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Lenten Reflection Series
Week 5: March 28 - April 3, 2004
Click on the date in order to read the Scriptural texts on which the reflections are based.
March 28, 2004 - Fifth Sunday of Lent
Remember not the events of the past….
As we approach ever so near to Easter, the Spirit reminds us of the frustration of having too close an attachment to nature (the natural world) and challenges us to trust in the goodness of the Lord. “See, I am doing something new!” What awaits people of faith is the joy of re-creation. We must accept the loss of all things so that through our faith in Jesus Christ we may share in His resurrection. Our faith allows Jesus to possess us so that we become spiritual people. Our love of Jesus enables us to accept our own sufferings and loss as a way to share in His suffering and death, and so win through to new and eternal life.
Reverend John H. Mulholland
Immaculate Mary Home - CHCS
In today’s reading, we read about a young woman who is faced with a decision to compromise her principles of faith and sin before God or hold steadfast to her beliefs, accepting the possibility of death. This young woman chooses the honorable path; refusing to submit to extortion and indeed faces death. Power and vanity have caused those who have passed judgment on this young woman to loose sight of their own actions. It is not until the young woman is lead to death; that a young boy, Daniel blessed with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, reveals that the young woman was falsely accused; sentencing her accusers to death.
All too often, we are faced with making choices that may require us to compromise our faith and at times even our morals. We are concerned with what others think of our clothes, our homes, and even how others view our personalities; however, we must ask ourselves if we are competing with the Jones, then how can we be true to our faith, if not true to our God. It is so easy to stand in judgment of others then to accept people as humble, imperfect children of God that are no different then us.
Lorie Ackerman
St. Gabriel’s Hall - CSS Juvenile Justice Services Division
The traditional interpretation of these two readings is likening the healing power of gazing upon the bronze serpent on the pole to the saving power of Jesus lifted up on the cross. This can be further developed into a case for sacramentals and the power of praying before a crucifix. As the saraph saved physical lives, Jesus saves immortal lives. But I would like to concentrate on the Gospel of John and the last sentence of today’s reading which at first glance does not seem to make a lot of sense. “Because he spoke this way, many came to believe in him.” The words of Jesus prior to this sentence are quite difficult. So what is John talking about? What is it that they believed?
I think that the answer to these questions is that many believed that Jesus was God on the strength of His words alone. As the saraph conveyed health, the words of Jesus conveyed faith. What it must have been like to hear Him speak and be convinced by His words! We do not have the sound of his voice to move us today but we now know what “lift up the Son of Man” means and we have the Holy Spirit. We also have these words recorded by John the Evangelist. Sacred scripture is the word of God for us today. This bible reading, in itself and through the Church, Cross, and Spirit, does a similar thing for us today. This reading is our saraph. It is the Word of God trying to get us to “realize that I AM.”
Jesus, as we read your words, help us to realize that you are God, help us to bring this realization into our innermost being.
Author wished to remain anonymous
Nutritional Development Services
“Who is the God that can deliver you out of my hands?”
This was said by King Nebuchadnezzar to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when they would not worship a golden statue that he had made. Resisting, they were cast into the fire.
So you haven’t been asked to worship any golden statues lately? Think again! King Nebuchadnezzar died a long time ago, but the power of pressure lives on and the sources of pressure can be very subtle. If you think about it, the trials of today’s world are all around you: Having the newest, best car in the neighborhood while you also yell at someone who is driving ‘too slow’ for your great car; having the most up to date computer, laptop even, while throwing your older one out even though someone would smile ear to ear just to have any old computer; having an extraordinary dinner in Philly, while you pass by a homeless person, thinking they’d only use the money for alcohol or drugs anyway.
The great car, the cool computer and the fine meal are NOT NECESSARILY the golden statues of Nebuchadnezzar. But the impatience of the yell, the material waste while others are in need, and the self-righteousness of the judgment IS CERTAINLY the personality of Nebuchadnezzar. Jesus said, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Jesus is the God Who can deliver us out of our own hands, our own selves… our selves who can be impatient, wasteful or self-righteous. Jesus said, “Then come, follow me.” Let’s support each other in the walk.
Catherine Fitzgerald
Community Outreach Program – CSS Mental Retardation Services Division
“Amen, Amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.”
The Jews, not seeing the deeper message in these words of Jesus, question and doubt his purpose. Staying humble and steadfast in his purpose to spread God’s word, Jesus implores them to see that they are all creatures of the same God; their own father in faith, Abraham, believed as much. Still, they doubt and question his wisdom, hearing only the words themselves. In the face of their doubts and questions, Jesus retreats, but not in defeat. He retreats with the knowledge that trust and faith in God’s word will keep their souls eternally alive.
In this reading, we see that as long as we trust in God’s word, we will live beyond the physical world. Taking these words literally, we would fail to see the broader scope of our existence. We do not live for ourselves, but as a part of a larger purpose: to have faith and trust, to stand firm in the face of the questions and doubts that come against our beliefs.
Shane Natter
St. Gabriel’s Hall – CSS Juvenile Justice Services Division
Friday, April 2, 2004
What struck me after reflecting on today’s readings was the strong reaction of the people to whom Jeremiah and Jesus were speaking. On the one hand there were those who were angered and who denounced them and wanted to do them harm. At the same time, particularly with Jesus, there were many who heard him speak and who believed him and who wanted to change their lives. How do we account for such a sharp contrast in reactions?
Many of those who reacted negatively to Jesus had a strong vested interest in the religious establishment of the day and did not seem to be open to a fuller and deeper interpretation of the law and scripture. Their anger was based on the fear of losing their power and prestige. Those who reacted positively hungered for change in their lives and were willing to believe Jesus. They were also willing to look beyond their religious leadership for the truth and take risks.
Just as in Jesus’ times there will be those of us who, when we hear Jesus’ Word either through scripture or sense His presence through those with whom we come in contact, will react against any change that may disrupt our comfortable lives. There will also be some among us who will be open to change if it brings us closer to God and more open to the needs and concerns of others. Are we willing to risk change no matter how disruptive or uncomfortable it may be for us?
Let us pray: Dear Lord, help us to react positively to Your presence among us and be open to taking risks that may change our lives and help us to be true servants to one another.
George Salloom
St. Mary Manor - Catholic Health Care Services
My name is Timothy Little Jordan. I was born and raised in North Philadelphia, but currently I live in Mt. Airy. During that time when we were in North Philadelphia, my family and I lived in a housing development which was known as “The Projects”. We ran into some rough roads there, and there was no one to look to for help but God. There were a lot of bad paths I traveled: hanging out with negative peers, getting arrested, disrespecting others, not attending school resulting in bad grades, and not obeying my mother’s rules in her house. When I finally realized how the things I was doing were affecting my life, and other lives around me, it was too late. Sometimes I wonder if I am going to heaven or hell because of some of the negative behaviors of my past.
Another reason life was a little rough for me was that I didn’t have a father figure to show me the ropes and how to be a man. My mother is my only parent, and she is the "bread winner" in our family. I’m currently in a reform school trying to figure out why I made bad decisions, and how I can make better decisions before I go back out into society.
Every night before I go to sleep I pray to God to watch over me while I am in this facility and when I am eventually released. I also ask God to allow me to wake up to see another beautiful day. As a result of all these situations in my life, I am currently in the Accelerated Diploma Program class at St. Gabriel’s Hall and will be graduating in June 2004. I hope to attend college next fall, and also to have a job. I’ve achieved this much so far with God’s help, and the help of my teachers, family, staff, social workers and having faith in myself.
In conclusion, I want to say that today’s reading from Ezekiel tells me that I too was divided before into two kingdoms, each struggling for control of me. Before today, I was captured by the streets and everything that goes along with that. Thanks to God’s help, I am now a part of His People. I have been delivered from what I was before, and am now a strong member of God’s family. God has given me peace. By learning from the mistakes I have made, my children and their children will have a better path to follow with clearer knowledge of God’s Way, just like it says in Ezekiel 37, today’s first reading.
Timothy Jordan
St. Gabriel’s Hall - CSS Juvenile Justice Services Division
