

Try to catch yourself today... not listening well. Humble yourself and listen. And when you are in the right state of mind and heart, you will probably benefit from listening or reading the words of today's readings.

Thursday After Ash Wednesday

Daily Readings:
First Reading: Dt 30:15-20  Responsorial Psalm: 1: 1-2, 3,4, 6
Gospel: Luke 9: 22-25
AUDIO  ~~  VIDEO Reflections

If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself
and take up his cross daily and follow me. 


This is the message of the day, and indeed every day for all Christians. On the face of it, it sounds harsh to many. How many prayers begin with a request to take this heavy burden from me God? Unfortunately, when you bemoan and focus on your troubles, the weight of the burden will only get larger. Yes, it makes it worse. So, for a change trust Jesus and just do it. Pick up your cross and follow this divine example of gentleness and humble of heart. The first steps might indeed be difficult, but rest assured our Lord gives good and loving advice. The joy that awaits, when you really understand His words, that the yoke is easy and the burden is light, is nothing short of euphoric. You will find yourself thinking less of yourself, and more about others - helping them carry their burden. And as you move toward this goal, you will indeed find that that weight of your own cross is not a burden at all, but in fact a blessing because of the empathy and love that comes from helping others in need.

When you lose your life for the sake of Jesus, you will save it.