The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, March 11, 2001
The Second Sunday of Lent
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 15:5-12,17-18
Psalm 27:1,7-9,13-14
Philipians 3:17--4:1
Luke 6:39-45
Full text: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/index.htm
A Reflection on Today's Scripture:
"This is my chosen Son; listen to Him." (Luke 9:35)
To understand today's readings, we should know that a "covenant" is a
solemn and mutual agreement that binds two parties to fulfilling the
conditions a contract sets forth. We know God's promises stand firm
eternally, but a covenant remains effective and to the benefit of the
second party (man) if he obeys the conditions of the contract.
When Christ takes Peter, John and James up the Mount of
Transfiguration, He definitively reveals His identity through God's
glory that shown from Him. Jesus also implies that He will share this
glory with them at the proper time. But first they must journey in
faith with Him to Jerusalem to witness Christ giving Himself over to
sinful men to be crucified, the spotless Lamb whose shed blood will
bring salvation to the world. Jesus, in putting our sin to death in
His human flesh, becomes the Mediator of the "new and everlasting
covenant" between God and man. All are called to participate in this
covenant, but only those who, through love, obey God's Word will be
counted as citizens in His glorious kingdom.
In our journey to Jerusalem with Christ, we must also die. Like Him,
with love toward all, we must daily bear the "little deaths", the
hardships, injustices and deprivations perpetrated by sinful
humanity. Each time we deal with others in Christ's love rather than
in sinful, vengeful ways, we fulfill the conditions of His covenant
and join Him in bringing salvation to this world.
Blessed Redeemer,
teach us that only sacrificial love
and not our repaying evil with evil
can bring about the conversion of sinful hearts to You.
Amen.
- Marie L. Bocko OCDS ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
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