In the face of death of Lazarus, Jesus offers life.
He proves, once again, that He bears the power of almighty God.
Jesus not only demonstrates this for Lazarus, but He also offers it to us.
This is the most important thought that we as human beings can have.
We are reminded that we are destined for death, and yet, can have everlasting life with God.
Do you believe?
Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032623.cfm
Jesus healed the blind man and brought back his sight.
The authorities could not believe what happed and tried to deny the reality of the miracle and also discredit Jesus.
Jesus tells us that He was to bring light to the world so that all could see the reality of the wonder of God.
But many wished to hold onto their beliefs and practices that are threatened by anything new…. even if it came from God.
It was their choice to hold onto their opinions and to deny the power and reality of God through Jesus.
Jesus invites us to ask to have our eyes opened to see beyond the limitations of our experience.
Are you ready to ask for this?
Readings: Fourth Sunday of Lent | USCCB
Yes, Jesus also speaks to us on this day.
The Samaritan woman believed because she had a personal spiritual and physical encounter with Jesus.
She communicated what happened to her with her friends and they, too, believed.
The disciples, you and I, are commissioned by Jesus to share our interaction with Him to the world.
What has been your encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist and what do you think you should do?
Lent is an ideal opportunity to consider this question.
The Apostles were given first-hand experience with Jesus to help strengthen their faith.
We too experience Jesus in this Gospel, to focus us on who Jesus was and is.
Are we moving forward with this message or are we afraid or paralyzed by something else?
Readings: Daily Bible Reading – March 5, 2023 | USCCB
Honoring and following God’s Word is more important than anything else in life.
The Devil’s temptations will try to obscure that fact.
How is this a challenge for us?
How do we respond?
Readings: First Sunday of Lent | USCCB
Jesus can always see the state of our hearts.
He can see hypocrisy, He can see true contrition.
And He always has mercy for the repentant.
In this Gospel, Jesus again teaches the lesson of looking inward before judging.
Examining our own motives, examining the state of our soul – is difficult.
But that is what we are called to do during Lent.
Can you refrain from judging others?
Do you have the courage to see your own faults and failings?
Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040322-YearC.cfm
Jesus knows all about the real state of mind of humans.
He knows of all their problems and bad decisions.
Jesus only has mercy for all those who wish to return to him.
He has no room for condemnation resulting from false pride so typical of many of the Pharisees.
Will we all return to our Father’s house?
He is waiting!
Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032722-YearC.cfm
Jesus admonishes us to change our ways.
Jesus also reminds us that we will face difficulties in life, sometimes because of our own behaviors.
These difficulties are not sent to us as punishment but are opportunities for us to turn toward God and realize that God is there to sustain us in these times, just as the gardener lovingly cultivated and fertilized the barren tree to give it another chance.
Jesus will offer us guidance, comfort, and mercy in times of trouble when we turn to Him.
The heartfelt acknowledgment of His goodness and our sinfulness will result in regret for our failings.
This regret can cause us to change our ways.
The choice is yours – will you turn to God and repent, allowing Jesus to feed your soul?
Reading: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032022-YearC.cfm
The Apostles had a remarkable encounter with the living God.
They came to realize more fully that Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s plan all throughout history.
The stories of Moses and Elijah came to life in a new way.
Jesus was seen as He was about to become; transfigured as God’s salvation of mankind through His death and resurrection.
Can we listen to, and see, Jesus in this powerful new way as He, again and again, enters into our experience and lives?
Jesus predicted the kind of death he would die.
His ultimate moment of glory was at hand.
He instructs us to follow him and to live a life of self-sacrifice.
He offered His life for others and He expects us to do the same.
Life is meant to be good but also focused on what is most important.
Lent should help us order our existence. How are we doing?
Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032121-YearB.cfm
Jesus is aware that followers do not understand what He means.
The temple is a structure, but His body is the true temple of God.
Death is thought to be an ending, but for Christ, it will lead to the resurrection and our salvation.
The mysteries that surround Christ our King and Savior are profound.
As we contemplate Lent and our relationship with God, let us ask for the Holy Spirit’s enlightenment.
What mysteries of Christ do you need help to understand?
Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031421-YearB.cfm
Jesus made a prediction of His Resurrection.
The emphasis of the dignity of His body was contrasted with the profane actions of the money changers in the temple.
Jesus knew the fickle nature of people who just wanted to see miracles.
He knows the true nature of our hearts
Is our Lenten journey bringing us closer to Him?
Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030721-YearB.cfm
The transfiguration of Jesus cements the relationship of Jesus to the Faith, for the disciples, and for us.
It was a mysterious event that caused the disciples to think and discuss the meaning of rising from the dead.
As we celebrate Lent and prepare for Easter it is good for us to, once again, ponder Jesus’ resurrection.
Our reading each Sunday always connects the experience of the Jewish people and the prophets with Jesus’ fulfillment of God’s promises.
Are we ready to consider the experiences of the prophets and Jesus’ fulfillment as important guideposts for our lives?
Jesus started his ministry being tempted by Satan.
He was in a desert devoid of comforts and inhabited by dangerous beasts.
A hostile world turned away from God by the stain of original sin.
But He prevailed.
He modeled for us how we are to respond to temptation and pain.
He taught us that by proclaiming His word to further the Kingdom.
It is a mission to be pursued despite the trails that accompany it.
Lent can fortify you for your mission.
Will you make use of this opportunity?
Jesus’ life and the sacrifice of that life was the greatest act of love in all of time.
His love for us even exceeded our ability to ignore and reject him by our transgressions.
Passion Sunday and Holy Week bring Jesus’ sacrifice back into the reality of our lives.
We are challenged to remember and to change.
Will we respond by improving our lives to live as He taught us to live?
Jesus, by raising Lazarus confirmed his promise.
We too are heirs to this promise.
Have faith and trust in Jesus and we can face anything, even death.
What do you need help with right now? Pray and ask for it. He is listening.
…… And those who do not see might become blind.
Jesus helps us see what is truly important in life.
In Baptism, Jesus reveals Himself to us. Will we accept the gift from Jesus so that we may truly see Him as our Lord and worship Him?
As water is essential for existence, Jesus is essential for eternal life.
He comes to everyone with an offer and a gift of salvation through Him.
Jesus said, “I Am He”, the Messiah. Do we need further convincing?
Artwork used with permission, "The Woman at the Well”, © 2016 CRYSTAL CLOSE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, www.etsy.com/shop/crystalcloseart
The Apostles were given first-hand experience with Jesus to help strengthen their faith.
We too experience Jesus in this Gospel, to focus us on who Jesus was and is.
Are we moving forward with this message or are we afraid or paralyzed by something else?
Honoring and following God’s Word is more important than anything else in life.
The Devil’s temptations will try to obscure that fact.
How is this a challenge for us?
How do we respond?
– Jesus offers us a future.
– Jesus lifted Lazarus from death and He will bring each of us to a like resurrection.
– Jesus said He will stay with us now and take us with Him in the future. He has prepared a place for us. No one else has done that.
– God will do this in His time and His way but in the meantime, hang-on and trust.
– Why don’t we dream a little? Why don’t we accept that this is true?
– How would our lives and attitudes change if we really held this to be true?
– This entire idea would only be a fantasy if Jesus had not been with us and proved that He will do it.
