The aim of this post is to capture a verse (or two) from the daily readings each day of Lent that stood out to me – and write a brief reflection. Hopefully life allows me this time of quiet contemplation.
Ash Wednesday, Feb 14: “Rend your hearts, not your garments and return to the Lord, your God.” (Joel 2:12-18). Consider how much force it would take to actually rend a garment. Then do that to your own heart. …How much easier would it be to rend a garment though? To ask you to do the same thing to your own heart? That requires true change. The verse immediately preceding this one is: “Return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning” – ah, there it is; the secret to success and knowledge that this will not be easy. But I must give God my whole heart.
Thurs, Feb 15: “Choose life then… by loving the Lord, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him.” (Deut 30:15-20) Love Him. Heed Him. Hold Fast to Him.
Fri, Feb 16: “This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: …setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.” (Isaiah 58:1-9a) For some reason I thought of the Beatitudes, but that isn’t correct — what I meant to think of was Matthew 25 and “The Judgment of Nations”. Also, “clothing the naked” – I don’t see literal naked people in my daily life, but there are plenty of people in need. To need clothes is to mean your most basic physical needs are not being met to say nothing of one’s spiritual needs.
Sat, Feb 17:“He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything behind he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at the table with them.” (Luke 5:27-32) Levi followed at once and left his old way of life behind. And then at home he invited the others -the few who would be willing to dine with him– to have a fancy meal with Jesus. :: There’s more there than I am comprehending. …Like how many tax collectors were in the area or did he have to invite them from large distances? And if so then he Jesus didn’t just reach Levi with his invitation – but the many others who were outcast. And all were invited to follow Jesus – “repent and believe in the gospel”.
Sun, Feb 18: “The spirit drove Jesus out in the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan.” (1 Peter 3:18-22) Jesus spent 40 days being tempted by Satan. And he did not succumb to temptation. During Lent I am spending 40 days trying to be a better person and avoid temptation when it arises — the temptations are miniscule when compared to what Jesus endured. And yet I struggle so.
From Fr. Miro’s Homily: “Joy gives Hope to the Spirit and Peace to the Heart”. I was able to remember this by thinking in emojis: 🙂 🌱🕊 ☮️❤️
Mon, Feb 19: Matthew 25: 31-46 was today’s gospel reading. The one I recollected on 2/16.
Tues, Feb 20: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves” – Psalm 34. And the preceding verse: “When the just cry out, the Lord hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them.” I feel like everyone should know this verse. And whenever a tough time arises it should be called to mind to help lift them up. Life can be hard and it can feel like God is no where to be found. This Psalm is a reminder that he is still there with you, he hears you, he saves you — no matter when, no matter what. || Also today’s “Prayer after Communion” is a good one: “that by moderating earthly desires we may learn to love the things of heaven”.
Weds, Feb 21: Jonah 3: 1-10. Jonah reluctantly listened to God and went to Nineveh to tell the people there that “Forty days more and Nineveh will be destroyed”. In imagining Jonah and thinking about what he might have thought about — he likely anticipated needing to take 40 days to share the message; or at least 3 in order to get thru all of the city. And surprisingly after going but a single day’s journey he was heard, believed, and the people repented. Was Jonah surprised by this? Did he think that his avoidance of this tough task now was silly for him to have done, seeing that it was so easy? … He came to the task God clearly asked of him with one view – with only his understanding and expectations. But by trusting and following God worked with his “yes” and great things happened — ever faster and better than he expected them to. By listening to God’s messengers and turning from our evil ways we can then discover what great things God has in store for us!
Thurs, Feb 22: “There is something greater than Jonah here” (Luke 11: 29-32). When Jesus confronts the evil generation they do not repent — let us not be hardened of heart; let us hear Jesus’ words; let his words cut to our hearts; let us repent and believe in the Gospel. Let us be like the people of Nineveh. :: The people of Nineveh didn’t just agree with Jonah they had to actually do something – sackcloth-no food-no water and most importantly: repent. It isn’t enough to just accept the word. You have to take proper action on your end to live the word.
Fri, Feb 23: “Set me free from my distress, O Lord. See my lowliness and suffering, and take away all my sins.” (Entrance Antiphon Ps 25: 17-18). This reminded me of my several years of infertility and how great God is to now have three beautiful children.
Sat, Feb 24: “Be perfect, just as your heavenly father is perfect.” (Mt 5: 43-38) This line is a wonderful summary of how a Christian is called to live their life. But oof, quite the challenge there.
Sun, Feb 25: “I believed, even when I said, ‘I am greatly afflicted.'” (Ps 116) This one again reminded me of my several years of infertility and how suffering thru that challenged me in many ways but also brought me closer to God.
Mon, Feb 26: “O God, who have taught us to chasten our bodies for the healing of our souls, enable us we pray, to abstain from all sins and strengthen our hearts to carry out your loving commands.” (Collect) Felt this one today. …I need to go to Confession again…
Tues, Feb 27: “I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.” (Ps 50) What a beautiful loving way to guide us in how to live! In our humanness we try to hide our errors and sins, from others and ourselves. But hiding them doesn’t make them go away. God gently calls these things before our eyes and makes us look at these things that are hard to look at — mainly all our failings in how we haven’t followed Him. But we need them brought before our eyes so that we can acknowledge our errors, atone for our sins, and actively work towards being better at choosing God over everything that leads us away from Him.
Weds, Feb 28: “Into your hands I commend my spirit” (Psalm 31) :: Scripture quoted by Jesus on the cross. One of the seven last words of Christ. To “commend” is “to entrust for care or preservation”.
Thurs, Feb 29: “Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings… Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is in the Lord.” (Jer 17: 5-10) Proper placement of trust is not on self, not on others, but with and in the Lord.
Fri, Mar 1: “Remember the marvels the Lord has done.” (Psalm 105) How often do I fail at this? Daily.
Sat, Mar 2: “this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again” (Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32). The son wasn’t physically dead, but he was spiritually dead – and in fact by asking for his inheritance from his father it was acting as though his father was already dead. The son made decisions against his father and his family and yet his father welcomed him back. …I can’t remember my more useful thought on this story; sorry that was a jumble…
Sun, Mar 3: “O God, author of every mercy and of all goodness, who in fasting, prayer, and almsgiving have shown us a remedy for sin” (Collect) Succinct.
Mon, Mar 4: 2 Kings 5 Naaman the leper. The “little girl” caught in a raid and turned into a slave/servant of Naaman’s wife — There is no mention that because of the little girl’s help that the little girl was rewarded/thanked in any way. In my mind I’d want her to be thanked – maybe freed? But perhaps she was just altruistic and did not even consider receiving any thanks or reward. (Plus, perhaps it was like a Joseph the Dreamer situation — where the enslavement was a strange way (my word) of bringing about what God wants to bring to fruition. ... I’m distracted in thought and actually distracted by someone talking to me as I try to think and type so this didn’t come out right...
Tues, Mar 5: “Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.” (Mt 18: 21-35) When I die I imagine I will be going to Purgatory so that I am made pure and am able to be in the presence of God. I can hear myself saying, “Be patient with me, and I will pay you back” – though at that point there is nothing I can do to right the wrongs I’ve done during my life. So it is better for me to heed this warning now and make amends and get myself into right relationship with God now when I can actively pay him back in the forms available to me ‘now’ (vs the unknown form which will be my only option ‘then’).
Weds, Mar 6: “Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called Least in the Kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5: 17-19) I’m not taking the right message away from this this time… but what stood out to me is that one would still be a part of the Kingdom of heaven. So here’s where theological learnings would be super to have as I take this to mean one could still be able to be in heaven, even if it is as the least among those there — but hey you made it!!! … I found this reassuring in that odd way where instead of feeling defeated by my faults and flaws I was uplifted to learn that even if I fail in a variety of ways I could still get to heaven.
Thurs, Mar 7: “This is the nation that does not listen to the voice of the LORD, its God, or take correction. Faithfulness has disappeared; the word itself is banished from their speech.” (Jeremiah 7: 23-28). Woah. I’m reading this and am thinking ‘Is this about the world today? I’m pretty sure this reflects the world as it is today.’
Fri, Mar 8: “I will heal their defection, says the LORD, I will love them freely.” (Hosea 14: 2-10) Return to the Lord your God. “Take with you words, and return to the Lord.” God’s love will not be denied. It is there. He will seek to bring you to Himself and if (when) you repent he will heal you and continue to love you. :: I also like the idea of taking words with me as I return to the Lord. …Now if only I could ever remember the Scripture verses, especially the ones that stand out to me daily… I would have the best words to bring before Him. So I need to do better at learning these words so that I can call upon them now – to praise and worship God my loving Father.
Sat, Mar 9: “Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else.” (Luke 18: 9-14) Ouch. But how many of us are like this? How often am I like this? How many times do I think I am right and you are wrong?
Sun, Mar 10: “…by grace you have been saved… the immeasurable riches of his grace… For by his grace you have been saved through faith.” (Ephesians 2: 4-10) So much grace, given to us by God “who is rich in mercy” and “because of the great love he ha(s) for us” and through his kindness. “It is the gift of God.”
Mon, Mar 11: “Hear, O Lord, and have pity on me; O Lord, be my helper. You changed my mourning into dancing; O Lord, my God, forever will I give you thanks.” (Psalm 30) A great line to turn to during prayer when you need more hope than you currently have.
Tues, Mar 12: “God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress.” (Psalm 46) Another one to turn to during prayers of supplication.
Weds, Mar 13: “I cannot do anything on my own.” (John 5: 17-30) If Jesus always remembered to rely on God (and he did) then how much more should I (a very flawed human) remember to rely on God rather than on myself? I must always remember: I cannot do anything on my own. No matter how much I might think so, no matter how much I might try to — No! I must stop thinking “I” do anything! And if “I” do it, it is really all done by the grace of God not I.
Thurs, Mar 14: “We invoke your mercy in humble prayer, O Lord, that you may cause us, your servants, corrected by penance and schooled by good works, to persevere sincerely in your commands.” (Collect) Not sure why, but “schooled by good works” jumped out at me. Psalm 106 was similar with “Withstood him in the breach” came at my face with power – with Jesus standing there as our protector and defender.
Fri, Mar 15: “Many are the troubles of the just man, but out of them all the Lord delivers him” (Psalm 34). Many are the troubles of every man; to be delivered from them be just and follow the ways of the Lord.
Sat, Mar 16: “Then each went to his own house.” (John 7: 40-53). I guess that is a neat little bow to end the story. But it just strikes me as strange. They were in a heated discussion about Jesus being the Christ and “a division occurred in the crowd because of him” and then the chief priests and Pharisees (and even the guards) get involved. Nicodemus stands up for Jesus. Then they ay to make sure no prophet arises from Galilee (which I personally am confused as to why this is key point to make sure it doesn’t happen (but that’s an exploration for another time I guess)). And after saying … Wait Wait … Oh my goodness! I just read that in a different intonation and understand it!! (I think). They were directing that comment to Nicodemus — so they were in effect telling him to consult scripture and see that Jesus cannot possibly be the Christ because Jesus is from Galilee and the Christ will come from David’s family and Bethlehem (as noted in the prior verses). :: “Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee” was not a directive to prevent one from arising (which is the way I’ve previously always read that), but rather it is said as an insult towards Nicodemus’ understanding of scripture and that he is a fool. It’s like they are saying “Look at all the scriptures and you will see that no where in the text will any prophet arise from Galilee.” aka You will find by not finding — You can’t be right because the scriptures aren’t wrong. :: They don’t consider that their understanding of Jesus as from Galilee isn’t entirely correct. (Hence why other Gospels make it clear as to his lineage and birth story that Jesus is of the House of David and was born in Bethlehem). ::: So they each go to their own houses after the Pharisees insult the education of another Pharisee (and Sanhedrin member!) — I assume the most ultimate put down one could muster up against someone — by telling them that they are wrong in their biblical understanding.
Sun, Mar 17: “In the days when Christ Jesus was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.” (Hebrews 5: 7-9). I am feeling embarrassed to say that I don’t recall ever reading this verse. I know this happens to me more often than I would like. But I feel like I would remember a line where Jesus is shouting out with loud cries and tears. Such humanity and anguish — just like each of us experience day to day. It’s such a visceral depiction of Jesus’s humanness that I think we each can identify with. It hurts my heart to think of Jesus’ hurting heart.
Mon, Mar 18: “Through tears she looked up to heaven, for she trusted in the Lord wholeheartedly.” …”But Susanna cried aloud: O eternal God, you know what is hidden and are aware of all things before they come to be” (Daniel 13). First prayer without words but crying and trusting (and God sees her and hears her heart). Second, prayer with words and pleading and trusting. :: How often I’ve been Susanna praying through tears, but I know I have failed at trusting wholeheartedly. And yet, God, in his love and mercy, is with me with His whole heart. He is patient with me and he loves me so much he takes even the smallest amount of trust that I show in him and he multiplies it.
Tues, Mar 19: “Happy St. Joseph’s Feast Day! “You are my father, my God, my Rock, my savior.” (Psalm 89). Four wonderful names for God in so few words. And he is isn’t just those things, he is “my” those things! He is My Father. He is My God. He is My Rock. He is My Savior.
Weds, Mar 20: “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.” (Daniel 3) They have faith in God so strong that they were willing to die for righteousness rather than defile themselves with idolatry. This is another Bible story that I love. I’ve written a poem about it here.
Thurs, Mar 21: “Look with favor, Lord, we pray, on these sacrificial offerings, that they may profit our conversion and the salvation of all the world. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.” (Prayer over the Offerings). Conversion and Salvation through the Body and Blood of Christ.
Fri, Mar 22: “I love you, O Lord, my strength, O Lord, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer. My God, my rock of refuge, my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18). 9 wonderful terms for my God.
Sat, Mar 23: “Many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what Jesus had done began to believe in him.” (John 11: 45-56). Coming to Jesus through Mary.
Sun, Mar 24 (Palm Sunday): “But you , O Lord, be not far from me; O my help, hasten to aid me.” (Psalm 22).
Mon, Mar 25: “Contend, O Lord, with my contenders; fight those who fight me.” (Psalm 35; Entrance Antiphon). I just really like the strength of those lines. They make me feel invincible. And with Jesus and God, I am.
Tues, Mar 26: “…my rock of refuge… my rock and my fortress… my hope… my trust… my strength…” (Psalm 71). 6 wonderful names for God.
Weds, Mar 27: “The Lord God is my help.” (Isaiah 50) | “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The teacher says, “My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.”‘” (Matthew 26: 14-25) I am curious if “a certain man” was known and his identity hidden like we read about “the beloved disciple” who we know is really John. But I do like the anonymity and how you can think about this man because it wasn’t like Scripture says, “He went to Lazarus” or “He went to Zebedee” (for example). Did this certain man have an association with Jesus and the disciples? I tend to think about this man as just some guy with a house who was minding his own business and was asked to open his home, prepare a Passover meal with/for 13 people. Or perhaps he was someone who was prompted by God to be ready to serve Him and he was getting everything ready to celebrate a large Passover meal but didn’t yet have guests invited. Either way he was immediately open to Jesus’ request — which makes me think about myself and would I be ready to be called upon in this very tangible way to serve the Lord? I would probably be like (after some hestitating) “Um, suuure, lemme just go and clean my whole house since I am in no way prepared to have any visitors.” –or something to that effect where I hopefully don’t say ‘no’ but then I worry about the truly insignificant -but socially important- things. I’d probably get hung up on the physical and social rather than the spiritual. … This anonymous man gives his “Yes” and from that ‘yes’ the Last Supper is able to take place.
Thurs, Mar 28 (Holy Thursday): “How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me? The cup of salvation I shall take up, and I will call upon the name of the Lord.” (Psalm 116). Jesus instituted the celebration of the Eucharist and we consume his Body and Blood. As Christians we have a clear understanding that “cup of salvation” means Jesus’ blood. But what does this expression mean to Jewish people (both in/before Jesus’ time and now)?
Fri, Mar 29 (Good Friday): Jesus said to Peter, “Shall I not drink the cup the Father gave me?” (John 18: 1-19:42). This is a handy line to read in light of my questions from yesterday. | “Behold the wood of the Cross, on which hung the salvation of the world.” (The Adoration of the Holy Cross)
Sat, Mar 30 (Holy Saturday): “that with minds made pure we may attain festivities of unending splendor”; “May the light of Christ rising in glory dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.” (The Blessing of the Fire and Preparation of the Candle) Festivities of unending splendor! My spirit soars at the very thought! | “Let us listen with quiet hearts to the Word of God.” (The Liturgy of the Word) | “Grant us, we pray, to set our minds against the enticements of sin, that we may merit to attain eternal joys” (Prayer after the (1st) Reading) | “You will show me the path to life” (Psalm 16) | “the Lord cast through the column of the fiery cloud upon the Egyptian force a glance that threw it into a panic” (3rd Reading; Exodus 14-15) We cannot truly fathom God and what being in his presence is like. Even angels shield their eyes. But in these lines we see some of His power (as He parts the Red Sea), and also the impact of just a glance. | “graciously increase the longing of your people, for only at the prompting of your grace do the faithful progress in any kind of virtue” (Prayer after the (5th) Reading) | “Had you walked in the way of God, you would have dwelt in enduring peace.” (6th Reading; Baruch 3) | “stir up in your Church a spirit of adoption, so that, renewed in body and mind, we may render you undivided service.” (Collect) | “On entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were utterly amazed. He said to them, “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him.” (Mark 16: 1-7) If I opt for the most simplistic and humorous way of reading this I chuckle to myself a little — it’s just some young man who perhaps was wandering around in the cemetery at the break of day and Resurrected Jesus is like “Can you do me a favor? Can you come in here and wait for someone to come along and check on me? And when they do please point out that I am no longer here and then give them this message: ‘I am going before you to Galilee; there you will see me, as I told you.‘” :: It is never really an area anyone would ever dwell on given the fact that this is the moment Mary, Mary, and Salome experience the truth of the Resurrection. But in my most irreverential moments I interpret this scene in a more absurd and sacrilegious way. If I play out the scene further that this is just a “young man” I’d also think that Jesus gives him clear instructions to first tell these women: “Do not be amazed!” and then: “Be sure to point out that my body is not where they left my body. Just be super clear on this point. Really drive home that I am no longer in the tomb.” And then this young man just waits around like Jesus told him to until the women come along. And then perhaps he gives them the message and, since he was all done being a human in-person telegram, he goes on his way with doing whatever he was originally going to do. I don’t know why this strikes me as the point to latch onto in this strange way, but I did enjoy mentally exploring it in that manner rather than in my usual “Then the angel reveals that the Resurrection has occurred and that Jesus has big plans for them in Galilee.”
Sun, Mar 31 (Easter Sunday): “O God, who on this day, through your Only Begotten Son, have conquered death and unlocked for us the path to eternity.” (Collect). Christos Voskrese! Vostinus Voskrese!
Give God Your Yes 