Lent (Page 26)

Friday, March 15 Readings: EZ 18:21-28; MT 5:20-26 The bottom line of the first reading today (literally the last line in the reading!): if you turn away from sin, you will live.  And then the gospel gives us the beginning of Jesus’ famous series, “You have heard it said…but I say to you…”  Where Jesus takes us deeper into the spirit of some of the teachings of his day. What might these mean for us? As far as I can…

Tuesday March 12 Readings: IS 55:10-11; MT 6:7-15 My summary for today: words matter. Isaiah tells us that God’s words go out into the world and do not return until they have done what they intended to do.  In the gospel, Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray using specific words that he urges them to use. Words are not insignificant.  They are a form of energy, and if we take the biblical narrative and consciousness seriously, we will see…

Monday March 11 Readings: LV 19:1-2, 11-18; MT 25:31-46 Either one of these readings from today could be a doctoral thesis:  the commandments or the Last Judgement. I’ll focus on the gospel, but I would invite you to go back and read the reading from Leviticus carefully.  I think there is so much more there than most of us knew in terms of justice, labor practices, human relationships, etc.  It’s no wonder many Christians didn’t understand Jesus.  We never even…

First Sunday of Lent Readings: DT 26:4-10; ROM 10:8-13; LK 4:1-13 I want to offer a short reflection on each of today’s readings because they are so rich. In the first reading, Moses is instructing the people.  He recounts the history of all that they have been through but more importantly all that God has seen them through.  And thus they are instructed to offer the “first fruits” of the harvest in gratitude.  More than anything else, the Hebrew scriptures…

Saturday, March 9 Readings: IS 58:9B-14; LK 5:27-32 Isaiah tells us today (speaking for God): If you remove the oppression in your midst, stop with the malicious speech and accusation, feed the hungry and satisfy the afflicted, the light is going to rise again, your strength will be renewed and the ancient ruins will be rebuilt. “Repairer of the breach,” they shall call you, “Restorer of ruined homesteads.” What an amazing vision for the world – repair and restoration!  It…

You may have heard the oft-quoted phrase, “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you an automobile.”

“How do I know if something gives me life or drains it? How do I know if something supports a culture of life or the culture of death? Who or what helps me to get clear?”

Knowing that you will one day die, how is it that you plan to LIVE?