Thursday of the Third Week

Reflection

Among the commands Jeremiah spoke:  Listen to my voice ... Walk in my ways. But we are told “That this is the generation that does not listen to the voice of the Lord”. In a divided kingdom, ‘house will fall against house’. There will be darkness, pain, division, isolation, and misunderstanding. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus addresses the same problem. The ‘hard hearts” and ‘stiff necks’ miss the message that the ‘Kingdom of God has come upon you’ (11:20). Jesus teaches a Kingdom of Unity.

Jesus destroyed division and isolation; He restored relationships and built community. “Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke…” He was freed from isolation and able to relate with his family and friends. Jesus brought people together.  His Kingdom is one of Unity; it brings power and healing. It is a force for forgiveness and understanding.

We are called to build The Kingdom of God. We build unity when we listen to remove isolation and bring people together. We work for God’s Kingdom when we are instruments in the healing process and channels for forgiveness. We too can bring unity, power, and healing as we help to build the Kingdom of God.

Prayer

God Creator and Father, I adore and worship You.  Help me to listen, to reach out with kindness, to bring others together in Your Kingdom.  I pray in the Name of Your Son, Jesus Who lives with You in the Unity of the Holy Spirit One God forever and ever. Amen.

Janice Couture
Member of the SMC Worshipping Community

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

Wednesday of the Third Week

Reflection

In the first reading, Deuteronomy 4, versus 1, 5-9, Moses exhorts the Israelites to observe the laws that God has given. This will allow them to inhabit the promised land, Israel. Their observance of these laws will show the world their special relationship with God because of His closeness to them. He urges them not to forget them and to pass them on to their descendants.

The responsorial Psalm, extracted from Psalm 147 is a song of praise which sets Israel apart from other nations because only to Israel were these laws and ordinances given.

In the gospel, Matthew 5 versus 17-19, Jesus assures His disciples that He does not intend to replace the laws proclaimed by the prophets but rather to fulfill them. He goes on to say that these laws are eternal and are not to be changed in the slightest. Anyone who breaks them in even a minor way and teaches others to do so will be called “least in the Kingdom of heaven”.

It is interesting to me that in the gospel Christ does not directly say that these laws apply to everyone, not only to the Israelites. Nor does He say that those who break the laws will be damned - they remain in the Kingdom of heaven, though barely. Note that this penalty requires not only breaking the laws but teaching others to do so as well. He also implies that the “new and everlasting covenant” does not replace the law of the of the prophets but rather expands and fulfills it.

Prayer

Lord, Your laws are just and eternal, existing through all the ages. Help me to follow them all the days of my life and teach my children to do so. Amen.

Bill Thompson
Former Director of Computer Services, Member of the Worshiping Community

Scripture

First Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9

Psalm 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20
Gospel: Matthew 5:17-19

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

 

Tuesday of the Third Week

Reflection

From the fiery furnace, where he has been thrown with his two companions for refusing to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue, the words of Azariah strike a dire note that resonates even in our day:

“…we are reduced … beyond any other nation, brought low everywhere in the world this day because of our sins…. We have in our day no prince, no prophet, or leader…no incense … to find favor with you”

Although our context is different and, unlike Judah in the book of Daniel, we do not live under the oppression of another nation, yet there are parallels for our time. Not unlike ancient Israel, our country thinks of itself as having a destiny of greatness, as being a beacon to the world, a nation “under God” offering freedom and justice. But in so many ways we have been brought low: mass shootings terrorize communities; widespread drug addiction fuels crime and homelessness. We worship many false gods: money, success, technology, celebrities, our own desires. Self-centeredness and greed have led to a great rift, as some revel in unbridled wealth while many sink deeply into poverty. We are leery of making space for refugees and those we see as “other”. Our excessive consumption of goods and resources has led to destruction and pollution of the natural world. And, as Azariah says, we have no leader or prophet to point a way toward healing those ills. 

We are in need of repentance – a changing of mind and direction. But where can it come from? Only from our hearts. Hearts that recognize our part in the ongoing harm to our fellow humans and the natural world. Hearts that ask forgiveness and turn to God and neighbor and the world with care.

Prayer

Teach me your ways, O Lord. As you look with mercy and compassion on the world, teach me to act with compassion and kindness toward others, to seek and offer forgiveness when needed, and to work for justice and healing. Amen.

Zsuzsanna Kadas, P‘13
Professor Emeritus of Mathematics

Scripture

First Reading: Daniel 3:25, 34-43

Psalm: 25:4-5ab, 6-9

Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Monday of the Third Week

Reflection

Naaman, the commander of the King of Aram’s army had leprosy. The King’s servant recommended Naaman travel to Israel and be cured by a prophet she knew of there. Doing so, Naaman first went to the King of Israel—assuming he was the most powerful in that land. But Israel’s King disappointed Naaman when he explained that kings were unable to cure leprosy. Learning of Naaman’s situation, the prophet Elisha sent for him. Naaman went to Elisha and as instructed by him washed seven times in the Jordan. Unlike the Israelites who did not recognize the prophet, Naaman sought him out, was cured and believed. 

Much later, Jesus maddened the people of the synagogue in Nazareth when He related that despite disease and famine in the time of Elisha, Elisha was not accepted by his own people—only by two foreigners, the diseased Naaman of Aram and a starving widow from Sidon.        

How do we sort the barrage of messengers and messages coming our way today? Messengers of all sorts—political, commercial, scientific, religious... . Are we more easily persuaded by messengers of our liking?  Are we drawn to believe the messages we find agreeable and to reject others? The people of Nazareth were outraged by Jesus as messenger and His message. Could they not see and accept Him for who He was?  

How do we discern fact from fiction, sound from unsound, wise from not? Should we focus more on the message and less on the messenger? Should we seek out corroborators and evidence before reaching conclusions? Do we too quickly dismiss flamboyant blabbermouths and embrace more restrained speakers who  appear thoughtful?  Perhaps we should recall the maxims, “Beware of beautifully articulated and well documented wrong answers” and “Truth even when brutishly conveyed remains true”?

Prayer

Open our eyes Lord, open our ears, open our hearts.  Help us to look beyond distractions and discern messengers and messages of truth and the paths that bring us closer to You. Amen.

Church Hindes
Class of 1969

Scripture

First Reading: 2 Kings 5:1-15

Psalm 42:2-3; 43:3-4

Gospel: Luke 4:24-30

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Third Sunday of Lent

Reflection

In the gospel reading for the Third Sunday of Lent, Jesus speaks about a new temple, his body that will be raised to new life following his death on the cross. In the resurrection, it is this temple that will be raised and made glorious. But more than his resurrected body simply, we understand that the body of Christ is all of us who have been raised to a new dignity in the resurrection of Christ, given new life through the waters of Baptism and made members of the Church. The physical building that had been the Temple in Jerusalem is now replaced by the very body of Christ, who is the new edifice in which Christians find a home, a place to worship, and indeed their salvation.

For many, this all seems foolishness, and becoming members of the body of Christ utter nonsense.  But, as Paul reminds us today, the foolishness of the cross that we embrace and the resurrection of the dead that we expect is for those incorporated into the Body of Christ, the mystical Church, both power and wisdom. Not the power of the world, it is the power of God to save. And not the wisdom of the world, it is the wisdom of God by which we live.  All that the world may prize is undone in the light of the power of the cross to save and the wisdom of God by which we thrive amid life’s struggles.

Prayer

Mighty God and Lord of all, give success to our hands as we build the new Temple of the Lord, the Body of Christ, whose members we are. This we prayer in the name of Jesus, who is head of the Church and whose body we are. Amen.

Rev. David Theroux
Society of St. Edmund

Scripture

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

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Saturday of the Second Week

Reflection

How many times are we reminded in both the Old and New Testament that God is loving and merciful?  In the first reading Micah references over and over God’s forgiveness and the looking past our transgressions, pardoning of our sin and does not hold a grudge but rather is more delighted in being able to show clemency. This theme is repeated in the Responsorial with an emphasis on God’s love for us, not a focus on our sins. Luke’s gospel is a parable that we have heard many times as adults and children that tells us a story that is sometimes hard to understand. The one son is loyal to his father and seemingly chooses to do all the “right” things. The other son was given the same opportunity as far as his equal share of his father’s estate. However, he chose to go out and live a life of self-indulgence. As a parent, I can understand that there was a sense of disappointment that the second son did not use his share to benefit himself and his future. But the son is loved nevertheless and the father waited and hoped for his son to return. And when he did he was welcomed with open arms. The sons were very much loved not because of what they did or did not do but because they were his sons, his off-spring. The father did not “persist in anger” but rather celebrated in the compassion his love for each of them.

God is waiting for us with open arms like the father in the parable.  God’s kindness and mercy prevail no matter our choices.

Prayer

The Lord is kind and merciful. Please instill and nurture in me kindness and forgiveness. Help me to welcome and embrace humankind with compassion as You, O Lord, do with each of us. Amen.

Barb Gaida
Worshipping Community

Scripture

First Reading: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20
Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12
Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Friday of the Second Week

Reflection

Today’s reading comes from the story of Joseph, who was deeply loved by his father, more so than any of his brothers. Israel makes a tunic for Joseph, which becomes an outward sign to his brothers of the great love their father has for him. I cannot help but see the parallels to our own lives as believers in this notion. God too gives us a special gift that differentiates us from those around us in the secular world, this is the gift of his love and favor. He strengthens us in ways that others are no and leave sit up to us to be the outward sign of His love in the world. Just as Joseph’s brothers wished him harm because of his favor with their father, we too may often face the push back from those around us, but just as God protected Joseph from the evil of his brother’s, He too will protect us from the evil around us. In a world filled with malice and contempt, God provides the light; His light outshines all of the darkness of the world empowering us to bring His light to all those we meet.

Prayer

Lord, as we continue along this Lenten journey keep our hearts focused on the nature of this season and through reflecting on your message, bring us new resolve and confidence in the strength given each of us to bring your light to the darkest places. Amen.

Nick Wracker
Class of 2026

Scripture

First Reading: Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a
Psalm 105:16-21
Gospel: Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website