Our Lenten Journey - Homily Cycle C 4/03/2022 –
Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040322-YearC.cfm
Arnold Lunn in his book Now I See wrote that people since the time of Jesus wonder what He wrote in the dust? [Action, by Mark Link, S.J.]. Dramatically John is silent, some scripture scholars speculate that Jesus doodled on the ground because He was distraught. Distraught by what the scribes/Pharisees were doing to the woman and trying to do to Him.
Their primary objective wasn’t to uphold the law rather it was to trap Jesus. To trap Jesus as one who either violates the Law of Moses or as one who challenged Roman Rule. In our 1st reading Isaiah reminds us that God wants us to learn from the past, but not to live in the past. St. Paul tells us our supreme good is in knowing that Jesus is the Lord.
And, our Gospel verse teaches us, “Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart; for I am gracious and merciful.” Today’s Gospel tells us that Jesus prayed on the Mount of Olives and then went to the temple area to teach the people. One of the first things that grabs our attention [or should grab our attention] is the duplicity of the scribes/Pharisees in bringing the woman, but not the man to Jesus.
The scribes/Pharisees make a spectacle of the woman by making “her stand in the middle”. Yes, the woman sinned, so did the man; we are all sinners. Lent gives us the opportunity to own up to our sinfulness, so we should make time to go to Reconciliation and renew our faithfulness with Jesus. Our parish Penance Service is Sunday, April 10 at 7:00 pm.
Stations of the Cross can help us grow closer to the Lord and can help us reflect on our life as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Take a spiritual walk with me on the Stations of the Cross.
First Station Jesus is unjustly condemned – have we been unjust?
Second Station Jesus takes his Cross – have we taken up our cross?
Third Station Jesus falls – have we fallen?
Fourth Station – Jesus meets His Mother – have we loved our mothers?
Fifth Station – Simon helps Jesus – have we helped Jesus [by helping others]?
Sixth Station – Veronica helps Jesus – have we been compassionate?
Seventh Station – Jesus falls again – what do we do when we fall?
Eight Station – Jesus consoles the women – have we been kind to those who grieve?
Ninth Station – Jesus falls the third time – do we handle adversity the way Jesus taught us too?
Tenth Station – Jesus is stripped – how attached to material things are we?
Eleventh Station – Jesus is crucified – how often do we thank God for His great love?
Twelfth Station – Jesus dies – one day we will die; what will our legacy as a disciple be?
Thirteenth Station – Jesus is Taken Down – offer your gifts of grief to God and ask that they be blessed.
Fourteenth Station – Jesus is Buried – remember your life’s work is to Live Jesus.
“Thomas Merton observed that ‘the root of Christian love is not the will to love but the faith that one is loved by God … irrespective of one’s worth.’” [Table Talk, Year C, Jay Cormier]
Today’s Gospel Message is God’s Grace Summons us to Himself.
How will you answer that Call?
May God Be Praised!
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, intercede for us.
St. Michael, ask God to help the Ukrainians.
May your day be Blessed.
God of Peace, in Lent you draw us together to witness the depth of your love for us. Allow that love now to intercede in the invasion of Ukraine. Rescue your children. Unite our family. End this war. Amen. [Tatyana Borodina]
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