“Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!”
Psalm 137
Readings
Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23
Ephesians 2:4-10
John 3:14-21
Reflection
by Sister Dorothy Jean Beyer, OSB
We are beginning the Sunday for the fourth week of Lent ALREADY!! I am examining in my heart how I am doing so far with my commitments that I wrote on my BONA OPERA, the good works I am doing during these forty days. It is a good thing to do, that is, to take stock of my spiritual practices, to recommit to them, to renew my energies in accomplishing them.
The opening prayer for Sunday’s Eucharist captures the essence of the season and shines a light on our practices. Listen to this beautiful prayer: “O God, who through your Word reconcile the human race to yourself in a wonderful way, grant, we pray, that with prompt devotion and eager faith the Christian people may hasten toward the solemn feast to come.” So how prompt is my devotion? How eager is my faith? How joyous is my doing of good works, my prayer, my fasting as I hasten toward Easter, the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection? Am I moving toward the light, the Light of the Risen Christ?
Let us take some time this week to reflect on our Lenten Journey. How fruitful is it? How cooperative am I with God’s grace? How much time do I spend with Scriptures each day? For example, will I take time to do lectio divina on today’s Sunday readings by rereading them and reflecting on their meaning? Every day we can begin again and know the “immeasurable riches of God’s grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”
Let us pray for each other, so that each of us will have a blessed and holy Lent.
From the Rule of St. Benedict
“In other words, let each one deny him/herself some food, drink, sleep, needless talking and idle jesting, and look forward to holy Easter with joy and holy long.” Ch. 49:7
Gospel Acclamation
“God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.” John 3:16
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