Gospel Reflections for April 2 2017
Our Lenten School of Love
“Our son wants to get married, do you have any advice? I simply asked one question. “Does he like to think for himself? They said, “Why yes!” “Then the Gospels of Lent will reveal life events to him that can become his own “School of Love.”
FIRST SUNDAY: Jesus is tempted in the desert. Each is a temptation for selfishness; to have power and wealth just for me. Every sin is some form of selfishness. If he wants to have a lasting marriage he must resist selfishness, and learn to love by seeing life through another’s eyes.
SECOND SUNDAY: Jesus is transfigured on the mountaintop. For a brief moment, Jesus reveals His love in a glorious burst of light that makes the apostles very happy. Love transforms us wonderfully. It is contagious too and makes the world a better place …one relationship at a time. Births, Weddings, and Anniversaries, are all transforming events of great joy. They lead us to God.
THIRD SUNDAY: The woman at the well. She had been married five times and is now a social outcast; lonely, bitter, and resentful. Jesus melts her hardness with understanding, forgiveness, and mercy. To be known, cared for, and gently challenged to grow by a wise and loving partner is deeply satisfying. We find God in moving from a bitter past to a hopeful future.
FOURTH SUNDAY: The healing of the man born blind. We stumble when we close our eyes. Healthy families feel free to see what is actually going on, carefully listen to each other’s hopes, fears, and needs, and speak about them honestly and respectfully. Jesus heals because it is better to see, than not see, speak, rather than not speak, and listen, rather than not hear.
FIFTH SUNDAY: Lazarus is raised from the dead. The most compelling lesson of all is facing our own mortality. Lazarus was raised but he would die again. No one lives forever, and since we do not have all the time in the world we must use our time well. Facing our death or a loved one’s passing can help us ponder …why am I here at all, in this place, and at this time?
Temptations, celebrations, forgiveness, opening our eyes, and facing our own mortality are life events that lead us on the path to God …and lasting happiness. Lent is the School of Love.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Lent–the school of love. How appropriate that the University Series occurs during Lent! The University Series embodies schooling in loving and happy living. And how appropriate it is that, year after year, the Church provides the Three Scrutinys for Catechumens on the third, fourth and fifth Sundays of Lent. The Catechumens are exposed to healing by Christ, the Living Water, to seeing the truth through Christ the Light of the World and to eternal life through salvation by Christ.
Yes, it is an amazing and beautiful sequence of themes for the Catechumens.
I liked the way you listed the weeks of lent. It puts it in perspective. If we look at it the way you put it and the way it is meant to be, there is a lot of healing for us if we look at it that way. It is not going to Mass to fulfill an obligation. There is real meaning and healing if we really look at it as to what is God saying to me today.
I think maybe this Sunday God just might like to raise us from the deadness of our hearts. I’ll take that… 🙂
Yes, I am sure that is God’s plan!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it Father Dave!!! Lent is a Scool of Love!!! The University series has truly been a school of loveeee for so many!! The classes are overflowing with soooo many people!!!They are being touched, encouraged, inspired to live God’s precious love!!!Life is a beautiful gift and we must make the world beautiful by living God, Jesus, and our Mary’s precious love and radiating it to others!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it and loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee you for inspiring us!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, franca and Dick
I am glad to hear the University is going well!
Hi Father Dave,
Yes … time is a precious commodity. Roughly twenty-seven years ago, I was out walking in the morning with a friend and suddenly a million gray particles seemed to explode in my head, and I collapsed. I felt frozen. My vision started to leave as though I were looking through a peephole that was shrinking. Another friend passed by, and she knelt by my side. She prayed the Act of Contrition, and I did, too, quietly. I honestly thought I was going to pass away, and I wasn’t a bit afraid. I believed there was nothing I could do. It was out of my hands. Obviously, I’m still here. An ambulance took me to the hospital and many hours later, I simply recovered. Perhaps God had another plan in mind.
Thank you for sharing your remarkable story of recovery from that event! I am sure you understand your life in a whole new way now.
What a beautiful reflection. I have so enjoyed seeing you in my email. I wanted to say ‘thank you’ now because we will be traveling soon and may not have ready access to you. Please pray for us to have a safe journey. We will celebrate Easter at the beautiful Church of St. Peter in Ponta Delgada on the Island of Sao Miguel, the Azores, Portugal. It is our 1st port after crossing the Atlantic. God Bless you Fr. Heney and a Happy Easter
Happy Easter and Bon Voyage!
God Bless all the Catholics during this Lent season. I pray for you, Father Dave, for all of your great works and for the priests overseas who have to address the many evil things that are happening. I just have to keep reminding myself God is in control (since I have a tendency of wanting to take control of things 😉
Happy Easter!
Janice
Thank you for your prayers!