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Lenten Reflection Series
Week 1: February 25 - March 6, 2004
Click on the date in order to read the Scriptural texts on which the reflections are based.
February 25, 2004 - Ash Wednesday
"Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart!"
The Lenten season has been often characterized as a journey. In the first reading of Ash Wednesday this year, the prophet Joel announces this journey and issues God’s invitation: RETURN to me! "Nothing can give us a profound sense of the meaning of our earthly life...as can an inner attitude of seeing ourselves as pilgrims." (Pope John Paul II, in Pilgrim of Faith, ©1987)
The Ash Wednesday invitation is a call to enter more fully, more deeply, into the life each of us has been given, a call to return to our most fundamental roots, for Christians a call to enter personally into the mystery of redemption.
Through the symbolism of Ash Wednesday, we are reminded of the contrasts that comprise our ordinary life – defeat and victory; life and death; alienation and reconciliation; giving and receiving (servant and leader); sadness and joy; failure and success; seed and flower. No one of these can be experienced fully except in the context of the other. While the outward symbol of ash, placed on our foreheads as a sign, is easily associated with the darker side of our lives – death, mortality, sadness, alienation, all that seeks redemption – let us recall that the tiny particles of ash are actually the same molecules that formed the leaves which we carried on Palm Sunday last year to accompany the joyful, victorious entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, marking the completion of his redemptive journey through life on earth.
Lord, we enter the 2004 Lenten journey today with ready hearts, signed with ashes of redeemed mortality. Walk with us on this journey – grant us Your courage for our fears, Your strength for our stumbling, and Your hope for our burdens. May this pilgrimage bring us closer to You, the source of our redemption.
Mary Ann Sullivan
Office of the Secretary for Catholic Human Services
I have set before you life and death …
Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live …
“That’s a no-brainer!” Recently, it has become common to use the term “no-brainer” in reference to decisions that are apparently so easy for anyone to make that they don’t even require a moment’s thought. Would you like to owe taxes or get a refund? Do you prefer dieting or being able to eat whatever you like? Would you rather work this week or be on vacation? The answer of presumably everyone to these “no-brainers” is obvious, isn’t it? Who would waste time wondering about such questions? So, why would it be any different with the choice posed by God to His people Israel in today’s first reading from Deuteronomy? Life or death? What’s to think about? Nobody wants to die, all of us want as much life as we can get, don’t we?
In reality, few of life’s important choices are no-brainers. There is always a cost, although sometimes hidden, in every decision. Economics focuses on opportunity costs – to choose one thing is to forego another. But ethics reminds us that in order to make morally responsible decisions, we must engage not only our minds but our hearts. We need to weigh our motives, consider the necessary conditions and potential consequences for us and others that accompany any choice, and diligently explore legitimate alternatives.
So what is the hidden cost of heeding God’s call to “choose life”? Deuteronomy says it means “loving the LORD, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him.” So to choose life is to cherish our relationship with God, listen to Him carefully, and cling closely to Him. That is not a once-and-done decision, but one that entails a lifetime of choosing to love what God loves – mercy, simplicity, generosity, honesty, tenderness, self-sacrifice. You cannot “hold fast” to someone that goes place and does things that you find distasteful or even foolish. Yet where does God go? To the poor, the weak and the hungry. What does God do? Defend the defenseless, side with those who the world calls “losers.” And if that is not enough to sober us, we are confronted with the witness of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God who lived an obscure life as a simple poor carpenter, and then spent a few short years proclaiming a kingdom of love and reaching out with healing and forgiveness to the forgotten and discarded ones of his society. He offers us this paradox in today’s Gospel: “whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”
So that’s the rub. To live is to die that we might live in a new way. To choose life is to die to self so that I might live for God and others, as Jesus the Christ did. That choice costs me just one thing – me. All of me. Brain and heart included.
Edward J. Lis
Office of the Secretary for Catholic Human Services
Friday, February 27, 2004
“Then your light shall break forth like the dawn
and your wound shall quickly be healed.” (Isaiah 58)
“Why do we fast much but your disciples do not?” (Matthew 9)
When we do what is right for the right reasons, for love of God, everything is light and healing. When we do what is right for the wrong reasons, out of a sense of forced duty, or worse, for pride, everything is heavy and painful and we quickly find excuses not to do what we know we should.
Let’s pray and work, then, so that everything we do will be done for love of God. Then when we “shall cry for help, [God] will say: Here I am!” (Isaiah 58:9)
Sr. Esther Leroux, DSMP
Divine Providence Village - CSS Mental Retardation Services Division
As I reflected upon these readings, I was reminded how easy it is to lose ourselves in the myriad of daily demands of our personal and professional lives. In losing sight of what is important, many of us strive for personal reward, professional accomplishment, and accumulation of material goods. In trying to attain these goals, our emotional selves suffer and we are left with feelings of dissatisfaction or emptiness.
In reflecting on those times I have felt inner strength, personal joy, and a sense of purpose, I realize that I was not trying to gain something for myself, but trying to deliver God’s message by reaching out to others in need. To feel God inside and to know that you are doing His work, you simply need to look into the eyes of a child you have helped through a difficult situation, feel the sense of pride an individual has after they have completed a challenging task for the first time, or help someone with little self-confidence to find their own self worth. When we challenge ourselves to help those who are most in need, it is then that we can feel an uplifted and renewed sense of spirit.
If we remember to put our own personal interests aside and be mindful of and practice being good to others every day, we will find strength. While it is important to reach out to others every day, it is especially important to do this on the Lord’s Holy Day, the Sabbath. Christians are reminded each week that the road to inner peace lies in following the Word of God and reaching out to others. It is on the Sabbath that we especially need to pay attention to the choices we are making and the messages we are delivering.
Kim Castner
St. Gabriel’s Hall - CSS Juvenile Justice Services Division
February 29, 2004 - First Sunday of Lent
I remember just a couple of weeks ago overhearing some people talking as they anticipated the beginning of Lent. They were excitedly discussing how they observed Lent in the past. They spoke about different types of food they had on Fridays: fish, polenta, poached eggs with tomato sauce, tomato soup with noodles. They spoke of what they had given up, whether it was candy or smoking or other such things. They also spoke of what they were going to do more of, like going to church during the week.
As I listened I had to wonder whether Lent was just a time of the year that we eat differently or act differently until Easter comes, so we can go back to eating and doing what we did the day before Ash Wednesday. Is that all there is, or is there something more? I think there is a lot more; Lent is a time to call "time out." It is a time to remember what we believe so we can rediscover who we are. I believe that Lent is a state of mind that we can enter into anytime we want. Lent happens to be an especially good way to prepare ourselves for the great and beautiful feast of Easter, so we “do” Lent in the 40 days that precede the Triduum, the three days that culminate in Easter Sunday.
In today’s readings, first Moses and then St. Paul show us the way. They proclaim what they believe and in so doing reveal the identity of those who share that belief. In the Gospel, following a forty-day fast alone in the desert Jesus is tempted by the devil. His response reveals what He is about and as a result uncovers who He truly is. During Lent this year what will we discover about what we believe and who we are? This Lent, may we each discover in the deepest longing of our heart the truth to which we are called—to live as sons and daughters of our God who loves us beyond all imagining. May the hearts we prepare during these 40 days of Lent become a throne for the Risen Christ on Easter Sunday and in the days that lie beyond.
Rev. Mr. James Basilio
St. Francis Country House - Catholic Health Care Services
Monday, March 1, 2004
I must admit to being very uncomfortable with the word “holy” being associated with me. By spiritual definition of the word, I am NOT holy! Holiness, to most of us, is a quality reserved for God alone. Even in our brightest moments we struggle to emulate aspects of holiness–-never attaining its full measure. Yet our reading from Leviticus today begins with the call of God to “be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy.” When great leaders of the Bible (Moses, Isaiah, Peter, etc.) shrank from the presence of a holy God, what chance do I have to honor God by being holy? The answer may be easier than we think.
One use of the word “holy” in scripture applies to being “separate.” Not separate as in “cut off from society,” but separate as in different from society. A casual reading of today’s texts reveals some very basic issues that God is concerned about: telling the truth; honoring God’s name; paying workers of a fair wage; showing respect for those with disabilities; judging the rich and poor equally; loving all family members; loving your neighbor as you love yourself. In Matthew’s story Jesus narrows the list even more: feeding the hungry; welcoming the stranger; clothing the needy; visiting the imprisoned. If we were to follow God’s leading in how we deal with those issues, we would make a great stride toward holiness in our personal lives.
What amazes me about the simplicity of these two lists is that both require action on our part. In other words, maybe we are so afraid of the word “holy” because we think of it in terms of inaction or things we should not do (don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t curse, don’t overeat, etc.). But rarely in scripture does God equate holiness with passivity or things we should refrain from. Holiness, according to Leviticus, and according to Jesus, is a verb! Holiness is a way of life that is centered in Christ, vibrant and active in the world around us.
The true importance of this message is clear. If we go through this season of Lent by merely trying to impress God with all of the things we can give up, what have we really accomplished? Are we really more holy because we don’t eat chocolate for 40 days? Or would today’s texts rather have us consider holiness in a more active context? What will we do throughout this holy season to honor God with holy lives? “Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy.” Holiness – it’s a verb!
Blair Bellis
St. Francis–St. Joseph Homes for Children - CSS Children's Services Division
Tuesday, March 2, 2004
In the readings for today, we reflect on what it is that God is asking us to do: to listen to His word and do His will. There are times in our own lives we feel so much turmoil and pain that we either cannot or will not listen. We feel God has forsaken us, and that we are alone in a situation that no one else has experienced. Our faith and God’s mercy allow us to listen and realize that the cross that we bear is a cross that Mary also had to bear. Knowing that God’s salvation is freely extended to all His people, we can understand why God is a devoted and loving God. Praying with trust and confidence is what God expects from us, with simplicity and honesty. God uses all the experiences of our lives as means by which we can enter into a greater personal and loving relationship with Him.
We are challenged by God at this time to believe that new life will come out of what seems to be a disruptive or harmful experience. God transforms our pain and sorrow into an occasion of greater understanding, of deeper sympathy for others in pain, and of a greater depth of love for all. Our Father in Heaven asks that we pray with confidence and know that our prayer is a reflection of a higher law that requests forgiveness as a final judgment.
Blanche White-Toole
Northeast Family Service Center - CSS Family Services Division
Wednesday, March 3, 2004
Whose voice do we listen to?
"The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time." In reading this passage, I was struck by the words, "a second time." How many times has God needed to speak His word to me before I recognized it and listened? Today, many "voices" compete for our attention and action: the "voice" of athletes, politicians, advertisers, friends, celebrities, and on and on. Then there is the inner "voice" of competition, jealousy, anger, etc. that calls out to us -- sometimes in a whisper, sometimes in a shout! To what "voices" are we listening and responding?
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to the crowds about the "voices" they are listening to. He reminds them of the great voices of the past—Jonah and Solomon –-which their ancestors listened to and obeyed. We can add to that list of great prophetic voices our own modern "voice" of Katharine Drexel, whose feast day we celebrate today. And yet, Jesus says to us… "There is a greater than Jonah here…there is a greater than Solomon here…there is a greater than Katharine here." I am here. Listen to my voice.
Prayer: Loving God, at Jesus' Baptism you spoke your word and said, "This is my beloved Son, listen to Him." Help me this Lent and always, to listen to and follow the voice of your Son. Amen.
Sr. Kathy Rooney, SSJ
St. Joseph Catholic Home for Children / St. Vincent Services - CSS Children's Services Division
Thursday, March 4, 2004
My reflection on the reading from Esther: Prayer is a powerful tool that we have in our possession. Because we have faith, we can speak to God at any time and in any place. Knowing that God is always with us, we are never alone. If we trust in Him we will always be alright. We make decisions every day and sometimes we don’t even think about what we are doing. But if we have a good heart and we believe in God and believe in ourselves, then we let God guide us and we will always know that things will work out. After all, we are His instruments.
My reflection on the reading from Matthew: In this time of selfishness, we are asked to be generous with our feelings and our time. We should not think of ourselves, but rather think of others around us. Our actions will always affect those around us. Let us be mindful so that we treat people the way that we wish to be treated or we wish that a loved one be treated. This is God’s law.
Gina Eberhardt
St. Gabriel’s Hall - CSS Juvenile Justice Services Division
Friday, March 5, 2004
The Old Testament reading from Ezekiel almost gives the picture of a cruel God – considering the fact that a man who was virtuous all his life and then falls into sin at the end is condemned. All of his good works are as naught. But God does not rejoice over this – He wishes no one to be damned forever. We know that scripture says “The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” Therefore we must be vigilant at all times so that we do not fall into evil. It is not God who is unfair, but we who should know that God’s laws are to be obeyed at all times. Knowing this, how could we throw away our right to the kingdom of God for the sake of a short time of unfaithfulness? God is a just judge, but He is also kind and merciful.
In the Gospel reading from Matthew we hear about the 5th commandment which says “You shall not kill.” Thankfully, very few of us will ever end up killing someone physically, but how about our anger toward others, our uncharitable actions, our name calling and spreading rumors about the character of others? Is this not killing our neighbor? We must forgive those who do this to us – if we remain angry or retaliate against them, then we cannot in good conscience offer our gift at the altar of the Lord. We should not let the sun go down on our anger – we must seek means to reconcile our differences with others. Jesus uses strong words and warns of punishment for those wrong their brothers and sisters., and for those who do not forgive those who have wronged them. During this Lenten season let us be careful how we treat each other, and let us also be more charitable and forgiving to those who treat us wrongly. Let us get rid ourselves of all self-righteousness and clear up misunderstandings with others, before they become “deadly.”
Sr. Bernadine Schmalhofer, MSBT
St. Francis-St. Joseph Home for Children - CSS Children's Services Division
Saturday, March 6, 2004
In the beginning God gave man one rule to live by. But sin entered the garden and destroyed the loving relationship man had with God. Next He gave a set of rules which would allow us to maintain a relationship with Him. But once again, being the imperfect creatures that we are, we could not follow them. Time and again we strayed and lost this most precious relationship with God. But God, loving us as He does, wants for us to receive all the glorious benefits He has promised us.
Because His love for us is so great, He sent His only Son to show us how to rebuild this relationship. Jesus simplified and condensed all the rules into just two: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind”…and the second: “Love your neighbor as your self.” If we do this, there is no room for any of the worldly “gods” that we find everywhere in our lives today. You should treat each person with the loving kindness and respect they deserve, and that you would like to receive from them– no matter the color of their skin, their economic status, or their religious beliefs. Each person is your brother or sister through our Heavenly Father, Who made us all. If all peoples of the earth lived by these two rules, what a wonderful place the world would be.
God loves us, imperfect as we are. All we have to do to return to this loving relationship with Him is accept the sacrifice His Son made for our sins, ask His forgiveness, and sincerely try to live by these two rules: “Love God, and love one another.”
Brenda Grey
St. Gabriel’s Hall - CSS Juvenile Justice Services Division
