Gospel Meditation

March 6, 2021

All is Not Lost

March 7, 2021
3rd Sunday of Lent

Many prefer a “create as you go” approach to life where laws and protocols primarily exist to secure and protect liberties rather than dictate and outline proper and right behavior. There are no real benchmarks for acceptable ethical and moral behavior, with a “you can’t tell me what to do” attitude prevailing. Parents are even limited in what they can request of their children, and dealing with threatening behaviors, especially from adults, are a challenge as well. Acceptable and expected conduct seems to amount to safeguarding each other’s space rather than increasing awareness of necessary relationships that require a more refined and higher response.

We have lost our axis to the world of “anything goes” and no longer see the Ten Commandments as practical and wise guideposts to effective living. We live on “relativism island” where only a possible suggestion to “love and do not harm” may be the only standard able to be preached. While Jesus most certainly emphasized love above anything else, it was never about warm fuzzy feelings or halfhearted humanitarian efforts. The love of which Jesus spoke establishes an intimate connection with God, neighbor, self, and creation. Because this love, who is God Himself, is at the foundational core of our lives, it demands actions and attitudes that serve to build up, increase, and free up those relationships. Love requires proper conduct. Preserving and enhancing these love centered relationships is at the heart of the Ten Commandments (and the Beatitudes) and the reason for Jesus’ display of anger in the temple.

The Ten Commandments can save the world from turmoil and conflict by instilling basic moral and relational principles within us. They also hold a healthy sense of sin in balance and always remind us of our relationship with God and the freedom God offers. Our faith preserves these jewels of truth that we often look beyond, dismiss altogether, or seek to remove from public view. Human beings can be so arrogant at times. Our Lenten journey, especially when embarked upon with sincerity and resolve, can restore all of our essential relationships. When we get absorbed in life’s preoccupations and demands, things can quickly get distorted and we can find ourselves way off track. In short, we find ourselves in sin. Humanity is losing a sense of both grace and sin. We need both to understand what is real and true. Until we do, the oppressive systems and ideologies that hurt so many will never change. We will never change. We are grateful for those courageous souls who willingly embrace the conversion and hard work Lent demands and stand against antiquated systems and ideologies. They give us hope that all is not lost.

©LPi

MEDITACIÓN EVANGÉLICO (Gospel Meditation)

All is Not Lost Spanish

7 de marzo de 2021
3er Domingo de la Cuaresma

La lengua se pega al paladar a causa de la sed. Reflexione con esta frase en todas las generaciones de migrantes que han cruzado el desierto con poca agua. Algunos, incluso, han encontrado la muerte por falta de este precioso líquido. Buscan en medio del desierto un manantial para saciar la sed. Imagine el calor, el polvo y el sol que quema todo su cuerpo.  Muchas de estas personas que cruzan la frontera tienen consuelo y esperanza en saber que el Señor Jesús sabe de esta sed abrazadora a causa del camino bajo el ardiente sol.

La Liturgia nos narra el encuentro de Jesús con la samaritana y describe acerca de la sed del Señor. Cansado por el camino y al bordo del pozo, se da este encuentro. “Dame de beber”, le pide a la mujer (Juan 4:7). Jesús, tambiénpide agua en la cruz, ya casi para morir. “Tengo sed” (Juan 19:28). Jesús, es el manantial de vida eterna. Pide de beber y él se da a sí mismo como fuente de vida. “Uno de los soldados le abrió el costado con la lanza, y al instante salió sangre y agua” (Juan 19:34). Jesús, desea darnos de beber a nosotros, en su infinita misericordia no quiere que tengamos sed. “Si conocieras el don de Dios, si supieras quién es el que te pide de beber, tú misma le pedirías agua viva y él te la daría” (Juan 4:10).  Solo Dios puede saciar nuestra sed infinita. Todos los cristianos, por el bautismo, estamos comprometidos a dar de beber a nuestro prójimo por medio de actos de caridad y servicio. Al darnos a los demás alcanzaremos a beber del agua viva que es el Señor.  Pronto los catecúmenos tomarán de esa agua viva que quita la sed para siempre.

©LPi