The Scripture readings challenge us to spend time during this third week of Lent to examine ourselves in how we are living our Christian discipleship. The first reading gives us something that is familiar and that is the commandments. But we should not miss the first line of the reading: “In those days, God delivered all these commandments; ‘I, the Lord, am your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery.’” The God who gives us instruction is a God who delivers us from a place of destruction. The Gospel is St. John’s account of the cleansing of the Temple and “His disciples recalled the words of Scripture. ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’” In the last line of the Gospel, Jesus answered, “’Destroy this temple and in three days, I will raise it up’...He was speaking about the temple of His body.”
Today, we who are baptized are now the body of Christ and as St. Paul writes, we share in Christ’s death and resurrection and are temples of the Holy Spirit. All this leads me to the thought that we need to have the zeal of Jesus to examine ourselves and open ourselves to the grace of our Baptism to be purified. We do this with the knowledge that our God is a loving God and as we hear in the second reading, “Christ is the power of God and wisdom of God.” Let us take time out this week for personal reflection and examination of the dwelling place of God which is our person. Let us examine ourselves to see if the Lord is really the one leading us or do we have other idols that have taken control. Let us examine ourselves on how we are living God’s commands. Let us do this with a great desire to draw closer to God’s love, the Holy Spirit which will drive us to greater love of neighbor.
Prayer
Lord, as I begin this third Sunday of Lent, please lead me to a quiet place of personal reflection so that with the zeal of Your Son, I might examine myself, Your dwelling place, and draw closer to You.
Fr. Charles Ranges, S.S.E. ’67, Pastor of Holy Family-St. Lawrence Parish in Essex Junction, VT
Scripture
First Reading: Exodus 20:1-17
First Reading: Exodus 20:1-17
Psalm: 19:8-11
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:22-25
Gospel: John 2:13-25
Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website
1 comment:
Thanks Fr. Charlie for this reminder to reflect on the dwelling of God within ourselves and letting God take the lead. Zeal and quiet reflection are both essential to connecting and living out our relationship with God.
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