Thursday of the Third Week

Reflection
How great is our doubt, how prodigal. To ask for miracles before closing our eyes to them. When great good comes, we do not rejoice, but think, “this is right, so it should be,” as though every blessing is due to us even when we do not deserve it. We are no different from those of whom Jeremiah spoke when he said, “Faithfulness has disappeared; the word itself is banished from their speech.” We have abandoned God in our daily lives, and seek where He is not, for we no longer search for Him.

 

We are like the Pharisees and Scribes who questioned Jesus and accused Him of working for the devil. We are a kingdom divided against itself, though we are often blind to it. When we are faced with evil, we shudder, we crack, and like the feeble stones that have replaced our hearts, we crumble. It is in our brokenness that we turn away from God and His love.

We are not bound to desolation. We are reminded this day that there is hope; that love is alive in the world, and good can overcome. Our hearts that have long been in darkness need only to open their shuttered windows to witness the coming dawn. Lent is a time for reflection and preparation, a time for transfiguration and contemplation. Lent is a time of beautiful repentance, a time to turn our faces to God, and our backs to sin, a time to turn our lives around, a time to love and be loved, a time to believe, a time to have faith.

Prayer
Dear Lord, too long have we abandoned and accused You, in our ignorance we have forsaken You, but with softened and humble hearts, we now beseech You, grant us forgiveness and share with us Your mercy. Amen.

 Shawn Ward, ‘15

Scripture

First Reading: Jeremiah 7:23-28

Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9

Gospel: Luke 11:14-23

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website