Friday in the Second Week of Lent: Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17B-28a, Matthew: 21:33-43, 45-46. Today’s readings are riches in storytelling and spiritual importance. I don’t mean to give short shrift to Joseph and his jealous brothers in Genesis, but I must explore it rather briefly to leave space to plumb …
Thursday in the Second Week of Lent: Jeremiah 17:5-10, Luke 16:19-31. Today, we hear the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus from the gospel of St. Luke. On its surface, this parable seems to warn us of too much enjoyment in this world because we will pay for it …
Wednesday in the Second Week of Lent: Jeremiah 18:18-20, Matthew 20:17-28. Today’s readings display two things clearly: how clueless the chosen people can be, and (somewhat related) the inevitable persecution of those who proclaim the Word of God. Jeremiah was a prophet 100 years after Isaiah, and the major power …
Tuesday in the Second Week of Lent: Isaiah 1:10, 16-20, Matthew 23:1-12. Today’s readings reveal much about the Master, that is, Christ, as well as how He wants His people to live in His Spirit. The Word of God spoken by Isaiah makes clear that religious customs won’t save the …
Monday the Second Week of Lent: Daniel 9:4b-10, Luke 6:36-38. Today’s readings call us to reflect on our sins. In the Book of Daniel, we are shown the model of a contrite heart for past sins. In the gospel of St. Luke, Jesus instructs us on how to avoid sins …
Second Sunday in Lent, The Transfiguration of Christ: Genesis 12:1-4a, 2 Timothy 1:8b-10, Matthew 17:1-9. Today we hear of the Lord’s glorious Transfiguration, set up wonderfully by yesterday’s readings on covenants (see The Difficult New Covenant of Love). There are many signs that point to the New Covenant, including the …
Saturday in the First Week of Lent: Deuteronomy 26:16-19, Matthew 5:43-48. A covenant is an agreement, a pact, a legal contract. When covenants are offered by God, they take on more significance, guaranteeing protection and favor for the people and adoration and obedience to God. Covenants with God are so …
Friday in the First Week of Lent: Ezekiel 18:21-28, Matthew 5:20-26. Today’s readings are very much concerned with what is central to a person, what is in their core, as opposed to the actions they take on the surface. First from the mouth of the prophet Ezekiel and then from …
Thursday in the First Week of Lent: Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25, Matthew 7:7-12. With eight kids vying for attention and elbowing for their piece of pie, my mother was fond of the saying, “Ask and you shall receive.” I must have heard it a hundred times growing up. Today, we …
Wednesday of the First Week of Lent: Jonah 3:1-10, Luke 11:29-32. We receive a warning from Jesus today about faithlessness. The readings trace his presence among several faithless generations who came to trust and fear God, including those of his time who challenged his authority. This is a valuable lesson …
