The Third Sunday of Lent begins with a reading from the Book of Exodus of ‘the Law of the Lord’ (the Ten Commandments) given to us through Moses (Cycle B, all masses except the 9:30 Mass where attendees hear Cycle A because of the Scrutinies for the O.C.I.A.). These ‘laws’ given by Moses are the Words of God; a pattern of behavior we are asked to live by. The Responsorial Psalm today says it all regarding God’s laws: “Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.” (We know that sin is death.) The Psalm tells us that God gives wisdom to the simple, and that the command of the law is clear: God’s words are more precious than gold and “sweeter than honey from the comb. The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.” God’s Word is the opposite of sin; it is life everlasting.
The Psalmist understood this truth, as does St. Paul in his First Letter to the Corinthians. He tells them (us!) that Christ is the power and the wisdom of God. “We proclaim Christ crucified” and so the verse before the Gospel says that those who believe in him will have eternal life. Christ is the Word, and those who follow Him will have their souls refreshed and will live forever.
As far as following the Word (the law), the Gospel of John tells us that Jesus understood human nature well (being human himself, though divine). He knows our daily challenges in living the Law.
Lent is a season for reflection and silence—all three calls for Lent (prayer, fasting and almsgiving) are related to each other. We are asked to pare down, to ‘spare down’ our lives to hear God’s voice, God’s Word. We simplify so as not to be distracted by worldly things. We need to pray in quiet to hear God’s voice, directing us to action through God’s word. We rend our hearts, we repent and we remember God’s saving grace and mercy for us in Jesus’ sacrifice.
We look forward to the renewal of our covenant with God, the Word: our renewal of our baptismal promises at the Easter Vigil Mass. My prayer is that we may all come through this Lenten journey renewed in faith; and through us and our actions, prove God’s holiness and kindness in these difficult times.
The Gospel today recalls the words of prophetic Scripture (B) applied to Jesus: “Zeal for your (God’s) house will consume me.” May these words be words about all of us, too!
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
The Psalmist understood this truth, as does St. Paul in his First Letter to the Corinthians. He tells them (us!) that Christ is the power and the wisdom of God. “We proclaim Christ crucified” and so the verse before the Gospel says that those who believe in him will have eternal life. Christ is the Word, and those who follow Him will have their souls refreshed and will live forever.
As far as following the Word (the law), the Gospel of John tells us that Jesus understood human nature well (being human himself, though divine). He knows our daily challenges in living the Law.
Lent is a season for reflection and silence—all three calls for Lent (prayer, fasting and almsgiving) are related to each other. We are asked to pare down, to ‘spare down’ our lives to hear God’s voice, God’s Word. We simplify so as not to be distracted by worldly things. We need to pray in quiet to hear God’s voice, directing us to action through God’s word. We rend our hearts, we repent and we remember God’s saving grace and mercy for us in Jesus’ sacrifice.
We look forward to the renewal of our covenant with God, the Word: our renewal of our baptismal promises at the Easter Vigil Mass. My prayer is that we may all come through this Lenten journey renewed in faith; and through us and our actions, prove God’s holiness and kindness in these difficult times.
The Gospel today recalls the words of prophetic Scripture (B) applied to Jesus: “Zeal for your (God’s) house will consume me.” May these words be words about all of us, too!
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
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