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Lenten Reflection Series
Week 4: March 21 - 27, 2004
Click on the date in order to read the Scriptural texts on which the reflections are based.
March 21, 2004 - Fourth Sunday of Lent
The Prodigal Son had everything he needed in life: love, home, comforts, companionship, peace and contentment and a father who was willing to leave him material wealth. But the Prodigal Son was not happy and satisfied, so he asked for his inheritance and left home and all its comforts and before long squandered it all in a life of dissipation. When there was nothing left and he was starving and down and out, his first thought was to return to his father, even if just to become a “hired hand,” in order to save his life.
His father out of great joy and love and forgiveness, restored his son to his former place in the household, after the Prodigal Son begged for forgiveness. God loves a repentant sinner. His father had never stopped loving him, but was waiting for his lost son to return. Lent is a time of repentance and atonement and God is always waiting for us just as the father of the prodigal son. God is just waiting to grant it, if we only ask. We should all be grateful, humble, respectful and unafraid to ask our God for forgiveness.
But let’s not forget the oldest son. He worked diligently, was steady and behaved well at all times. But he was given no celebrations, robe, or fatted calf. And was he jealous! Sound familiar? I think we all can relate to this older son. How many times have we felt slighted? Have we felt that life is unfair? Have we been unable to rejoice in others’ happiness? Have we held grudges against those who hurt us? This is probably the greater challenge for us this Lenten season. As we prepare for the Easter season, we need to recognize the older son in each of us and try to transform it into the unconditional love and forgiveness of the father.
Let us pray: “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
Angelina DiDonato and Heather Huot
Women of Hope – Vine (CSS Housing and Homeless Services Division)
Both of today’s readings carry a theme of faithfulness and remind me of a quote that I refer to often when I am challenged to see God’s goodness and presence working in my life.
I asked for strength and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for wisdom and God gave me problems to solve.
I asked for prosperity and God gave me brawn and brain to work.
I asked for courage and God gave me dangerous and scary situations to overcome.
I asked for patience and God placed me in situations where I was forced to wait.
I asked for love and God gave me hurting people to help.
I asked for favors and God gave me opportunities.
I received nothing I wanted, but I received everything I needed.
My prayer has been answered.
God’s promise to us is goodness in all times and in all situations, but because we are human we often fail to believe this. Just as Jesus says: “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.”
We still look for signs and wonders just as the people did in Jesus’ day, but to really trust in God’s promise, faithfulness is required of us. This is what Jesus asks of us, to believe in His Father’s goodness using faith and trust that we will always receive just what we need.
Amy Stoner
Northeast & Southwest Phila. Family Service Centers - CSS Family Services Division
Today’s reading from Ezekiel reminds me of my favorite place, the seashore. I think Jesus enjoyed the shore, too. When I walk on a sandy beach and take in the immensity of the ocean, I’m reminded of God’s power and greatness. Wading in the waves can be not only refreshing but a truly religious experience. Water is a blessing, and my anxieties and tensions slip away with the tides. We can’t always escape to the beach; however we must always have water. It is essential for life.
I believe God is essential for our life on this earth, too. The Church, in her wisdom, gives us this sacred time of Lent. We need it. I need it. Jesus prepared for His Great Work by spending 40 days in the desert praying and fasting. I shall not do less. I can find some solitude, sacrifice something, and pray to refresh my soul.
John, like Ezekiel, uses a lot of symbolism. Again, it’s water. First we hear the account of John the Baptizer baptizing Jesus in the Jordan. In today’s selection from the Gospel of John, Jesus heals the paralytic man. This scene happens near a pool called Bethesda. Before the miracle, Jesus asked the man if he wishes to be made well. He doesn’t force his help or ministry on the man. Likewise, it’s up to us to desire to be whole, to ask for and make use of God’s grace.
Generally we don’t ask strangers for help, but we do ask friends and family. Jesus is both. He is also the Divine Healer. We don’t need to jump into a pool or race to the beach for relief. All we need to do is get to know Our Lord better and spend some time with Him, and then, I believe, asking for help and blessings will become easier.
Every Lent I plan to do better than I did the previous year. Reflection on the daily Scriptures is a beginning. May everyone have a Blessed Lent!
Deb Haley, R.N.
St. Gabriel’s Hall - CSS Juvenile Justice Services Division
I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me.
How many times have we heard the phrase, ‘Let go and let God?’ It certainly sounds easy enough, but the humanness of us almost always demands that we be in control. For us to submit to God’s will as Jesus did is an act that is next to impossible for most of us. What we need to remember is that Jesus’ obedience to the Father was not based on submission or power, but on love. How many times in a relationship have you submitted to the wishes of the other person, mainly out of love? It could involve something as serious as moving out of state, or something as simple as choosing at what restaurant to eat dinner. Why can’t we do this with God? He sent us His only Son to show us the way, yet we still harbor fear in following His will. We need to truly put God first and let Him work within our lives. A quote by the famous author C.S. Lewis best describes how we feel about trusting in God’s will - “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”
Instead of trying to shoulder all of your problems, give them to God and wait. It may not always seem to be the best solution at the time, but in the long run, you will look back and see that, yes, it was.
Lord, increase my love for you and unite my heart and will with yours, that I may only seek what is pleasing toYou.
Lee Kostic
De La Salle Vocational – CSS Juvenile Justice Services Division
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a young girl, betrothed to a man named Joseph, and whose name was Mary. As a child Mary had vowed her virginity to God, abandoning any hope of becoming the Savior’s mother, as most Jewish maidens cherished such an honor. The angel announced “Hail favored One! Do not be afraid for you have found favor with God. You will conceive in your womb and bear a son and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High!” Mary was filled with amazement that a messenger from heaven should come to her. She was startled to hear that she would not only be a mother, but the mother of the Messiah.
All Jewish children were instructed in the ways of life. How was her desire to give herself totally to God, and yet become the mother of the Messiah, compatible? Mary’s love for God was so great she could not find self-concern in it. That she would be renouncing anything did not occur to her. She simply accepted the words and only questioned how this could be. What did God want her to do? The response she heard was one which no other human being has ever heard: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the most High will cover you. And so the child will be holy and will be called the Son of God.” Mary’s reaction is complete surrender, as she responds “Let it happen to me as you have said.” Only one thing was necessary before the great mystery could be enacted; Mary’s will had to be rooted in God’s will. And with Mary’s fiat – her “yes”—her will becomes firmly rooted in the Will of God. Mary’s fiat was repeated throughout her life as she learned to listen to the Holy Spirit and respond to God’s promptings. Overshadowed by the “power of the Most High” at the Annunciation, Mary is the model of a Spirit-filled disciple. Mary’s response to God two thousand years ago still shows us today what God can realize in us. God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. (Romans 5:15). Through the Holy Spirit we are empowered to love and follow Jesus as His disciples today and carry Him in love to others. Like Mary we can bring Jesus to others by our prayers, love and submission to the Holy Spirit.
Sr. M. Beata Jurewicz, CSFN
St. John Neumann Nursing Home - Catholic Health Care Services
Our readings today carry the theme of humans detracting from God’s goodness. We hear in the first reading, Wisdom 2, “The wicked said among themselves, Let us beset the just one. . . let us put him to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness.” Again, in the psalm, “The Lord confronts the evildoers, nevertheless, he is close to the brokenhearted.” In the Gospel, the inhabitants of Jerusalem ask, “Is he not the one they are trying to kill?” As I reflect on the passage, “. . . let us put Him to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience,” I am shocked that Jesus’ detractors would challenge his goodness, but do I do the same?
Do I spend so much time watching Cain kill Able on television that I don’t have five minutes for morning prayer, fifteen minutes for a rosary, one hour a week for Sunday Mass? Do I miss the miracle of the Eucharist, the gift of salvation, the inexhaustible love of God for me? Do I harbor resentment for something a loved one said in haste, or the thoughtlessness of a co-worker that caused me grief, so much so that I refuse to understand or forgive? Do I envy my neighbor’s cruise to the islands so much that I fail to see the glorious sunrise from my own front door? Or do I miss hearing the laughter of a child or the song of a bird right outside my window? Am I consumed with wanting to be taller, thinner, richer, or appearing better than everyone else that I fail to appreciate the miracle of me? Do I try the patience of God?
“Many are the troubles of the just man, but out of them all, the Lord delivers him. The Lord redeems the lives of his servants; no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.” Let us turn to Him in faith and trust in His love and mercy.
Adele Malloy
Divine Providence Village – CSS Mental Retardation Services Division
As I read these passages it just reminded me of how often we overlook God’s guidance in our lives. For what could be a number of reasons it seems that way too often we either miss, disregard, or ignore His leading in our lives. Sometimes, it is not until it is too late that we realize just what it is God is trying to say.
Unfortunately, too late is not soon enough. Therefore, as those who are dedicated to God, we must become better acquainted with him in order not to miss His guidance in our lives.
Des McGruder
St. Gabriel’s Hall - CSS Juvenile Justice Services Division
