These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. (Lk 11:14-23)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031623.cfm
Jesus’ ministry to those on the margins of society got him into plenty of trouble. Whenever the church reaches out to those that others prefer to exclude, it suffers the same fate. The question for us is where do we want to be—with the pure and the smug? Or with Jesus?
For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him? Or what great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today? However, take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children's children. (Dt 4:1, 5-9)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031523.cfm
How important it is to teach your children and your children’s children the story of what God has done for us. As the old grandpa said, ¨We must tell the story . . . for when we stop remembering, we forget.’
Peter approached Jesus and asked him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.¨ (Mt 18:21-35)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031423.cfm
As Peter discovers, it´s risky asking Jesus questions. Forgiveness is not optional—it is rather the heart of the gospel that Jesus preaches and lives.
Naaman, the army commander of the king of Aram, was highly esteemed and respected by his master, for through him the LORD had brought victory to Aram. But valiant as he was, the man was a leper. Now the Arameans had captured in a raid on the land of Israel a little girl, who became the servant of Naaman’s wife. “If only my master would present himself to the prophet in Samaria,” she said to her mistress, “he would cure him of his leprosy.” (2 Kgs 5:1-15ab)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031323.cfm
So much depends on the anonymous characters in the Scriptures. Today the little slave girl who bravely speaks up about the prophet in her country becomes the means by which healing comes to the Syrian commander. And then Jesus speaking about God intervening on behalf of ¨foreigners¨ proves to be too much for the people of his home town of Nazareth—they want to kill him. Today´s photo is of two pilgrims washing in the Jordan River.
Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me everything I have done. (Jn 4:5-42)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031223.cfm
Water, like salvation itself, runs through the readings of this third Sunday of Lent. For those who are preparing for Baptism at Easter, their thirst will be satisfied with the Living Water that Christ provides for a person to drink and never thirst again. In one sense, Lent is an extended retreat preparing us all to renew the vows of our Baptism and inviting us to drink the Living Water that gives eternal life.
