Third Sunday of Lent

Reflection

In today’s first reading, God delivers His Ten Commandments saying, “I, the Lord, am Your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery.”  Being no longer under the reign of the Egyptians, I didn’t initially see how this passage related to my own life. Then I was reminded that God did not only save the Israelites from their physical slavery. God has also saved us, in the spiritual sense, from the chains of slavery that are our sins. Reflecting on Jesus’ death and resurrection is the purpose of our worship this Lenten season. Reading God’s Commandments is a reminder to us that we are called to praise and worship God for the gift He has provided for us: eternal life through Jesus Christ. However, the praise of God cannot only be forever on our lips. We must also put our thanksgiving into action by wrestling with God’s great Commandments, as we work to glorify our Creator. As we refresh and ponder the meaning of the Commandments, let’s recognize that each of us has our own unique struggles. For example, those in the Gospel struggled to respect the Lord’s House and turned it into a marketplace. In today’s times, perhaps one’s struggle may involve forgetting to honor the Sabbath, making Sunday a catch--up day for homework and chores and not of rest. No matter where our weaknesses lie, let us strive to keep God’s Commandments as a way of praising Him, as God works diligently to transform our hearts.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, we ask that You help us look critically today at how our actions may not be aligned with Your word. We pray that we are open to the power of the Holy Spirit to strengthen us in these areas so that we can grow closer to having a heart like You. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Allison Shea, ’16

Scripture

First Reading: Exodus 20:1-17
Psalm 19:8-11
Second Reading: 1 Cor 1:22-25
Gospel: John 2:13-25

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website