Do people see in Christians people who proclaim comfort in Jesus? Or, is it the case that we are all too often perceived as harsh, mean, uncaring? And yet, is not the point of a relationship with Jesus that we will know we are always loved when Jesus is close? Our lives are not spared from sorrow, but in Christ we never have to deal with them alone.
Today we pray for all those who are sick with the Coronavirus, that by joining their sufferings with Christ, they may make up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ.
For those of a particular generation, a certain phrase brings the Smothers Brothers to mind. “Mom always liked you best!”
On this second Sunday of Lent, we hear and reflect upon the Gospel of Matthew 17:1-9. Within this particular passage, the transfiguration occurs in which Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on top of a high mountain and transfigures before them, with Moses and Elijah appearing and speaking with Jesus. Through this reading, God is telling us that Jesus has just created the place in which the temporal world and the eternal world would meet. Jesus himself had just become the connection and the bridge between heaven and earth through his submission to God in all aspects of his life. Through reading about this event, we as followers of Christ must remember to continue to have perseverance through this time of Lent in our fasting and dedication of prayer so that we can show our discipleship through the giving of ourselves.
On this day of Lent I am looking for another fresh start as I always do on Monday. Lent is a fresh start people look to when they try and give something up. For this season of Lent I am doing something different, instead of letting myself decide I am letting the Holy Spirit decide what I should give up. I encourage you to do this as well, as it is very rewarding and meaningful. I hope you all have a fulfilling Lent this and every year forwards!
It seems the life of faith can sometimes feel like a ping pong match. On the one hand, a faith life is assenting to eternal truths. On the other hand, there is also the requirement to meet the needs of others in all we do as well.
Life is hard. Its ongoing pressures, injustices, war, famine, disease, suicide, and depression. Making the right decision isn’t always the easiest one to make and we can be tempted time and time again into breaking ourselves and our ideals.
During this Lenten season try to focus your mind and actions on putting others’ needs before you own.
Moses sets before the people today a blessing and a curse. It is hard to imagine that anyone would really choose a curse, but every time we sin we do. Why? How is it we can turn our back on God’s gift of life and choose the curse? Well, choosing life has consequences. Standing up for what is right and true can be hard, we can be persecuted for it. For this reason Jesus tells his disciples about his death, or warns his followers about self-denial and taking up a cross. Lent is a time where we are called to remember to take up a Cross so that we choose the blessing.
To help continue growth in faith, the DePorres Pages has created a list of livestreamed Mass sites, Catholic TV and Radio, and prayer resources.
