secular Institute for the laity under religious vows

St. Patrick was a real person. Learn about his simple teachings, his historical context and his journey through Celtic spirituality.
Placing St. Patrick in Context
from A Retreat With Patrick: Discovering God In All
by Timothy Joyce, O.S.B

Patrick lived in the fifth century, a time of rapid change and transition. In many ways we might say that those times of turbulence and uncertainty were not unlike our own. The Roman Empire was beginning to break up, and Europe was about to enter the so-called Dark Ages. Rome fell to barbarian invaders in 410. Within ten years of that time, the Roman forces began to leave Britain to return to Rome to defend positions back home. Life, once so orderly and predictable under Roman domination, now became chaotic and uncertain. Patrick entered the world of that time.

The British Church of Patrick's time was also intimately connected with the Roman Empire. Missionaries from the continent followed the development of Roman towns, travelling over the system of good Roman roads. This was an urban Church with bishops establishing their centers in these Roman towns. The great ecumenical councils, beginning with that in Nicea in 325, doctrinally solidified a developing and common faith throughout this Church.

As Ireland had not come under the Roman Empire, it was for the most part unnoticed and untended by the developing Church. There were some Irish Christians, mostly on the eastern and southeastern coast. Many of these were probably British slaves who had been taken into captivity by the Irish. There is a record of a Bishop Palladius being sent to Ireland before Patrick. But the mission of Patrick was unique. There had been, up to this time, no other organized or concerted missionary effort to convert any pagan peoples beyond the confines of the Roman Empire. Patrick's efforts to do this, in fact, were criticized as being a useless project. His call had come to him in a personal vision. Although it must have been validated by some ecclesiastical superior, it was a cause of jealousy and ridicule on the part of other churchmen. The more we see Patrick in the setting of his time, the more we must admire his courage, vision and faith. But we also see that his path brought him pain and suffering. Acclaimed as a great hero in ensuing centuries, he himself felt nothing of the sort in his own time.

Patrick, then, is an intensely human person and not a plaster saint to admire from afar. He offers us a Christian vision of life honed out of his own experience and trials. He offers us a challenge to live our own Christian life today in changing and turbulent times. He comforts us when we are criticized and ridiculed. He gives to us the Celtic vision of the intimate presence of God in creation, in the Church, in people and in Scripture. He is a model for us, giving us an example to follow as we struggle to live authentically our own Christian lives in our own difficult times.


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Timothy Joyce, O.S.B., is a Benedictine priest with a licentiate in sacred theology from Gregorian University in Rome. He is the author of Celtic Christianity: A Sacred Tradition, a Vision of Hope (Orbis Books).

Saturday

Daily Lent Prayer
"Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall declare your praise."


Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Opening Prayer:
Father,
you entrusted our Savior to the care of St. Joseph.
By the help of his prayers
may your Church continue to serve its Lord, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.

The Readings: Jer 18:18-20; Ps 31:5-6, 14, 15-16; Mt 20:17-28

Daily Meditation:
Joseph took her into his home.
Just a few days before the Annunciation, we turn to Joseph,
in his role as "husband of Mary."
Joseph can help us with our Lenten journey.
He did what the Lord asked him to do.
He became a servant who could not have fully understood God's ways.

When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.

Today's Daily Reflection

Intercessions:
All fatherhood in heaven and on earth has its origin in God.
Let us turn to him and pray:
Our Father in heaven, hear our prayer.

All-holy Father, you revealed to St. Joseph
your eternal plan of salvation in Christ,
- deepen our understanding of your Son, true God and true man.
Father in heaven, you feed the birds of the air
and clothe the fields with the fruit of the earth,
- give all your children their daily bread
to sustain soul and body.
Maker of the universe, you have entrusted your creation to our safekeeping,
- may all who work receive a just reward for their labors.
God of all righteousness, you want us all to be like you,
- May St. Joseph inspire us all to walk always in your way of holiness.
Look kindly on the dying and dead, and grant them your mercy,
- through the intercession of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Closing Prayer:
God of Love,
Joseph was the husband of Mary,
and you entrusted Jesus to his care.
I am inspired by his fidelity and integrity
as your self-sacrificing servant.
Allow Joseph to offer strength, courage,
fidelity and tender self-less love
to all husbands.
Let this holy family renew in me
the desire to be your servant,
faithful in the vocation you have given me.

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

Saturday

March 18th, 2006
by
Tom Shanahan, S.J.
University Relations and Theology
Click here for a photo of and information on this writer.
Micah 7:14-15, 18-20
Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Praying Lent
Daily Lenten Prayer
Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer



The gospel reading for today is a wonderfully familiar passage. We call it the story of the "prodigal son" with the main characters of the tale being a father and his two sons. The younger one gets his father to divide the inheritance between them and then he proceeds to go to a far off country where he squanders the inheritance. After a famine hits the region where the son is, he hires himself out as a farm hand and tends the swine of a prominent citizen of that place. After a while, he sees the folly of his ways and he decides to go back to his father and to confess his waywardness and to throw himself on the father's mercy. Anything is better than being a waiter for pigs.

How might the father respond? He has already been actively awaiting the son's return and when he finally sees him he throws a huge feast for the son. And now enter the older of the two boys. This son strongly objects to his father's generosity towards the prodigal and he complains that the father never acknowledged his own fidelity to his dad.

There is so much for us to contemplate in this familiar story. The one we call the prodigal has grievously offended the father. He effectively says to the father, "I consider you dead, so give me the inheritance that you owe me." Seeming not to blink, the father gives him what is his inheritance and the son goes off and squanders the inheritance and comes to his senses only when he discovers himself in dire straits.

The father not only forgives, but he is awaiting the son's return and he greets the son with lavish love and deep compassion. He then proceeds to call for a celebration that honors the "prodigal" and this action infuriates the older brother.

The passage might be more accurately called the "prodigal father" because indeed the father shows incredible lavishness in his treatment of his second born who had basically disowned his father. This is no ordinary father. As Jesus tells the story we see that the father stands for God the Father. The son is the sinner who finally realizes the consequences of actions and is lead to return to the father (God). The brother represents those of us who get stuck in our judgments and in our own goodness. He can't seem to get past his own faithfulness and he lets the father know about it.

The real message here is the forgiveness and the compassion of the Father who waits for us sinners to come back and the great joy he exhibits on our return. Can I truly believe that I will be received back like the prodigal son? Or, do I expect to be rejected as the older brother treated his wayward sibling?

As hard as it is to imagine and to believe: God rejoices at our return and celebrates it with joyful exuberance. God is indeed the Prodigal Father and I am the beneficiary of that prodigality. For this I am so very grateful.


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Sunday is the feast of St. Joseph in the Catholic Church

St. Joseph
Catholic Encyclopedia

Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and foster-father of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

LIFE
Sources. The chief sources of information on the life of St. Joseph are the first chapters of our first and third Gospels; they are practically also the only reliable sources, for, whilst, on the holy patriarch's life, as on many other points connected with the Saviour's history which are left untouched by the canonical writings, the apocryphal literature is full of details, the non-admittance of these works into the Canon of the Sacred Books casts a strong suspicion upon their contents; and, even granted that some of the facts recorded by them may be founded on trustworthy traditions, it is in most instances next to impossible to discern and sift these particles of true history from the fancies with which they are associated. Among these apocryphal productions dealing more or less extensively with some episodes of St. Joseph's life may be noted the so-called "Gospel of James", the "Pseudo-Matthew", the "Gospel of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary", the "Story of Joseph the Carpenter", and the "Life of the Virgin and Death of Joseph".

Genealogy. St. Matthew (1:16) calls St. Joseph the son of Jacob; according to St. Luke (3:23), Heli was his father. This is not the place to recite the many and most various endeavours to solve the vexing questions arising from the divergences between both genealogies; nor is it necessary to point out the explanation which meets best all the requirements of the problem (see GENEALOGY OF CHRIST); suffice it to remind the reader that, contrary to what was once advocated, most modern writers readily admit that in both documents we possess the genealogy of Joseph, and that it is quite possible to reconcile their data.

Residence. At any rate, Bethlehem, the city of David and his descendants, appears to have been the birth-place of Joseph. When, however, the Gospel history opens, namely, a few months before the Annunciation, Joseph was settled at Nazareth. Why and when he forsook his home-place to betake himself to Galilee is not ascertained; some suppose -- and the supposition is by no means improbable -- that the then moderate circumstances of the family and the necessity of earning a living may have brought about the change. St. Joseph, indeed, was a tekton, as we learn from Matthew 13:55, and Mark 6:3. The word means both mechanic in general and carpenter in particular; St. Justin vouches for the latter sense (Dial. cum Tryph., lxxxviii, in P.G., VI, 688), and tradition has accepted this interpretation, which is followed in the English Bible.

Marriage. It is probably at Nazareth that Joseph betrothed and married her who was to become the Mother of God. When the marriage took place, whether before or after the Incarnation, is no easy matter to settle, and on this point the masters of exegesis have at all times been at variance. Most modern commentators, following the footsteps of St. Thomas, understand that, at the epoch of the Annunciation, the Blessed Virgin was only affianced to Joseph; as St. Thomas notices, this interpretation suits better all the evangelical data.

It will not be without interest to recall here, unreliable though they are, the lengthy stories concerning St. Joseph's marriage contained in the apocryphal writings. When forty years of age, Joseph married a woman called Melcha or Escha by some, Salome by others; they lived forty-nine years together and had six children, two daughters and four sons, the youngest of whom was James (the Less, "the Lord's brother"). A year after his wife's death, as the priests announced through Judea that they wished to find in the tribe of Juda a respectable man to espouse Mary, then twelve to fourteen years of age, Joseph, who was at the time ninety years old, went up to Jerusalem among the candidates; a miracle manifested the choice God had made of Joseph, and two years later the Annunciation took place. These dreams, as St. Jerome styles them, from which many a Christian artist has drawn his inspiration (see, for instance, Raphael's "Espousals of the Virgin"), are void of authority; they nevertheless acquired in the course of ages some popularity; in them some ecclesiastical writers sought the answer to the well-known difficulty arising from the mention in the Gospel of "the Lord's brothers"; from them also popular credulity has, contrary to all probability, as well as to the tradition witnessed by old works of art, retained the belief that St. Joseph was an old man at the time of marriage with the Mother of God.

The Incarnation. This marriage, true and complete, was, in the intention of the spouses, to be virgin marriage (cf. St. Aug., "De cons. Evang.", II, i in P.L. XXXIV, 1071-72; "Cont. Julian.", V, xii, 45 in P.L.. XLIV, 810; St. Thomas, III:28; III:29:2). But soon was, the faith of Joseph in his spouse to be sorely tried: she was with child. However painful the discovery must have been for him, unaware as he was of the mystery of the Incarnation, his delicate feelings forbade him to defame his affianced, and he resolved "to put her away privately; but while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. . . And Joseph, rising from his sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife" (Matthew 1:19, 20, 24).

The Nativity and the Flight to Egypt. A few months later, the time came for Joseph and Mary to go to Bethlehem, to be enrolled, according to the decree issued by Caesar Augustus: a new source of anxiety for Joseph, for "her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered", and "there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:1-7). What must have been the thoughts of the holy man at the birth of the Saviour, the coming of the shepherds and of the wise men, and at the events which occurred at the time of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, we can merely guess; St. Luke tells only that he was "wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him" (2:33). New trials were soon to follow. The news that a king of the Jews was born could not but kindle in the wicked heart of the old and bloody tyrant, Herod, the fire of jealousy. Again "an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee" (Matthew 2:13).

Return to Nazareth. The summons to go back to Palestine came only after a few years, and the Holy Family settled again at Nazareth. St. Joseph's was henceforth the simple and uneventful life of an humble Jew, supporting himself and his family by his work, and faithful to the religious practices commanded by the Law or observed by pious Israelites. The only noteworthy incident recorded by the Gospel is the loss of, and anxious quest for, Jesus, then twelve years of old, when He had strayed during the yearly pilgrimage to the Holy City (Luke 2:42-51).

Death. This is the last we hear of St. Joseph in the sacred writings, and we may well suppose that Jesus's foster-father died before the beginning of Savior's public life. In several circumstances, indeed, the Gospels speak of the latter's mother and brothers (Matthew 12:46; Mark 3:31; Luke 8:19; John 7:3), but never do they speak of His father in connection with the rest of the family; they tell us only that Our Lord, during His public life was referred to as the son of Joseph (John 1:45; 6:42; Luke 4:22) the carpenter (Matthew 13:55). Would Jesus, moreover, when about die on the Cross, have entrusted His mother to John's care, had St. Joseph been still alive? According to the apocryphal "Story of Joseph the Carpenter", the holy man reached his hundred and eleventh year when he died, on 20 July (A. D. 18 or 19). St. Epiphanius gives him ninety years of age at the time of his demise; and if we are to believe the Venerable Bede, he was buried in the Valley of Josaphat. In truth we do not know when St. Joseph died; it is most unlikely that he attained the ripe old age spoken of by the "Story of Joseph" and St. Epiphanius. The probability is that he died and was buried at Nazareth.

DEVOTION TO SAINT JOSEPH
Joseph was "a just man". This praise bestowed by the Holy Ghost, and the privilege of having been chosen by God to be the foster-father of Jesus and the Spouse of the Virgin Mother, are the foundations of the honour paid to St. Joseph by the Church. So well-grounded are these foundations that it is not a little surprising that the cult of St. Joseph was so slow in winning recognition. Foremost among the causes of this is the fact that "during the first centuries of the Church's existence, it was only the martyrs who enjoyed veneration" (Kellner). Far from being ignored or passed over in silence during the early Christian ages, St. Joseph's prerogatives were occasionally descanted upon by the Fathers; even such eulogies as cannot be attributed to the writers among whose works they found admittance bear witness that the ideas and devotion therein expressed were familiar, not only to the theologians and preachers, and must have been readily welcomed by the people. The earliest traces of public recognition of the sanctity of St. Joseph are to be found in the East. His feast, if we may trust the assertions of Papebroch, was kept by the Copts as early as the beginning of the fourth century. Nicephorus Callistus tells likewise -- on what authority we do not know -- that in the great basilica erected at Bethlehem by St. Helena, there was a gorgeous oratory dedicated to the honour of our saint. Certain it is, at all events, that the feast of "Joseph the Carpenter" is entered, on 20 July, in one of the old Coptic Calendars in our possession, as also in a Synazarium of the eighth and nineth century published by Cardinal Mai (Script. Vet. Nova Coll., IV, 15 sqq.). Greek menologies of a later date at least mention St. Joseph on 25 or 26 December, and a twofold commemoration of him along with other saints was made on the two Sundays next before and after Christmas.

In the West the name of the foster-father of Our Lord (Nutritor Domini) appears in local martyrologies of the ninth and tenth centuries, and we find in 1129, for the first time, a church dedicated to his honour at Bologna. The devotion, then merely private, as it seems, gained a great impetus owing to the influence and zeal of such saintly persons as St. Bernard, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Gertrude (d. 1310), and St. Bridget of Sweden (d. 1373). According to Benedict XIV (De Serv. Dei beatif., I, iv, n. 11; xx, n. 17), "the general opinion of the learned is that the Fathers of Carmel were the first to import from the East into the West the laudable practice of giving the fullest cultus to St. Joseph". His feast, introduced towards the end shortly afterwards, into the Dominican Calendar, gradually gained a foothold in various dioceses of Western Europe. Among the most zealous promoters of the devotion at epoch, St. Vincent Ferrer (d. 1419), Peter d'Ailly (d. 1420), St. Bernadine of Siena (d. 1444), and Jehan Charlier Gerson (d. 1429) deserve an especial mention. Gerson, who had, in 1400, composed an Office of the Espousals of Joseph particularly at the Council of Constance (1414), in promoting the public recognition of the cult of St. Joseph. Only under the pontificate of Sixtus IV (1471-84), were the efforts of these holy men rewarded by Roman Calendar (19 March). From that time the devotion acquired greater and greater popularity, the dignity of the feast keeping pace with this steady growth. At first only a festum simplex, it was soon elevated to a double rite by Innocent VIII (1484-92), declared by Gregory XV, in 1621, a festival of obligation, at the instance of the Emperors Ferdinand III and Leopold I and of King Charles II of Spain, and raised to the rank of a double of the second class by Clement XI (1700-21). Further, Benedict XIII, in 1726, inserted the name into the Litany of the Saints.

One festival in the year, however, was not deemed enough to satisfy the piety of the people. The feast of the Espousals of the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph, so strenuously advocated by Gerson, and permitted first by Paul III to the Franciscans, then to other religious orders and individual dioceses, was, in 1725, granted to all countries that solicited it, a proper Office, compiled by the Dominican Pierto Aurato, being assigned, and the day appointed being 23 January. Nor was this all, for the reformed Order of Carmelites, into which St. Teresa had infused her great devotion to the foster-father of Jesus, chose him, in 1621, for their patron, and in 1689, were allowed to celebrate the feast of his Patronage on the third Sunday after Easter. This feast, soon, adopted throughout the Spanish Kingdom, was later on extended to all states and dioceses which asked for the privilege. No devotion, perhaps, has grown so universal, none seems to have appealed so forcibly to the heart of the Christian people, and particularly of the labouring classes, during the nineteenth century, as that of St. Joseph.

This wonderful and unprecedented increase of popularity called for a new lustre to be added to the cult of the saint. Accordingly, one of the first acts of the pontificate of Pius IX, himself singularly devoted to St. Joseph, was to extend to the whole Church the feast of the Patronage (1847), and in December, 1870, according to the wishes of the bishops and of all the faithful, he solemnly declared the Holy Patriarch Joseph, patron of the Catholic Church, and enjoined that his feast (19 March) should henceforth be celebrated as a double of the first class (but without octave, on account of Lent). Following the footsteps of their predecessor, Leo XIII and Pius X have shown an equal desire to add their own jewel to the crown of St. Joseph: the former, by permitting on certain days the reading of the votive Office of the saint; and the latter by approving, on 18 March, 1909, a litany in honour of him whose name he had received in baptism.

Daily Lent Prayer
"Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:
Let us pray
for confidence in the love of God
and the strength to overcome all our weakness.
Father,
you have taught us to overcome our sins
by prayer, fasting and works of mercy.
When we are discouraged by our weakness,
give us confidence in your love.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Alternate Opening Prayer:
Let us pray,
to the Father and ask him to form a new heart within us.
God of all compassion, Father of all goodness,
to heal the wounds our sins and selfishness bring upon us
you bid us turn to fasting, prayer and
sharing with our brothers and sisters.
We acknowledge our sinfulness, our guilt is ever before us:
when our weakness causes discouragement,
let your compassion fill us with hope
and lead us through a lent of repentance to the beauty of Easter joy.


The Readings Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19:8,9,10,11; 1 Corinthians 1:22-25; John 2:13-25
Daily Meditation:
Form a new heart within me.
This Sunday brings us closer to the font of renewing our baptismal commitment.
It is also the first of three Scrutinies for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

We are deeply aware that there is a struggle going on in us.
We turn to God, that we might not become discouraged.
We rely on God's compassion and love for us.
We acknowledge who we are
- sinners who experience the consequences of our selfishness -
but we know we are loved and we desire to be filled with hope.

We go into this week renewed in our desire to continue our
prayer, fasting and generosity toward others.

If we are celebrating the Third Scrutiny,
with the Elect journeying to the font of Baptism,
then we can pay special attention to how the
prayers are drawn from the Year A gospel
about Jesus and the Samaritan woman.

[Learn more about the Scrutinies here.]

Today's Daily Reflection
Intercessions:
Let us praise our loving Redeemer, who gained for us this season of grace, and pray to him, saying:
Lord, create a new spirit in us.

Christ, our life, through baptism we were buried with you and rose to life with you,
- may we walk today in newness of life.
Lord, you have brought blessings to all mankind,
- bring us to share your concern for the good of all.
May we work together to build up the earthly city,
- with our eyes fixed on the city that lasts for ever.
Healer of body and soul, cure the sickness of our spirit,
- so that we may grow in holiness through your constant care


Closing Prayer:
Loving Father,
So many times I don't recognize you
even though you invite me directly
to drink your water of life.
You know who I really am
and everything about my life,
even what I want to hide.
Your mercy and love give me confidence
Thank you for the invitation to share, fast and pray
so that you can form a new heart within me.
Your powerful compassion for my weaknesses
leads me to ask for mercy
and await with great hope the Easter joy you share with us.


May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

March 19th, 2006
by
Larry Gillick, S.J.
Deglman Center for Ignatian Spirituality
Click here for a photo of and information on this writer.
Third Sunday of Lent
Exodus 20:1-17 or 20:1-3, 7-8, 12-17
Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11
1 Corinthians 1:22-25
John 2:13-25
Praying Lent

Daily Lenten Prayer
Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer
Gospels of Weeks 3, 4 and 5
The Scrutinies

PRE-PRAYERING

We pray for the desire to overcome our sins by prayer, fasting, and works of mercy. Prayer will reduce us to our baptismal dignity. We pray so as to hear more clearly our baptismal name and mission.

Fasting puts us in a delightful tension. On one side we experience our selfishness which is so attractive and demanding. On the other side is that dignified self which is not ruled by delights of all kinds and whenever. Fasting as a prayer is not a subtraction, or a "giving up", but a receiving of a delightful truth; we are humans who have drives, instincts, tastes, fears, and shoulds, to which we do not "have to" respond. Fasting, prayerfully done, offers us a sensitivity to our fallen humanity as well as the real nature of the delights of creation.

We are also encouraged in our Opening Prayer, to experience the works of mercy as a way of expressing God's mercy toward us. When we pray and when we fast from so as to be open to, then that freedom will move us to mercifully receive those around us who have lost or forgotten the sense of their God-given dignity.

We pray as well for confidence in God's mercy when we ourselves have lost contact with our truest selves. "Mercy is above all Your works."

REFLECTION

While sitting here just now, an email popped up from somebody, I don't know who it is, and that person thanked me for the Reflection for the Sunday before Lent. This person wrote that she/he never liked Lent, and does not now. Then I read, "does anyone?" Just exactly what I needed to begin today's Reflection.

Compose in your imagination the whole people of Israel who, three months previously were freed from the slavery in Egypt, standing at the base of Mount Sinai. Moses has informed the people that God would be speaking to them very soon. Accompanied by thunder, lightning and trumpet blasts, a dense and dark cloud appears. Does "anyone" like that?

Then the news everyone has been waiting to hear comes forth from the cloud. The news is comprised of ten commands which God wants carried out or else! "Does anyone like that?" The people don't like the sound-effects and light-show and beg Moses to talk directly to them; God is too much. Moses, in response, encourages them by telling them that God was getting their attention and wanted to make a deep impression on them about the importance of these laws.

This then, is the context for our First Reading for this liturgy. The whole historical relationship between God and Israel is summed up with God's reminding the people who God is in their history, namely, the One Who brought them out of the land and state of slavery. These ten laws are forms of living gratefully as the people who were saved. They are ways of respecting God's presence in all of life's relationships. They can be heard as "have-to" and "shouldn't-do". Does "anyone" like listening to that?

These commands cover most of our fallen-nature's tendencies. Way down deep, they are all about reverencing the Truth of God in everything. Stealing is a sin, because I don't like the truth that I don't have what you do. Killing is wrong, because I do not reverence your life as a presence of God's life. Coveting, and false speech is also about not reverencing God's truth. In brief, everything is holy, and the Sabbath is the day to catch up, not on our work, but on all that God has worked in our lives. The question is about whether these are commands to frighten us into submission, or invitations to real orderly life. Doesn't everyone like that?

Talk about thunder and lightning to get attention! The Gospel is an attachment-getter all right, but Jesus' anger is not the main event, but a dramatic element setting up the more dramatic revelation of Jesus as the "New Temple". This event takes place at the time of the Passover and people are coming to the temple to celebrate the historical revelation of God's having brought them out of Egypt. Animal sacrifices were a part of that religious expression, but apparently the secular was edging its way into the sacred; God's mercy was being merchandised. John's Gospel uses this situation of tension, or ambiguity, to highlight Jesus as the new, yet old.

I smile to think of how this Gospel will be heard in church, perhaps followed by announcements about ticket-sales, books, religious articles, Irish Soda Bread and other good things being sold out in the vestibule. The more important thing is Jesus declaring that as holy as the temple is, His Body is even more sacred and timeless. This Gospel is compiled years after the Romans had destroyed the Jerusalem temple. It had been the locus of the presence of the Holy. The Jewish people were being presented with various options or sects proposing God's election or selection. John's Gospel proposes Jesus and during His days, because of His Signs, many Jews came to believe in Him as the Holy One. This Sign took place in Jerusalem during the Passover, not an insignificant fact. He will be the Lamb, sacrificed during the Passover in due time. For the Jews, this is very hard to hear and believe. How could the Holy Temple of God be replaced by a single human man come down from Galilee?

What about Lent is there to like? The Ten Commandments are not so much to like, because they tell us what to do and not to do and give us a way to know how we are doing religiously. Usually we are not doing as well as we would like, so that's something not to like about Lent. Fasting, praying and doing charitable works, what's not to like here? Opposite to the Ten Commandments, doing these are fine, but they do not tell us how to do them and so again, we do not know how we are doing religiously. What's there to like about Lent? What with the thunder, fire, turning over of tables and whipping with cords of today's Scripture, God and Lent do not come across as too inviting. Lent is the time for letting God get our attention and if God gets our attention we will hear of the holiness of God, of all life and of ourselves. Doesn't everyone like that?

"How happy they who dwell in your house! For ever they are praising you." Ps. 88,5


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Monday




Daily Lent Prayer
"Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:
God of mercy
free your Church from sin
and protect it from evil.
Guide us, for we cannot be saved without you.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

The Readings 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29;Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22; Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a


Daily Meditation:
We cannot be saved without you.

Today we are reminded of the terrible irony: a prophet is not well received at home.
Jesus was not accepted by those who saw him as all too human.
And, he was unable to act with power in their lives.

Is this Lenten season getting us out of our comfortable complacency,
and helping us see the prophetic one in our midst?
Is it helping us listen better, reach out with deeper longing,
find a greater intimacy with the only one who can save us?.

My soul is thirsting for the living God:
when shall I see God face to face?.
Psalm 42

Today's Daily Reflection

Intercessions:
Praise to Jesus, our Savior; by his death he has opened for us the way of salvation. Let us ask him:
Lord, guide your people to walk in your ways.

God of mercy, you gave us new life through baptism,
- make us grow day by day in your likeness.
May our generosity today bring joy to those in need,
- in helping them may we find you.
Help us to do what is good, right and true in your sight,
- and to seek you always with undivided hearts.
Forgive our sins against the unity of your family,
- make us one in heart and spirit.

Closing Prayer:
Merciful God,
Free your Church from the sins of this world
and protect us from evil we see
and the evil we prefer to ignore.
We need your guidance, Lord
for we cannot do this alone.
Only with your help can we be saved.
Thank you for your desire to save us and love us.



May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

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Tuesday:



Daily Lent Prayer
"Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall declare your praise."


Opening Prayer:
Lord,
you call us to your service
and continue your saving work among us.

May your love never abandon us.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen

The Readings Daniel 3:25, 34-43, Psalm 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9, Matthew 18:21-35
Daily Meditation:
Do not let us be put to shame,
but deal with us in your kindness and great mercy.

Azariah asks God to remember his mercies.
He places his complete trust in God.
These days, we place our lives in God's hands,
and we let God forgive us.

The challenge of the Gospel is to forgive
as we have been forgiven.
How often we are so very much harder on others
than our God is on us!
An important Lenten examination of conscience.

"So will my heavenly Father do to you,
unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart."

Today's Daily Reflection

Intercessions:
Praise to Christ, who has given us himself as the bread from heaven. Let us pray to him, saying:
Jesus, you feed and heal our souls; come to strenthen us.

Lord, feed us at the banquet of the eucharist,
- with all the gifts of your paschal sacrifice.
Give us a perfect heart to receive your word,
- that we may bring forth fruit in patience.
Make us eager to work with you in building a better world,
- so that it may listen to your Church and its gospel of peace.
We confess, Lord, that we have sinned,
- wash us clean by your gift of salvation.

Closing Prayer:
God of infinite love,
I thank you for this reminder of your love
and your call that we be more patient,
gentle and compassionate with others.
Here in the middle of Lent,
I turn to you to beg for your help.
Please soften my heart.
Help me to let go of judging others.
I ask you this, in Jesus' name.


May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

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Wednesday:



Daily Lent Prayer
"Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:
Lord,
during this Lenten season
nourish us with your word of life
and make us one in love and prayer.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

The Readings Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9; Psalm 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20; Matthew 5:17-19

Daily Meditation:
Make us one in love and prayer.

This was a special liturgy in the early church.
On this day the first of the scrutinies was celebrated.
We can see why the instruction is about fidelity, but tone of the prayer is one of unity.
On this day when the community prayed so earnestly for those about to be baptised,
we can feel the power of asking that we be made one.

We might reflect upon what it is that divides us,
and what I might do to let the Spirit of Unity draw us together.

I want all of them to be one with each other,
just as I am one with you and you are one with me.
I also want them to be one with us.
Then the people of this world will believe that you sent me.

Jesus' prayer at the Last Supper for
"for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me. "
John 17:21

Today's Daily Reflection

Intercessions:|
Blessed be God, the giver of salvation, who decreed that mankind should become a new creation in himself, when all would be made new. With great confidence let us ask him:
Lord, renew us in your Spirit.

Lord, you promised a new heaven and a new earth; renew us daily through your Spirit,
- that we may enjoy your presence for ever in the heavenly Jerusalem.
Help us to work with you to make this world alive with your Spirit,
- and to build on earth a city of justice, love and peace.
Free us from all negligence and sloth,
- and give us joy in your gifts of grace.
Deliver us from evil,
- and from slavery to the senses, which blinds us to goodness.

Closing Prayer:
God, you love me as your own child.
May I bend my life and will toward you
so that I might accept your teaching and guidance.
I am so grateful for your support in my life,
now and in the eternal life you are preparing for me.
I beg for your help and Spirit in my life today.

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

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March 21st, 2006
by
Beth Furlong
School of Nursing
Click here for a photo of and information on this writer.
Daniel 3:25, 34-43
Psalm 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9
Matthew 18:21-35
Praying Lent
Daily Lenten Prayer
Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer



I write this from the town of Nyiregyhaza, with a population of 110,000, in the northeast plains of Hungary near the Ukraine and Romanian borders. This influences my reflections in nuanced ways - by the spiritual reading books I brought with me for the four month journey, for the application of these readings to the daily television news I watch in this part of the world, etc.

One of the books I brought with me is Dean Brackley, S.J.'s book, The Call to Discernment, which I received because of my participation in a Cardoner at Creighton project. I highly recommend it as it has greatly further educated me on the Ignatian Exercises.

The First Reading of today partially reads - 'but with contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received' - integrates with some of the content in the above book. St. Ignatius writes of the Kingdom Meditation which Fr. Brackley designates as individuals considering the 'call' Christ makes to us. The First Reading continues - 'so let our sacrifice in your presence today as we follow you unreservedly' - this strongly resonates with what St. Ignatius was teaching with the ideas of desolation and consolation in one's daily life.

Sometimes, one feels like one has wake-up calls, experiences that 'hit you over the head', etc. I had that feeling when I discovered which Gospel Reading I was to reflect and write on - the story of forgiveness. Was this merely coincidence - or a God-moment? In my spiritual journey, forgiveness is one of the behaviors I struggle with. I have a long way to go to be where I need to be. In recognizing this about myself, one of the spiritual booklets I packed with me is a booklet on forgiveness (The Heart of God: A Call to Forgiveness) by Sr. Joan Chittister. Since being in Hungary I have had the opportunity to attend Mass at St. Stephan's Basicila in Budapest, the main Roman Catholic Church in this town, and also the Greek Catholic Church in this town. And, while I am observant of and participate in the liturgy, there are also times when the language barrier provides time for my reading and reflecting on Sr. Joan's words on forgiveness as I take the booklet to Mass with me. In summary, her thoughts are also derived from the important Gospel Reading of today.

I write this on February 24th and the television news daily tells of conflict, violence, struggles, death, etc. - whether that be the recent elections in Haiti and Uganda, delayed arrest of a former Serbian leader, torture of Iraqi soldiers, sectarian violence in Iraq, change of government in Palestine, etc. And, we know the need for forgiveness. 'not seven times but seventy-seven times.' But, can I forgive one times 7 people in my life?
We are called to forgive. We are called to remember and to follow Christ's last words on the Cross - which were words of forgiveness. To quote Sr. Joan Chittister - 'Clearly, to be everything we can become, we must learn to forgive.' (p. 16).


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March 22nd, 2006
by
Tom Purcell
Accounting
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Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9
Psalm 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20
Matthew 5:17-19
Praying Lent
Daily Lenten Prayer
Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer



Following commandments and rules seems to be the uniting theme in today's three readings. First Moses tells the Israelites that observing statutes and decrees is a necessary condition for them to live in the land of the Lord. The Psalmist reminds the people how special they are, because the Lord took the trouble to proclaim His statutes and ordinances to them, rules that were not made known to other people. And Jesus teaches the disciples that He had come not to abolish the law but to fulfill it, and that obedience to the commandments will help someone become the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.

The commandments that Moses shared with his people were the "thou shalt not" kind - don't do this, you can't do that, be careful of doing this. Entering into a compact with the Lord meant that you would obey these commands, and repent when you did not, so you could renew the covenant and return to a place of harmony with God's wishes. Following the commands meant a person could live in the promised land (or heaven) because she or he had found favor with God by following the rules that God had proscribed.

Recall that when pressed by the Pharisees to specify which of the commandments Moses had received was the greatest, Jesus stated that love of God, and love of neighbor as one loves self, was the basis of the whole law (Mt. 22:34-40). And in today's excerpt from Matthew, in the next verse (20), Jesus suggests that unless our holiness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, we won't enter heaven.

What to make of this? Following rules scrupulously (religiously?), and exalting rules to be the essence of spirituality, was the path the scribes and Pharisees took - Jesus rejected that approach. Arguing that following rules is the same as holiness was a trap that the scribes and Pharisees fell into - Jesus avoided that trap. Jesus suggests that holiness is wholiness - that is, love of God and love of God's creation in harmony with God's intentions, surrendering one's self wholly to God.

And so, rules and commandments are reminders that we can get out of balance with the wholeness around us if we don't live in thoughtful adherence to God's plan. We can and do misuse God's gifts to us of our uniqueness, of our shared humanity and of our physical environment. We sin by failing to remember to put God first, by not being wholly in harmony with God's plan. For me, the "thou shalt nots" and other statutes and decrees are reminders of ways that I might fall short of the great restatement of the commandments that Jesus presents - to love God with my whole heart, and love my neighbor as myself. If I can love God with my whole heart, I will be in harmony with God's plan for this world; I will be at peace with my fellow humans. How can I possibly be violating a "thou shalt not" if I am living as Jesus calls me to live?

And so my prayer today is to concentrate on my relationship with God, with the wholeness of my love for God and God's creation, to challenge where I have become out of balance with God's intentions and the way I live my life, and to find one way that I can repent by moving closer to God's call to me.


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Thursday
Daily Lent Prayer
"Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:
Father,
help us to be ready to celebrate the great paschal mystery.
Make our love grow each day
as we approach the feast of our salvation.
We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

The Readings Jeremiah 7:23-28; Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9; Luke 11:14-23

Daily Meditation:
May our love grow each day.

We are at the half-way point in our Lenten journey today.
There is so much yet to learn, to examine, to heal, to renew.
We have a sense of the patterns we are naming and a sense of the graces we are asking for,
as well as the ways God is working in us.

We want to be ready and our Lord wants us to be confident.
So we keep asking and we keep giving thanks, throughout our day.

I am the Savior of all people, says the Lord.
Whatever their troubles,
I will answer their cry,
and I will always be their Lord.
The Entrance Antiphon

Today's Daily Reflection

Intercessions:
Christ our Lord came among us as the light of the world, that we might walk in his light,
and not in the darkness of death. Let us praise him and cry out to him:
Let your word be a lamp to guide us.

God of mercy, help us today to grow in your likeness,
- that we who sinned in Adam may rise again in Christ.
Let your word be a lamp to guide us,
- that we may live the truth and grow always in your love.
Teach us to be faithful in seeking the common good for your sake,
- that your light may shine on the whole human family by means of your Church.
Touch our hearts to seek your friendship more and more,
- and to make amends for our sins against your wisdom and goodness.

Closing Prayer:
Loving God,
I hear your invitation, "Come back to me"
and I am filled with such a longing to return to you.
Show me the way to return.
Lead me this day in good works I do in your name
and send your Spirit to guide me and strengthen my faith.
I ask only to feel your love in my life today.

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

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Daily Lent Prayer
"Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:
Merciful Father,
fill our hearts with your love
and keep us faithful to the gospel of Christ.
Give us the grace to rise above our human weakness.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.

The Readings Hosea 14:2-10; Psalm 81:6-8, 8-9, 10-11, 14, 17; Mark 12:28-34

Daily Meditation:
Fill our hearts with your love.

Our lesson today reminds us again of God's love and Jesus' desire
that we love one another as we are loved.
On this journey, we are learning why this is a challenge for us.
We are experiencing our human weaknesses and practicing ways to be freer,
to open our hearts more fully to God's love
and to give ourselves in fidelity, every day.

You ask us to express our thanks by self-denial.
We are to master our sinfulness
and conquer our pride.
We are to show to those in need
your goodness to ourselves.
Preface for Lent III


Today's Daily Reflection

Intercessions:
Thanks be to Christ the Lord, who brought us life by his death on the cross.
With our whole heart let us ask him:
By your death raise us to life.

Teacher and Savior, you have shown us your fidelity and made us a new creation by your passion,
- keep us from falling again into sin.
Help us to deny ourselves today,
- and not deny those in need.
May we receive this day of penance as your gift,
- and give it back to you through works of mercy.
Master our rebellious hearts,
- and teach us generosity.

Closing Prayer:
God of Mercy,
I feel my heart overflowing with your tenderness.
I sense your loving touch deep within my soul.
I ask for your help in my weakness
that I might be faithful to your word
and I am so grateful
that your mercy for my failings
is as strong as your unbounded love for me.

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

Thursday

March 23rd, 2006
by
Kristina DeNeve
Cardoner at Creighton
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Jeremiah 7:23-28
Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9
Luke 11:14-23
Praying Lent
Daily Lenten Prayer
Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer



At first glance, today's readings all seem to focus on negatives: Israel stiffening its neck and turning its back on God, warnings to not harden our hearts, Jesus talking about "divided houses" and either being against him or with him. Certainly, it is easy to see how these readings fit with Lent right? Then again, maybe there is more here than warnings to follow God or else (spoken with the Charlton Heston kind of emphasis!)

The main line that stood out for me from these readings was God speaking at the beginning of the reading from Jeremiah. "Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people" (Jer 7:23). This is not past tense, with God saying "I once offered to be your God, but now it is too late because you X, Y, and Z instead." This whole first reading is about God telling Jeremiah to go and tell Israel now, again, that all they have to do is to listen to God's voice to be his people. God is telling Jeremiah what to expect, that they will not listen to him. But, it is a new day, and God is still inviting us and so Jeremiah should go and tell the people again that God said "Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people."

What a comfort! Here God knows that Israel does not obey, does not pay heed, turns their back on Him, does not listen, does not answer, has no faith. (Gosh, it seems like I have done one or two of those things myself!) Yet, he STILL wants Jeremiah to simply go and tell the people that all they have to do is to listen. Listen. And, that's it. Listen, and then we will be His people.

This is what I think Lent is about. It is not so much about me being overwhelmed with scruples, focusing on my human faults and limitations. Lent is about God's invitation. Like Israel, God knows that I am weak and yet, He does not care about that. God wants me to be His, regardless of anything I have done to turn my back from Him. God wants me to not let anything I have done in the past get in my way of listening to Him today, this very day!

This message is particularly relevant for me as we are about half-way through Lent. This Lent, I have a particularly erratic schedule, including a large deadline at work, a vacation, and the change of pace that goes with Spring Break at a university. I have not had much of a schedule to follow lately, let alone a schedule to break so I can be more attentive to my habits not formed enough or other habits that are too fully formed and need breaking. Half-way through Lent and it does not seem like I have really gotten started yet. I think - maybe it is too late now and I should wait to "do it up right" next year. But, then I remember: God is asking me TODAY to listen to his voice. It is not too late. I can listen today - God still wants me to be His.


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The month of March we celebrate the theme of St Joseph. Here is the Litany of St Joseph for you prayer life and convenience!

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, hear us.

God, the Father of Heaven,
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God, the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, One God,
Holy Mary,
St. Joseph,
Renowned offspring of David,
Light of Patriarchs,
Spouse of the Mother of God,
Chaste guardian of the Virgin,
Foster father of the Son of God,
Diligent protector of Christ,
Head of the Holy Family,
Joseph most just,
Joseph most chaste,
Joseph most prudent,
Joseph most strong,
Joseph most obedient,
Joseph most faithful,
Mirror of patience,
Lover of poverty,
Model of artisans,
Glory of home life,
Guardian of virgins,
Pillar of families,
Solace of the wretched,
Hope of the sick,
Patron of the dying,
Terror of demons,
Protector of Holy Church,

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world.

He made him the lord of his household.


Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, graciously hear us.

Have mercy on us.
Have mercy on us.
Have mercy on us.
Have mercy on us
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.


spare us, O Lord.

graciously hear us, O Lord.


And prince over all his possessions.

Let us pray, --- O God, in your ineffable providence you were pleased to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most holy Mother; grant, we beg you, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our Protector: You who live and reign forever and ever.

Saint Joseph, pray for us.

March 25th, 2006
by
Eileen Wirth
Journalism Department
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Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10
Psalm 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11
Hebrews 10:4-10
Luke 1:26-38
Praying Lent
Daily Lenten Prayer
Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer


I'm imagining her as an older, modern woman - gray haired, wearing slacks and a sweater, calm, wise and compassionate. Over coffee she's explaining how she has survived her life.

It started the day that an angel turned her life upside down and asked her to say yes to having God's child - a terrifying decision, nothing like the ecstatic Renaissance paintings depict it.

She knew people would gossip that she was either a liar or a nut case. Just picture what the ladies at her synagogue had to say about THAT explanation. At least Joe believed her after HE got the word from an angel - what a sweetheart!

Maybe it was good that the Romans ordered them out of town for the census before the baby was born but she can still remember every bump on that donkey ride. Bethlehem looked pretty good until they found out that all the motels were full. The stable was dirty and it smelled. What a place to have your first child. (Reality check for city folks: visit a working barn some day.)

And her tales went on - the flight to Egypt with a baby followed by the hardships of living in a foreign country. She can really identify with today's immigrants. Then there was the time her 12 year old kid decided to disappear for three days during a trip just so he could show the elders in the Temple how smart He was. Junior high!!!

She had to be tough to raise Him and stand up to Him on occasion like she did at Cana. Of course she was there when the going was roughest and His friends deserted him. Suddenly she was the mother of a felon dying a horrible death.

Mary. For years I've ignored you because I was force-fed a syrupy Marian piety as a child - having to give up recess in October to say the rosary, march through town in May procession etc. Until today's readings, I've never thought about you as a real woman - smart, tough and loving - who made many hard choices to say "yes." No wonder generations have called you "blessed!"


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March 26th, 2006
by
Larry Gillick, S.J.
Deglman Center for Ignatian Spirituality
Click here for a photo of and information on this writer.
Fourth Sunday in Lent
2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23
Psalm 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6
Ephesians 2:4-10
John 3:14-21
Praying Lent
Daily Lenten Prayer
Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer

Gospels of Weeks 3, 4 and 5
The Scrutinies


PRE-PRAYERING

We are invited to pray to the God of peace with the joy that comes through our being reconciled with God through Jesus Christ. We pray with a new notion of a God of peace whose constant labor is for our ongoing creation resulting in peaceful union.

We are bidden also to pray with our eagerness to celebrate the realities of Easter. There is the old Latin phrase, "Hasten, slowly." We can pray with patience and to linger with these days of waking up to who God says we are in our Baptisms.

We may reflect as well on our need for a Savior, a Jesus to free us. We can pray as well for a deeper sense of the areas of our lives which are not quite living yet.

REFLECTION

Yesterday, in the Church's liturgical calendar, The Annunciation to Mary, that the Word of God was to take flesh in her body, was celebrated. The Holy Infinite was come to begin the construction of the world as God's Kingdom.

This great Christian theme embraces all three readings of today's liturgy. The Second Reading from Ephesians, which needs no commentary or reflection by me, must be read slooooowly in our gatherings. It is loaded with basic Theologically important, yet simple statements. It will be easy to miss after listening to the drama of the First Reading. If it is read unslowly at your parish, stand up and say, "What was that?"

The books of The Chronicles relate the many risings and fallings of the nation Israel and of their kings and their enemies. This national history ends with a briefer history from which chapter we read for this liturgy. It does have quite a happy and blessed ending which is highlighted by an outsider's coming inside to free them, but even more, begins for them their contact with their religious past.

Jeremiah and other prophets had come as messengers to recall Israel to its dignity, but as we hear in this section of the last chapter, these messengers were mocked, scorned and rebuked. The religious leaders and the people rebelled and polluted the very holy Temple. For this hardness of heart, they are invaded and brought into captivity. This is the result of sin, but God uses this for a greater revelation of just Who God is and how God wants to be known. Captivity, distance from homeland, darkness of spirit, all become the setting for more history. Cyrus, a powerful Persian king invades Babylon and not only, now listen to this, not only frees this foreign nation Israel, but trumps that by saying, that the God Who gave him all this power has also charged him with building God a new home in Jerusalem. The former temple was destroyed during a previous invasion. Ah, but there is more!

"Whoever, therefore, among you belongs to any part of his people, let him go up, and may his God be with him." Amazing! The victor knows from Whom his power comes and sets the captives free and sends them on their way and to a new temple he will build. Now the Second Reading will be more clear and lead to a fuller understanding of the Gospel.

Jesus continues His little talk with Nicodemus who has come, during the dark of night, to hear from Jesus about eternal life and even more, just about Jesus. He gives Nicodemus quite a lengthy earful in today's Gospel reading.

He first asks His listener to recall how Moses, the great Jewish leader saved his people by raising the image of a serpent and all who looked upon it were healed. Using this historical reference, Jesus indicates that He too will be lifted up, (on the cross) to heal all those who look upon Him with the eyes of faith. This seeing/believing in Him Who has been sent, will lead to eternal life. God has sent the Son for the very purpose of building a "home" wherein God will be with them, recall the last verse of our First Reading. Jesus has come to be the New Temple and remain with us.

A strong theme of John's Gospel is that of Jesus' being the "light". Bad things happen in this Gospel at night or in the "darkness". Remember, Nicodemus has come to visit with Jesus by night. John uses this symbol to present Jesus as the One Who has come into the darkness of the world to illumine to the world how beloved are all. There are those who choose darkness and so remain unaware of their being so loved. These choose the works appropriate to darkness. The real evil is that those who choose darkness choose the evil of not knowing, accepting, and living their truth as loved and saved in Christ.

The result of this Gospel is that those who know who they are in the light of Christ will more clearly desire their identities to be shown in the works of "light" which they live. The converse is true as well. If we do not know, or refuse to accept who we are, then that personal darkness will play hide and seek with their lives. They will seek hiding and secretly hope their selfishness never is exposed.

I embarrassingly remember the seven-year-old lad who snatched an orange at his local grocery store, put it in his left hand, tucked it behind his back and walked slinkingly toward the in-door. It is very difficult to open the in-door with one hand occupied in the deed of darkness.

The owner came and asked kindly why I wasn't going out the out-door, which he knew would involve going through the check-out line. He knew what I was trying to do and he told me it was easier to open with two hands. I told him I would go out through the other door and so slinkingly I walked back past the oranges and slyly deposited the fatal fruit back in its box. Obviously I assumed the owner didn't see me do that.

I, lightened of the orange and lightened of spirit walked out into the light of Vliet St. a little wiser for having dabbled in darkness. Would that I had learned that lesson that once and for all time.

It is a gracious comfort to know, that like Nicodemus, we can come to Jesus out of our darkness, and because He is the Light of Love, we can look upon Him lifted up on the cross and walk out of the darkness into the light of our Vilet Streets.

"Whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God." John 3, 21


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Diverse group pushes Bush to support comprehensive immigration law


WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A panel of 15 religious, business, political and agricultural leaders urged President George W. Bush to push for comprehensive immigration legislation in a March 23 White House meeting. Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, who was one of three religious leaders at the session, told Catholic News Service afterward that the president voiced support for policies that reflect the goals of the Catholic bishops' Justice for Immigrants campaign and their concerns about pending legislation. "If Congress handled things the way that meeting was handled," with its spirit of cooperation and respect for a wide range of immigration-related concerns, "we'd be in good shape," Archbishop Chaput said. The Senate was scheduled to resume consideration of proposals for immigration changes the last week of March. Bush has intermittently pushed for comprehensive immigration reform since his first year in office, but the White House has until recently kept some distance from the ongoing debate in Congress. A bill that passed in the House in December deals only with enforcement, including some provisions that the Catholic Church and others strongly oppose, such as criminalizing the act of aiding illegal immigrants.




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Gulf Coast mayors discuss Katrina's physical, spiritual challenges


BILOXI, Miss. (CNS) -- Six months after Hurricane Katrina hammered the Gulf Coast region, Biloxi Mayor A.J. Holloway was confident that all was not lost. "Katrina has been a test of our will and our resolve, but our faith has carried us through. One thing we don't have to rebuild is our faith and our hope," he said. The mayor, interviewed along with five other mayors in the region by the Gulf Pine Catholic, Biloxi's diocesan newspaper, noted that right after the storm he told himself, "God has a reason for everything." "Right now," he added, "I just can't put my finger on that reason." Holloway, a parishioner at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral in Biloxi, did not question Biloxi's ability to rebound, pointing out that the people of the city have shown resilience in previous hurricanes and economic challenges. The other mayors interviewed also praised the resiliency of their citizens.




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Bishop asks whether 'pro-choice' Catholic politicians are heretics


WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The church needs to examine whether Catholic "pro-choice" politicians' views are in heresy regarding church teaching against aborting unborn human life, said Bishop Robert F. Vasa of Baker, Ore. "I think there is suitable reason to consider the possibility that there is a right-to-murder heresy," he told Catholic News Service. The bishop spoke by telephone to CNS March 22 about a column he wrote in the diocesan newspaper, Catholic Sentinel, raising the question as to whether the views of Catholics who believe a woman has a right to choose abortion are in heresy. Bishop Vasa told CNS that he is not in a position to state whether a "right-to-murder heresy" exists. "I'm raising the question. I'm not a theologian," he said. The bishop said the question goes beyond Catholic legislators and "could extend to other Catholics who believe that it would be OK to be pro-choice and Catholic."




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Habitat for Humanity houses ready for hurricane-displaced families


SCHRIEVER, La. (CNS) -- Sounds of hammers pounding and saws buzzing have filled the air in the small Bayou Blue community, where the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate has been constructing 50 houses for the displaced families of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Bayou Area Habitat for Humanity, one of more than 2,000 Habitat for Humanity International affiliates, is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. The local affiliate was formed in 1996 by a small group of people in Thibodaux. The homes are built by volunteer laborers through donations of money and materials and sold at no profit. They are financed with no-interest loans and the homeowner's monthly mortgage payments are used to build more homes. In addition to a down payment and mortgage payments, homeowners are required to work 350 hours, called "sweat equity," on their own homes and on building houses for others. Homeowners, or "partner families" as Habitat calls them, are selected based on three criteria: the need for affordable housing; the ability to repay the no-interest, no-profit loan; and the willingness to be a partner by working on their own house and the houses of others.




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Parish, school reorganization plans outlined in New York, Vermont


WASHINGTON (CNS) -- One of the largest archdioceses in the United States and two smaller dioceses are immersed in planning new alignments of their parishes and schools to reflect shifting demographics and a declining pool of priests. Cardinal Edward M. Egan of New York said in the March 16 edition of his archdiocesan newspaper, Catholic New York, that the 52-member Archdiocesan Realignment Advisory Panel recently began considering a proposal that could lead to the closing of up to two dozen parishes, half a dozen missions and a dozen schools in Manhattan, the Bronx and other southern sections of the archdiocese. Many of the affected parishes would be replaced by new churches in the northern portion of the archdiocese, he said. Bishop Salvatore R. Matano of Burlington, Vt., outlined a parish reconfiguration plan March 10 that would be implemented "only when/if pastoral care cannot be provided by a priest." Under the plan, up to six parishes would close and many more would be joined together and/or share a pastor. In Buffalo, N.Y., Bishop Edward U. Kmiec has announced plans to close four schools in June and open a new one in September. The diocese's Strategic Planning Commission was to recommend possible parish closings or mergers by the end of 2007.




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Electronic cards available for free to mark pope's 79th birthday


NEW YORK (CNS) -- A New York-based publisher of educational and catechetical materials is offering free electronic birthday cards to celebrate Pope Benedict XVI's 79th birthday April 16. Through its Web site at www.webelieveweb.com, William H. Sadlier Inc. allows people to choose from four electronic cards with slogans such as "All God's children love you, Holy Father" and "The whole world is happy on the birthday of our pope." Each card may be personalized and sent in English or Spanish. William Sadlier Dinger, president of William H. Sadlier, said he and his brother, board chairman Frank Sadlier Dinger, "see this as an opportunity for millions of people from all over the world to tell the pope how much they love him."




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WORLD



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Pope, cardinals discuss several issues, including dialogue with Islam


VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI and most of the world's cardinals sat down for closed-door discussions on a number of administrative and pastoral questions, including dialogue with Islam. The pope presided over the day of reflection and prayer March 23, the day before he was to hold a public consistory to induct 15 new cardinals. The cardinals-to-be, dressed in bishops' purple, were also invited to the meeting in the Vatican's synod hall. There was no formal agenda, but in an opening talk the pope mentioned three specific concerns for discussion, according to a Vatican press statement: "the condition of retired bishops," "the question raised by (Archbishop Marcel) Lefebvre and the liturgical reform desired by the Second Vatican Council," and "questions connected with the dialogue between the church and Islam." The pope invited the cardinals to raise other issues of their own and said the exchange should take place in a spirit of unity and communion.




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A year after Pope Benedict's election, world sees new style of papacy


VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In April, the church marks the first anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II and the election of Pope Benedict XVI, events that captured the world's attention and introduced a new style of papacy. Thousands will gather to pray in St. Peter's Square the evening of April 2, a poignant reminder of the vigil outside the late pope's window on that date last year, when a hushed crowd was told the pontiff had "returned to the house of the Father." As his sainthood cause gathers momentum, Pope John Paul remains in people's hearts, a fact witnessed daily in the seemingly endless line of pilgrims who come to his grave carrying flowers, notes or a silent prayer. Pope Benedict, meanwhile, has used a simple and direct approach to win over the record crowds that are flocking to his appearances at the Vatican and elsewhere. Quietly and slowly, in more than 200 sermons and speeches, he has engaged the faithful and the wider society on the fundamental issues of truth, freedom, faith and human dignity.




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One year later, Vatican believes papal transition was moment of grace


VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A year ago, in a series of dramatic events spanning three weeks, the church and the world said goodbye to Pope John Paul II and welcomed a newly elected Pope Benedict XVI. They were hectic days. The Vatican found itself besieged by pilgrims and media as it organized Pope John Paul's funeral liturgies and prepared to elect his successor. Looking back, despite all the logistical problems, Vatican officials believe the papal transition was a moment of grace. The papal funeral, broadcast to more than 100 countries, impressed those inside and outside the church. "I think we gave the world an image of a church that believes in Resurrection when its pastor died," said one official who helped with the funeral rites.




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Record Vatican crowds continue a year after pope's death


VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- One year ago in April, the city of Rome saw record numbers of crowds when millions of people flocked to the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica for the funeral of Pope John Paul II, the conclave of cardinals and the subsequent election of Pope Benedict XVI. In just one week, more than 3 million people descended on the Vatican to honor Pope John Paul, who died April 2, 2005. According to the Vatican, the crowds have just kept coming. In just the first eight months of his pontificate, Pope Benedict XVI drew nearly 3 million pilgrims to public events. According to the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household, more than 2.8 million people attended the weekly general audiences, the Sunday blessings, special papal audiences or liturgical celebrations at which Pope Benedict presided. Also, the number of visitors going through the doors of the Vatican Museums in 2005 broke all records.




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PEOPLE



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A year after pope's death, people worldwide continue to show devotion


VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- From starting prayer groups to cheering at the mention of his name, people around the world continue to show their devotion to Pope John Paul II. A year after Pope John Paul's death, the Vatican still maintains a separate entrance to the grotto under St. Peter's Basilica where he is buried, and Pope Benedict XVI still cites his writings and example in his public speeches. While the cause for Pope John Paul's canonization continues with interviews of people in Rome and Poland who were close to him, Pope John Paul prayer groups are springing up around the world. Msgr. Slawomir Oder, the official promoter of the pope's sainthood cause, said the groups -- one in Argentina calls itself "Juan Pablo Magno" (John Paul the Great) -- not only support the cause with their prayers, but they study Pope John Paul's writings. Pope Benedict does not appear jealous of the attention; in fact, from the beginning of his pontificate he has urged the church to continue to study the teachings of his predecessor.




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Priest running, winning again after recovery from severe beating


NEW YORK (CNS) -- Less than a year after he was attacked and beaten by a gang of teenagers while jogging in a Bronx park, a New York priest is not only up and running again, he's racing, he's winning and he recently collected a top award of the city's premier running organization. Father Jorge Fernandez, a Colombian-born member of the Yarumal Missionaries and a parochial vicar at Our Saviour Parish, was honored in March by the New York Road Runners Club as the Runner of the Year in his age group. "Thank God, I recovered very well," said Father Fernandez. "I got a lot of solidarity and prayers from the people, and I started to run with more optimism and motivation than before the attack," he said. "I was running much better." Father Fernandez, 42, came out first among the seven runners in his group -- men ages 40-44 -- who were nominated for the annual Runner of the Year Award. To qualify, a runner must be a member of the New York Road Runners Club and have completed at least six fully scored races across a range of distances.




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Classmates' prayers help 7-year-old recover from rare heart disease


HONOLULU (CNS) -- In many ways, Meaghan Ababa is a typical 7-year-old girl. She loves playing with her Bratz dolls, going to the Chuck E. Cheese restaurant and attending catechism classes on Sunday. But after an astonishing total recovery from a rare and sudden illness that nearly killed her, some are calling her a "miracle girl." The apparent cause of what many feel was a miracle? Her classmates' prayers. Meaghan went from being hospitalized in Honolulu with what seemed like the flu to being whisked to a Los Angeles hospital after doctors determined she had a rare, life-threatening heart ailment and would need a transplant. As she lay near death, her catechism classmates prayed for her. The girl's condition completely turned around, leaving even her doctor feeling her recovery was miraculous.




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The Midpoint of Lent

What if I'm at the midpoint of Lent and not much is going on?
I began with the best of intentions, but I am not sure what I'm doing or what I want to be doing. Can my Lent be 'rescued"? Can a six week journey be completed in the remaining next two or three weeks - waiting for my heart to be open? Of course, the answer is "yes." It doesn't take long for God, when we are ready.

How to begin again
The first step to beginning again has already begun, if I have the desire for something real during Lent. A therapist once said that "we get better when we get tired of not being better." This isn't the same as "guilt." Feeling guilty for not doing much about Lent won't get us very far. What we need is a real desire - a real sense of expectation that God has something for me to hear, to learn, to change, and I want to be ready to listen.

This desire can co-exist with fear, with resistance, with bad habits that have been obstacles in the past. God doesn't need much of an opening to begin to free us and show us a transforming love.

A little desire is enough to shape deeper desires.
Once we can say we want to make something of these precious days remaining in Lent, then we can start naming some more specific desires.

For some of us, it is obvious. There is a big, glaring self-defeating pattern staring us in the face. Most of the time, however, it takes a little reflection, a bit of honest examination of conscience to really see what is getting in the way of my being a follower of Jesus.

After some reflection, I might admit that there is a streak of stubbornness or impatience or harshness that keeps putting me at odds with people. Perhaps there is an old wound or a fresh experience of hurt or loss that has turned into a festering anger that robs me of simple joys and sorrows or compassion for suffering of others. Maybe I am obsessed with how I look - how others see me - and my choices each day are guided by what will make other people like me, and my mood each day goes up and down depending upon people's response to me. I might somehow know that I'm compensating for some emptiness or loneliness or sadness or insecurity by trying to fill in what is missing with quite temporary satisfaction - over-eating, drinking too much, escaping in sexual fantasy or pornography or masturbation. Perhaps I know that my conflicts with my spouse are getting to a bad place, but because my spouse won't do what I want him/her to do - won't be self-sacrificing in loving me - so I refuse to die to myself in loving him/her. Or it might have gotten worse - to the point that I'm punishing him/her by my silence or withdrawal of attention, affection, time. And, maybe a homily or something I read recently made me realize that I really have not paid attention to the needs of the poor - and perhaps I've even taken stands and voted against issues and candidates who stand on the side of the poor. After some reflection, I may just realize I'm not very grateful for what has been given me, and therefore, I'm just not very happy, generous or free.

Lent begins when I can say "Help me Lord!"
Now I can turn to the Lord, with some real, concrete desires. Now I can practice waking up each morning and naming a desire - while I'm putting on my slippers, or taking a shower or getting dressed: "Lord, it feels so good to be honest with myself before you. Let me know your presence today. Help me face the challenges that will be there today. Give me some more freedom to make different choices, and act on the graces you are giving me, to refrain from escaping, but rather to give myself to loving, as you have loved me." Imagine all the different prayers like that - one minute long - that would shape our day! With these desires to let God's grace transform me, then I can pause before going to bed each night, and look back through the day to thank God for the places I felt God's presence and help.

Focusing Lent with a Plan
If we have a plan, we are more likely to follow it. That plan can have the following elements, which will give real purpose in vitality to our Lenten experience.

What am I going to give up each day?
This is something I need to fast from, abstain from every day. For most of us it means that whenever we feel the temptation to do something that is a bad pattern, we will recognize it quickly and refrain from doing it. It is basically training in self-discipline, for the purpose of letting God's grace have a chance to work in us. So, if being crabby or impatient with various people throughout my day is my struggle, then each morning I can ask for the grace to give that up today. And, I can practice some response that will replace it. Perhaps I will try to see the other person the way God sees him/her. Perhaps I will imagine some pain or struggle or insecurity that could be the reason that they are annoying me. Perhaps I just need to say something affirming or complementary to the person. Or, if I'm tempted to escape in fantasy throughout the day, I can ask for the grace each morning to live with and embrace the real human beings I live with today.

How can I be generous today?
Almsgiving has been such an important part of Lent. For most of us it involves being more generous to the poor. For some of us, it will mean giving money to the poor for the first time. For others, this may be the time for me to prepare food for a meal program in my city. For some of us, it could mean deciding some simplifying of our food patterns or entertainment, and giving that amount of money saved each week to the poor. It is again, all about, de-selfishing ourselves, so that God can free us to be more comfortable with the graces of gratitude and generosity.
Let's give Lent a new start in the days ahead. God is offering us more than we can ask or imagine.