Reflection by Deacon Matt

Reflection for 3rd Sunday of Lent: 

Ex 3:1-8a, 13-15: An interesting point of reflection for this week might be to take time to consider how intimately God knows each one of us. God knows Moses’ entire family history through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God also knows each of our lineage, all the way back to Adam and Eve. That, alone is a ponderous thought. Consider also that our God has been observing us, and others around us, our whole lives. Our God has observed and been aware of our conceptions, our births and all of the events of our lives. With that thought in mind, let’s be open to the fact that we have both; a lot to celebrate and a lot to repent of! May the Lord make us more aware of our faults, so that we may repent, seek forgiveness and amend our lives, as needed.

Psalm 103: “The Lord is kind and merciful.” After reflecting on God’s awareness of all of our virtues and all of our sins, it’s a comfort to reflect upon and know that the Lord, truly is kind and merciful. To be more aware of God’s kindness and mercy, we might first consider meditating on the many blessings that God has given to each one of us. Each blessing is evidence of God’s kindness, love and mercy. 

The ultimate sign of God’s kindness and mercy is God’s Sacrifice of His Son upon the Cross, for our Salvation. Each time we receive any of the Sacraments, we’re experiencing anew God’s love, kindness and mercy. Let’s strive to never take that for granted! God’s mercy and love are so palpably present in the Sacrament of Reconciliation! Then, consider the Eucharist, when Jesus’ own True Presence enters within us to accompany us, comfort us, and from which to minister to others through us.

1 Cor 10:1-6, 10-12: This passage is a serious caution from St. Paul. We’re cautioned to be careful not to be presumptuous about our salvation and forgiveness. While we know that God is ultimately merciful and forgiving, we also must be ever aware that God is also just. Our sins are known to God and must be repented of, by us, in order for us to receive forgiveness and justification before God. Lent is a perfect time for us to pray for more complete awareness of our sins and faults. We might consider praying to be more aware of how our sins and faults negatively affect others; so that we may try to make amends and seek reconciliation with others whom we’ve harmed, consciously or unconsciously. This “lesson in self-knowledge” is meant to be a gift, not a punishment. After all, we’re striving to radiate the love of God to others!

Luke 13:1-9: If there’s an underlying pervasive message through this Sunday’s readings, it’s that we’re called to be humble. We’re all sinners and we all are ultimately dependent totally upon the mercy of God in order for any and/or all of us to enter into eternal life and be saved. Only through faith in God’s forgiveness and mercy will any of enter the Heavenly Kingdom; not through good works, alone. Yet, as we know, good works and ministering to others are also important; for the Lord has said: “as long as you did it for one of these, my “least ones;” you did it for me” (Matt 25:40). Perhaps this week we can reflect upon the importance of faith and good works, in balance. This contemplation could well make for a productive, healthy and fruitful Lent.  

Meditatively, 
Deacon Matt