IV Sunday of Lent:[A]: I Sam 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13; Eph 5:8-14; Jn 9:1-41

IV Sunday of Lent:[A]: I Sam 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13; Eph 5:8-14; Jn 9:1-41

Introduction:  On this Laetare (4th) Sunday of Lent the Holy Mother Church exalts us to be joyful because, Christ our Shepherd-King comes to us with power, majesty and dominion in a special way in order to cure us of both the physical and spiritual blindness that prevent us from living our lives to its fullest potential. As the anointed one from the Davidic lineage Christ assures us his flock by his gratuitous saving help that though we are often assailed by fears and misgivings in this world of darkness, He, our Shepherd-King and the second David lights up our ways and leads us to his Kingdom unblemished.

Scripture Lessons:  In today's Old Testament reading Samuel anoints David with oil. Over the young man's head, the prophet pours a horn of oil - and the spirit of the Lord rushes upon David. The Gospel shows Jesus using his saliva and clay to make a rough and ready ointment. He anoints a blind man and the man washes, he suddenly sees. 

The lessons which we must learn from this man include that the man was obedient to the instruction or injunction given to him: “Go wash in the pool of Siloam,” just as Naaman the Syrian was, though, after much argument and persuasion (II Kg 5: 1-15), and as Samuel obeyed God’s command to go to the house of Jesse to anoint the Shepherd-King. The blind man did not mince words there but simply obeyed what Christ asked him to do. Of course, he got his healing immediately. Many of us are so stubborn that we do not obey the commands of Christ our anointed Shepherd-King yet, we want to be liberated.

The next lesson is that we must be consistent with our words, faith, convictions, and the truth. In spite of all the quizzing and intimidation of the Pharisees the man remained truthful and firm without caving in or denying that it was Christ that healed him. Instead, he insisted: “The man called Jesus…said to me go and wash at Siloam; so I went, and when I washed I could see…He is a prophet!” According to St. John Chrysostom: “The the Pharisees cast him out of the Temple; but the Lord of the Temple found him.” If our witness of Jesus and his redeeming power in our lives separates us from our fellow neighbors, it nonetheless draws us nearer to Jesus himself.

we experience Jesus as the Light of the World. What does light do?  It dispels darkness; it makes us recognise possibilities. In the context of the gospel of today, the light helps us recognise God in person of Jesus.  Paul warns us to avoid the darkness of sin that we might walk more clearly in the light of Christ (Eph. 5:8-12). So my dear brethren, as we continue our journey this Lenten season, we must not allow any blind spot to blur our vision of what God is doing for us, offering us, and requiring of us? We must continue to say of our Shepherd-King as the Psalmist: “The lord is my Shepherd (and King); there is nothing I shall want” (Ps. 22:1)!

Joke:   A blind man is walking down the street with his guide dog one day.  They come to a busy intersection and the dog, ignoring the high volume of traffic zooming by on the street, leads the blind man right out into the thick of the traffic.  This is followed by the screech of tires as panicked drivers try desperately not to run the pair down.  Horns blaring, the blind man and the dog finally reach the safety of the sidewalk on the other side of the street, and the blind man pulls a cookie out of his coat pocket, which he offers to the dog. 

A passerby, having observed the near fatal incident, can't control his amazement and says to the blind man, "Why on earth are you rewarding your dog with a cookie?  He nearly got you killed!" The blind man turns partially in his direction and replies, "To find out where his head is, so I can kick his rear end!"

Life messages:  1) Try to remove the root causes of our blindness:  namely, self-centeredness, greed, anger, hatred, prejudice, jealousy, addiction to evil habits and hardness of heart.

2) Acknowledge our own blindness and come to the presence of light of the World. Obey his commands, and instructions and let his wonders work in and around us.

3) We need to allow Jesus to heal our spiritual blindness.  We all have blind-spots -- in our marriages, our parenting, our work habits, and our personalities.  We often wish   to remain in the dark, preferring darkness to light. Even practicing Christians are blind to the poverty, injustice and pain around them.  Let us remember, however, that Jesus wants to heal our blind-spots. 

Introduction: Fourth Sunday of Lent

Message: Samuel does not see as God sees in the choice of David, who is anointed with oil.  As Jesus cures the blind man, so too are we brought from darkness into light through the grace of baptism.

Saints and Events in this week:  2-Second-Wednesday-Saint Francis of Paola, hermit; 4-Fourth-Friday-Saint Isidore, bishop, doctor of the Church; 5-Fifth-Saturday-Saint Vincent Ferrer, priest;

III Sunday of Lent:[A]: Ex 17:3-7; Rom 5: 1-2, 5-8; Jn 4: 5-42

III Sunday of Lent:[A]: Ex 17:3-7; Rom 5: 1-2, 5-8; Jn 4: 5-42

Introduction: The gospel reading of today invites us to reflect on the story of the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman, so that we may experience Jesus as the Living Water.  The Holy Spirit of God, the Word of God and the Sacraments of God in the Church are the primary sources of the living water of Divine Grace. Washed in it at Baptism, renewed by its abundance at each Eucharist, invited to it in every proclamation of the Word, and daily empowered by the Spirit, we are challenged by today’s Gospel to remain thirsty for the living water which only God can give. We are assembled here in the church to drink this water of eternal life and salvation.  

Background: Jesus was crossing through Samaria – a fact registered at the beginning that probably doesn’t mean much to us.  But most Jews of the period would not have gone through Samaria; they would have gone around it. Samaritans and Jews, though they believed in the same God, had never forgiven each other for earlier issues, especially the Samaritan intermarriages with pagans. There were also some theological differences, one main one being that Jews believed God was in the Temple in Jerusalem while Samaritans believed God was on Mount Horeb where they worshipped.  In any case, Jesus goes through Samaria, making that the first rebellious thing he does. He and the disciples are tired, so when they reach a famous watering place called Jacob’s well, he sends the disciples into the city for food, but they seem to have taken with them their supplies – which meant that Jesus did not have a container to put any water in. It was noon and it was hot and Jesus became thirsty.

Now the woman who comes to the well is not traditional either. Normally women would come to the well for water early or late in the day to avoid the heat of the noon sun. No woman in her right mind would come at noon. Women would always be accompanied. This woman came at noon and alone. Unusual! It might have meant that she was an outcast and the other women might not have anything to do with her, for as we see later she was very promiscuous / licentious.  In no way would a man sit with a woman, alone, in Hebrew society. It just was not done. But Jesus asks the woman for water. Even if he could have talked to her, he certainly would not, for purity reasons, drink out of her vessel. But he asks her for water.  She is rather taken aback by this, and does ask him if he knows what he is doing. The fact that she would flaunt tradition and talk to him is important also, and says something about her character.  Was she looking for someone to pick up at the well, that she would engage in any conversation?

Exegesis: The experience of God often comes in stages.  It is a journey.  This was true also for the Samaritan woman.  When Jesus initiated a dialogue with her, her immediate reaction was, “You are a Jew.  How is it that you ask me…“ (Jn 4:9). A blatant refusal to relate!  This refusal comes from her wounded self. As she was wife to many men, she has a problem in relating to people. She has a very dubious way of relating to men that makes her suspect Jesus’ intentions. She is too physically oriented in her outlook of events and persons.  She looks at Jesus as a man – a Jew.  And when Jesus talks about water, she is thinking of H2O. But Jesus has a plan for her.  He would not give up.

As the “hound of heaven” God comes after us.  He moves us from within.  He stands and knocks. Waiting! This gratuitous way of relating to the woman begins to touch her. This is not perhaps how her previous six men had related to her.  She responds.  She gets interested. “Sir,” said the woman, “give me some of that water…”(v.15). Her respect for Jesus increases.  She addresses Him, “Sir!” A step further from verse nine where she wanted to have nothing to do with that Jew!  But still she is physically oriented: she is focused on the water from the well.  When Jesus speaks of ‘the living water’ she thinks in the Semitic sense of ‘water from the spring’: “You have no bucket, sir, and the well is deep: how do you get this living water” (V.11)?  Further on, when Jesus challenges her at a personal level and to invite her to get deeper, she begins to discover Jesus more, “I see you are a prophet, sir” (v.19).  Nearing the climax of the journey, she comes up with a sense of expectation, “I know that Messiah – that is, Christ – is coming; and when he comes he will explain everything”(v.25). This was her time.

Anecdote: There is a Greek monastery at Mount Athos in which nothing female is allowed. Men can enter but not women, roosters but not hens, horses but not mares, bulls but not cows.  Armed guards patrol the border to insure that nothing feminine passes the gates.  It has been this way for more than 700 years. [Arnold Prater, The Presence, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1993).]  Separate but definitely not equal: that has been the attitude toward women of many churches through the ages.  So, it's really remarkable that this particular Samaritan evangelist happens to be a woman.  She would be as surprised about it as anybody.  When she first met Jesus, she was surprised that even he talked to her.  Once converted, she became an evangelist, enthusiastically introducing Jesus to her fellow villagers.

Joke:   On Sunday morning, the preacher brings in 4 covered jars with one live worm in each. In one he poured whiskey, in one he poured liquid chocolate, in the third one he poured cigarette smoke and in the fourth one he threw in dirt. Result was nothing unusual. Worms in first three jars died. He then looked at the congregation and said, "I don't have to tell much. I believe you have learnt a clear lesson". Then he pointed at a little girl and asked, "Sweet heart, can you tell what have you learnt?" Without any hesitation she said," If you drink, smoke and eat chocolate you'll never have worms".

Practical Applications: 1) We need to allow Jesus free entry into our personal lives.  A sign that God is active in our lives is His entering in to our personal, “private” lives. Jesus wants to get personal with us.

2) We need to be witnesses to Jesus like the Samaritan woman.  Let us have the courage to "be" Jesus for others, especially in those "unexpected" places for unwanted people.  Let us also have the courage of our Christian convictions to stand for truth and justice in our day-to-day life.

3) We need to be open to others and accept others as they are, just as Jesus did. We have been baptized into a community of faith so that we may become one with each other as brothers and sisters of Jesus and as children of God.  To live this oneness demands that we open ourselves to others and listen to one another.  We need to provide the atmosphere, the room, for all to be honestly what they really are: the children of God.  It is the ministry of Jesus that we inherit and share.

Introduction: Third Sunday of Lent

Message: Jesus satisfies our thirst for eternal life.  Through his Spirit his grace has been poured into our hearts.  God satisfies the thirst of the Israelites whose hearts had become hardened and rebellious. 

Saints and Events in this week: 25-Twentyfifth-The Annunciation of the Lord; 

II Sunday Lent:[A]: Ex 17:3-7; Rom 5:1,2,5-8; Jn 4:5-42

II Sunday Lent:[A]: Ex 17:3-7; Rom 5:1,2,5-8; Jn 4:5-42

Introduction: The common theme of today’s readings is metamorphosis or transformation. The readings invite us to work with the Holy Spirit to transform our lives by renewing them during Lent, and to radiate the grace of the transfigured Lord around us by our Spirit-filled lives. The transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain reminds us that the way of the cross leads to resurrection and eternal life, and that the purpose of Lent is to help us better to enter into those mysteries.

Exegesis:  The fact that Jesus takes his more intimate disciples to the top of this nameless mountain alerts us to the deeply personal nature of the episode to follow. When they arrive there, the appearance of Jesus suddenly changes. He is radiant with a light whose source is not identified. When Matthew notes that the face of Jesus "shone like the sun," he wants us to recall how Moses came down from Mt. Sinai with radiant face after having spoken with God (Exodus 34:29). Matthew considers Jesus to be the new Moses who brings a new revelation from God.

If that is so, it is entirely appropriate that Moses and Elijah should join him there, for they too had met God on a mountaintop and received a revelation that illumined their futures. The face of Moses glistened from the divine encounter on Mt. Sinai and Elijah outran the chariot of Ahab after meeting God on Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18:46). Peter knows that he is in the presence of God and makes a generous but unnecessary offer to build tents for the others. Finally, when the voice of God is heard, the baptismal affirmation is repeated and significant new words are added: "Listen to him." This tells us that Jesus is now ready to teach the ultimate divine wisdom of salvation through loving and self-giving.

Anecdote: You go into the movie theatre, find a seat that's suitable. You find a place for your coat, sit down, and get ready to watch the movie. The house lights dim; the speakers crackle as the dust and scratches on the soundtrack are translated into static, and an image appears on the screen. It is not the film you came to see. It is the preview of coming attractions, a brief glimpse of the highlights of a film opening soon. The moviemakers and theater owners hope the preview will pique your interest enough to make you want to come back and see the whole film. On the Mount of the Transfiguration, Peter, James and John, the inner circle of Jesus' disciples, were given a preview of coming attractions. Today’s gospel gives us a splendid preview of Jesus radiant in divine glory, his mortal nature brilliantly, though only momentarily, transfigured; a dazzling preview of his divinity, unalloyed and perfectly pure, shining in glory like the very sun. A sneak preview, in other words, of Easter, the triumphant climax of the epic love story between God and humankind.

Joke: You now that story about the four young monks who take a vow of silence? They're sitting in the meditation hall, when one of them complains out loud about something. Then the second one says "be quiet!" then the third one says, "you are both talking!" then the last one says, proudly, "I am the only one who has not spoken!"

Practical Application: 1) The transformation in the Holy Mass is the source of our strength. In each Holy Mass our offering of bread and wine becomes transformed into the body and blood of Jesus. Hence, just as the transfiguration strengthened the apostles in their time of trial, each Holy Mass should be our source of heavenly strength against our own temptations and a source of renewal of our lives during Lent.

2) Each sacrament that we receive transforms us. Baptism, for example, transforms us into sons and daughters of God and heirs of heaven. Confirmation makes us the temples of the Holy Spirit. By the sacrament of reconciliation, God brings back the sinner to the path of holiness. By receiving the sacrament of the anointing of the sick in faith we are physically and spiritually healed and our sins are forgiven.

3) We need these 'mountain-top’ experiences in our own lives. We can share experiences like those of Peter, James and John when we spend some extra time in prayer during Lent. Perhaps we may want to fast for one day, taking only water, thus releasing spiritual energy which in turn, can lift our thoughts to a higher plane. Such a fast may also help us to remember the starving millions in the world, and make us more willing to help them.

Introduction: Second Sunday of Lent

Message: Abram places trust in God’s promise of making his name and descendants great on earth.  In Jesus’ transfigured glory is revealed that life and immortality will rob death of its power.  The custom of reading today’s gospel near the beginning of Lent may have come from an ancient tradition which held that the transfiguration of Jesus took place forty days before Good Friday.

Saints and Events in this Week: 17-Seventeenth-Monday-Saint Patrick, Bishop, Patron of Ireland; 18-Eighteenth-Tuesday-Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop, Doctor of the Church; 19-Wednesday-Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary;  

I Sunday Lent:[A]: Gen 2:7-9, 3:1-7; Rom 5:12-19; Mt 4:1-11

I Sunday Lent:[A]: Gen 2:7-9, 3:1-7; Rom 5:12-19; Mt 4:1-11

Introduction: Today we are specially invited by the Church to celebrate Jesus Christ the second Adam, who by the power of the Holy Spirit overcame temptation and sin, and who by his obedience and faithfulness to the Father’s will gained back the world to the Father. This season of Lent as the Church in her wisdom has fashioned it, is a period when we join Jesus in his “Wilderness Experience” (praying and fasting) in order to prepare ourselves for the rest of the year and for the journey of faith ahead.

Exegesis:  The tempter urges Jesus to turn stones into loaves of bread. Jesus rejects the temptation to reduce his divine mission to satisfying immediate, temporal needs. The tempter then suggests that Jesus prove he is really the Son of God by jumping off the parapet of the temple: God would send his angels to save him. Jesus rejects the temptation to put God to a test. Finally, Jesus rejects the temptation to idolatry, even if that worship would enrich and empower him with all kingdoms of the world. Matthew affirms that Jesus remains faithful to his deepest personal truth, revealed when he came up from the water of baptism and the Spirit of God came upon him: "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased" (Mt 3:17).

Today’s Gospel (Matthew 4: 1-11) teaches us how the "desert experience" of fasting, praying, and soul-strengthening was a kind of spiritual “training camp” for Jesus which enabled him to confront his temptations successfully and then to preach the Good News of salvation.  The Gospel also prescribes a dual action plan for Lent: (1) we should confront our temptations and conquer them as Jesus did, by fasting, prayer and the Word of God.  (2) We should renew our lives by true repentance and live the Good News of God’s love, mercy and forgiveness.

Anecdote: A woman phoned God and bitterly said she didn't understand Him. God replied, “I too. Madam, that makes us even." Then He hung up. 

Joke: A Catholic priest working in an inner city was walking down an alley one evening on his way home when a young man came down the alley behind him and poked a knife against his back. "Give me your money," the young man said. The priest opened his jacket and reached into an inner pocket to remove his wallet, exposing his clerical collar. "Oh, I'm sorry, Father," said the young man, "I didn't see your collar. I don't want YOUR money." Trembling from the scare, the priest removed a cigar from his shirt pocket and offered it to the young man. "Here," he said. "Have a cigar." "Oh, no, I can't do that," the young man replied, "I gave them up for Lent."

Practical Application: 1) We are to confront and conquer temptations as Jesus did, using the means he employed.  Every one of us is tempted to seek sinful pleasures, easy wealth and a position of authority, power and glory, and to use any means, even unjust or sinful ones, to gain these things.  Jesus serves as a model for us in conquering temptations by strengthening himself through prayer, penance and the effective use of the Word of God. Hence, during this Lent, let us confront our evil tendencies by prayer (especially by participating in the holy Mass), by penance and by meditative reading of the Bible. 2) We are to grow in holiness by prayer, reconciliation and sharing during Lent:    a) by finding time to be with God every day of Lent, speaking to Him in fervent prayer and listening to Him through the meditative reading of the Bible; b) by being reconciled with God through the sacrament of reconciliation and reconciled with others by asking their forgiveness for our offenses; c) by sharing our love with others through selfless and humble service, almsgiving and helping those in need.

Introduction: First Sunday of Lent

Message: Like Adam and Eve, Jesus was tempted, but did not sin.  Our sinfulness is acquitted through one man, Jesus Christ, in whom we are justified.