5th Sunday of Lent

 Like the elder brother in the parable from last Sunday we see people standing in a position of condemnation. Last week we heard: "... this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes" (Lk 15: 30) and today: "... this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery." (Jn 8: 3) The divine response to these allegations is: "But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found" (Lk 15: 32) and "Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again." (Jn 8: 11) It helps to remember, as we look towards Holy Week which starts the following Sunday, that the fruit of the Passion, death and resurrection of our Lord is mercy. The question for us today is, how have I manifested mercy in my life? Do I look at others through the eyes of Jesus or am I one with the scribes and the Pharisees who: "... were grumbling and saying: 'This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them'." (Lk 15: 2) Furthermore, let us all be open to God's mercy so we that can also receive God's forgiveness and know his mercy for ourselves.

4th Sunday of Lent

 All of today's readings speak of a new beginning: The Lord tells Joshua: "Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt" (Josh 5: 9) and the father of the prodigal son exclaims: "... for this son of mine was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found!" (15: 24) while St Paul tells the Corinthians: "If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything has passed away; see everything has become new!" (2 Cor 5: 17) Lent is not simply a season of self-denial - it is a season of renewal. We are renewed by God's love. The obstacle of our sin is no longer insurmountable because Jesus is risen, and his power is available to us through the Holy Spirit if only we have the courage to trust in him. Unfortunately, many people only realize this once they find themselves in the metaphorical pigsty. It is at that moment: "he came to himself." (Lk 15: 17) The discipline of Lent has the benefit of conforming us more to Christ and thereby opening us up to the gratitude of knowing that our heavenly Father is indeed the one who welcomes us home and restores us to our place in the family which is his Church.

3rd Sunday of Lent

 The God of the Old Testament, mysteriously speaking to Moses from the blazing tree, which remains unburnt, reveals himself as being one of forbearance and love: "The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity and transgressions and sin..." (Ex 34: 6-7). The power of God is manifested most in his mercy: "But you are merciful to all, for you care for all things, and you overlook people's sins, so that they repent. For you love all things that exist and detest none of the things that you have made, for you would not have made anything if you had hated it." (Wis 11: 25-28) That God is made flesh in our Lord Jesus Christ. Surprisingly, in the second parable for today he casts himself as the gardener who pleads for time so the tree may yet yield fruit. In his humility and love he not only pleads for us but gives his life for us. This generosity is a fitting prompt for us to work on our spiritual lives throughout Lent so that we may bear fruit for the Kingdom as missionary disciples.

2nd Sunday of Lent

 It is only in the Gospel of Luke that we discover the content of the conversation between Jesus, Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration: "... they were speaking of his (Jesus') departure (Gk. exodus), which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem." (Lk 9: 31) The brief revelation of Jesus' glory to the three apostles has a purpose. It tells them that they cannot expect to stay in the realm of spiritual ecstasy while they journey with Jesus. The journey for the disciples is indeed through the narrow gate of suffering and tribulation. The narrative of the Law and prophets is given shape not primarily by the exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt rather it is oriented to the greater victory of Jesus not over Pharaoh but over Satan and death, which is the consequence of sin. Not only does he accomplish this for himself but as the new Moses, he will lead us too to be transformed by his glory, not just in this life, but for eternity. As we hear in our Second Reading from St Paul to the Philippians: "But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself." (Phil 3: 20)

1st Sunday of Lent

 The fact that Jesus was tempted tells us that it is not a sin to be subject to temptation since: "For we do not have a high priest (Jesus) who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, be we have one who in every respect has been tested, as we are, yet without sin." (Heb 4: 15) The nature of those temptations: the appetites, worldly power and glory, and fame through wonder working, are evident in human history and our society today. One only needs to peruse social media and television to see that human nature has not changed in all this time. If anything, with the developments in technology and communications, these things have become even more immediate and sometimes destructive as we see in the power of narcotics. Sometimes we are so inured to our harmful habits we become blind to the temptations which are dangled before our eyes by advertisers or other purveyors of products for sensual gratification. The remedy, however, to these temptations remains the same - the Word of God. Jesus responds to the enticements of the devil by replying on Scripture and its saving message which instructs us to: "Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him." (Lk 4: 8) By observing Lent we shine the light of God's Word on our lives so that we may master our petty and insidious idolatries. In this way we are enabled to serve God more fully. It is only in this servitude that we find true freedom.

Ash Wednesday

 The First Reading speaks of a communal turning to God and repentance: "Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly; gather the people. Sanctify the congregation..." (Joel 2: 15-16) St Paul likewise urges a collective response to God's grace: "As we work together with him, we urge you not to accept the grace of God in vain." (2 Cor 5: 1).  By contrast Jesus speaks to the individual: "Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them." (Mtt 6: 1) Lent, I think, is both a collective and individual experience. Let us support one another in making a good and holy Lent. The challenge is to imitate Jesus in his fast after his baptism and prior to embarking on his public ministry. If we strive worthily this Lent, we will be prepared to receive the blessings God wants for us in Eastertide.

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time

 When I read the gospel for today and reflect on my life I am convicted by Jesus' teachings of my own shortcomings. How often have I been blind? Or, failed to notice the log in my own eye while seeing the speck in others? There is a saying that "hindsight is always 20/20." The capacity of human beings to rationalize their own conduct or delude themselves is tremendous. How else could many come to the conclusion that killing babies in the womb is a human right?! To be a Christian is to: "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Phil 12: 2) Until we die our lives are a work in progress. The fruit of our lives is manifest often after we have gone. However much of our experience is brought about through self-fulfilling prophecies: "Out of the good treasure of the heart, the good person produces good; and out of the evil treasure the evil person produces evil." (Lk 6: 45) Nevertheless, we do not lose heart. Every Sunday we celebrate the resurrection and are reminded of our loving God's power over sin and death: "The sting of death is sin, and the power of the sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Cor 15: 56-57)