3rd Sunday of Lent

God hears the cry of his people and He calls Moses. So Moses will be the instruemtn of God answering the prayers of his people. Isn't that so true in life? Things are going wrong and we cry out to God and someone steps in with a word or some help. What if noone listens to God's call? Where would our help come from?

God's call does not just come from a mystical experience. It comes to us in reading His Word, the homily at Mass, the parish bulletin, a phone call, and maybe an e-mail. Just becuase the help being requested doesn't seem earth shaking, doesn't mention that it is not important to God's plan. Next time you "hear a call", answer like Moses did.

3rd Sunday of Lent

Exodus 3:1-8,13-15 God speaks to Moses from the burning bush and reveals His identity. He has heard his people's cry and has come to their aid. Reverence in the presense of God is called for.

Psalm 103 reminds us "The Lord is kind and merciful" This is a Thanksgiving psalm.

1 Cor 10:1-6,10-12 Paul reminds us of the Exodus, especially the time in the desert. God chastizes his people for their sins that they may turn to him and be saved. They have become over confident because of their Baptism. Part of the problem with the protestant "once saved, always saved" philosophy.

Luke 13:1-9 Parable of the fig tree. If we do not bear good fruit, we will be cut down. But note that God is patient. Luke addresses a common problem among Christians, complacency.

2nd Sunday in Lent

Consider the Apostles and why the Transfiguration was important to them.
1. The Apostles were good pius Jews. We can imagine them going to "Hebrew Parochial School" and being taught by The Massada Nuns, The Little Sisters of the Dead Sea. They knew their catechism. They knew their prayers, especially the Oy Vey Maria. They knew how to make the "Sign of the Star". Above all they knew what it meant to respect their Religious Authorities.
2. Their religious training is being called into question. They respected the Scribes, the Priests, and the Pharisees. They found a new Rabbi in Jesus of Nazareth. They were excited by his teaching. Now, they see that the authories they respected are opposed to Jesus. What do they do? Do they "reject" their training to follow Jesus? Do they "reject" Jesus to follow their religious training?
3. Jesus reveals himself standing with Moses and Elijah. He is in the middle, the place of honor. Doubt is removed. They see Jesus as the fulfillment of all their religious tranining, fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.
4. They need this assurance to face what is ahead. Jesus immediately begins to prepare them for the cross.
Consider our situation
1. There are many today who are calling our faith in Jesus into question. "Discovery of the tomb of Jesus"? Has the Church lied to us about the Resurrection?
2. There are religious leaders who call into question our religious training. They promote a heresy that has always plagued the Church: Christianity without the Cross.
3. When we have doubts and need assurance, where do we go? We go to the Church. In the Eucharist we see Jesus Transfigured before our eyes. We see him in his glory. We see him on the cross. He is firmly in the midst of the Church to confirm our faith.

2nd Sunday in Lent

Gen 15:5-12, 17-18 The Book of Genesis contains several stories of God establishing a Covenant. In the Abraham story that Covenant becomes personal, Thomas Cahill's book "The Gifts of the Jews" is a great Old Testament Bible Study of the Covenant that begins with Abraham. The Covenant is a gift of pure Grace on God's part.

Ps 27:1, 7-9, 13-14 serves as a link between the first two readings: "I believe I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the Land of the Living."

Phil 3:17-4:1 reflects the apocaplytic hope of the Covenant. Paul sees the Resurrection as the "First Fruits" of the Covenant.

Luke 9:28-36 The Transfiguration resounds with Paul's "glorious body", the change that will take place in us. His transfiguration foreshadows our transformation which is accomplished first in Baptism and finally in Eternal Life.