Mar. 4, 2018 - Third Sunday in Lent - "B" Cycle
May you continue to grow in your faith with the GOD Who desires to be in an ever deepening covenant relationship with you.
Today we have two sets of readings. One set comes from the “B” Cycle and focuses on what it means to being "bound again" (re-ligio) to the GOD Who loves us. It moves us to seek GOD’s plan for our lives. The other set of readings is from the “A” Cycle and is read particularly in liturgies which celebrate the First Scrutinies of the Elect who will be fully received into the church through the sacraments of the initiation at the Easter Vigil. The focus is on the life-giving water which is used in Baptism. No matter which set of readings is used, we are being called today to reflect on how GOD takes the initiative in developing a relationship with us. The Lord Jesus desires that we be bound (again) with the GOD Who loves us. GOD cares for us much more than we can comprehend and understand. It is only in living in a closer relationship with this GOD of relationships that we can further develop our “knowledge” of how much GOD loves us.
May you continue to grow in your faith with the GOD Who desires to be in an ever deepening covenant relationship with you.
Today we have two sets of readings. One set comes from the “B” Cycle and focuses on what it means to being "bound again" (re-ligio) to the GOD Who loves us. It moves us to seek GOD’s plan for our lives. The other set of readings is from the “A” Cycle and is read particularly in liturgies which celebrate the First Scrutinies of the Elect who will be fully received into the church through the sacraments of the initiation at the Easter Vigil. The focus is on the life-giving water which is used in Baptism. No matter which set of readings is used, we are being called today to reflect on how GOD takes the initiative in developing a relationship with us. The Lord Jesus desires that we be bound (again) with the GOD Who loves us. GOD cares for us much more than we can comprehend and understand. It is only in living in a closer relationship with this GOD of relationships that we can further develop our “knowledge” of how much GOD loves us.
Readings can be obtained from: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/030418-year-b.cfm
Saint Casimir: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-casimir/
Readings: Exodus 20: 1-17; Psalm 19: 8, 9, 10, 11; 1 Corinthians 1: 22-25; John 2: 13-25
Our readings speak about different aspects of our covenant relationship with GOD. The reading from the Hebrew Scriptures presents the covenant relationship in the Ten Commandments (Decalogue). The psalm praises the value of GOD’s laws and commandments. In his first letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul describes the wisdom and strength of GOD’s plan of salvation in and through Jesus. In the Gospel, Jesus shows His love for the sanctity of GOD’s presence among the people and His abhorrence of those who put restrictions on experiencing GOD’s presence.
Our first reading gives us one of the two versions of the Ten Commandments (the other is Deuteronomy 5: 6-21). The first few commandments deal with how the people are to relate to GOD. The last ones deal with relationship to other people. The purpose of the commandments are to reassure the people that they are "bound again" (re-ligio) with GOD through the covenant of relationships. Not only are they bound to GOD, they are also bound with the people around them.
The psalmist realizes the value of GOD’s law and precepts. The commandments are meant to provide life for those who follow them. The psalmist describes the results of those who keep their end of the covenant relationship and obey GOD’s commands: refreshed souls, wisdom for the simple, rejoicing hearts, and enlightened eyes. Doing the will of GOD is more precious than gold and sweeter than honey.
In this section of his letter to the Corinthians, Paul proclaims that the message of Jesus is hard to accept for Jews and non-Jews alike. The stumbling block (skandalon) – scandal – for the Jews is that Jesus announces that He is the Son of GOD, completely One with the GOD of Hebrew Scriptures. Jews cannot accept that the One and Only GOD can somehow be Abba-Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. That is scandalous and sacrilegious for an orthodox Jew. The Gentiles can accept that Jesus is the Son of GOD, truly divine and truly human. For them the problem is the illogical belief that Jesus, the Son of GOD, died on a cross in order to save humanity. That is a contradiction in their understand of GOD. Paul end this passage by proclaiming that even the weakest power of GOD is so powerful that it can get over any stumbling block placed in the path of Jews and GOD’s foolishness (illogicality) is more wise than best human wisdom. GOD’s covenant relationship is beyond human comprehension. We are call to apprehend the covenant relationship by accepting all that Jesus and His faithful disciples have taught.
The Gospel of John has Jesus’ cleansing the Temple (The dwelling place of GOD’s presence) at the very beginning of His ministry. Being in relationship with His Abba, Jesus is upset with the way people have changed having a relationship with GOD to a for-profit business. “Prophets” (spokespersons for GOD) have given way to “profits” (financial gains). True religion (re-ligio) means to be “bound again” with GOD and others – to deepen one’s relationships. It is not a financial arrangement to deepen the pocketbooks of some people.
As I reflect on the readings, I am once again reminded of what it is that GOD wants for us and from us. GOD wants us to be in relationship with the Almighty, and not adherents to strict rules, regulations, and the almighty dollar. GOD has revealed the Ten Commandments not to enslave us but to free us to be in closer connection (covenant relationship) with GOD. The people with whom Moses shared GOD’s Ten Commandments had just been released from slavery in Egypt. GOD wanted them to experience life – life in relationship with GOD. The Decalogue was meant to reinforce the people’s bond with GOD and with each other – it was a sign of the covenant which GOD had made with them. Because GOD was blessing them with the Divine Presence and an intimate connection with the LORD, GOD wanted them to realize how they were to live out that covenant. GOD is pictured as “jealous.” Because GOD has established the link with them, they were to show their union with GOD by having nothing to do with the belief in other so-called gods. Because GOD had called them by name, they were to use GOD’s name in a holy and proper way, going so far as to never even audibly voice GOD’s proper name (YHWH). Because GOD had taken the time to interface with them and free them from captivity, they were to take the time weekly to be in covenant relationship with GOD by observing the Sabbath as the Day of the LORD. Because they as a community of believers were being bound again with GOD, they were also being bound with the other members of their community. They must be in proper covenant relationship not only with GOD but also with their parents and with all the other people of GOD. Being in relationship with others meant being honest, respecting others and their property, and caring for others. For many people, it is easier to understand what a relationship is all about by stating what activities violate a covenant relationship: disrespect, murder, stealing, lying, breaking promises and vows, and desiring what others have.
Obviously this understanding of covenant relationship reaches its greatest fulfillment in Jesus and His ministry. Yet, those who are caught up in legal interpretation, logical thinking, and a desire to make a profit from others are not going to accept Jesus and His message. It means that they would have to change their behavior to reflect a GOD of relationship rather than a religion of rules, human logic, and financial gains. It is no wonder that Paul describes Jesus and His GOoD News of a relational GOD as a scandal (stumbling block) to some of the heart-hardened Jews and a folly to many of the analytical Gentiles. A GOD of relationships demands a whole new way of thinking and being. Such a GOD does not fit into human plans and concepts. Having a relationship with such a GOD demands obedience, but such an obedience frees those who obey to a closer and deeper covenant relationship with the GOD Who is Relational. It also empowers the faithful followers to be in a more loving and caring relationship with others.
The psalmist today speaks about the freeing power of being in relationship with GOD and keeping GOD’s commandments. To the psalmist, having a covenant relationship and following the precepts of GOD is something positive and powerful. Thus he speaks of obedience to the bonds which unite the people to GOD as refreshing souls, giving wisdom to the simple, rejoicing the hearts, and enlightening the eyes. Obedience to GOD’s will is the real source of wealth and sweet nourishment. May we join the psalmist and experience the freedom of the children of GOD by fulfilling all the commands of the Lord Jesus, especially as summarized in Jesus’ command, “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13: 34).
Blessed are You, LORD GOD, ever desirous of having a relationship with us. Through Your GOoDness, You have repeatedly entered into covenants with us. You have committed Yourself to us and asked us to accept Your invitation to be bound with You by simply obeying Your Word. You want us to experience the freedom which comes from such a relationship and share that relationship with others. With the limitations of our wisdom and being misled by the deceits of others and the enemy, we have misunderstood Your plan and have built our own interpretation of how we should respond to Your offer of a deeper relationship with You. We have institutionalized the precepts which were meant to free us to love You more and we have imposed unbearable burdens on ourselves and others, all in Your name. At times we have sought our own earthly gains at the expense of others and their relationship with You and with us. For the stumbling blocks we have placed in our own or others’ way to You, we seek Your pardon and forgiveness. For the false wisdom which leads us away from You, we seek Your healing. Help us to enjoy the refreshment, wisdom, joy, enlightenment, richness, and sweetness of being in relationship with You and to share it with others. We lift this prayer up in the name of Your Son, Jesus, Who has freed us to love as He has loved us, and Who is living and reigning with You and the Holy Spirit, our one and only GOD, forever and ever. Amen.
Song of the Day: What If God Was One of Us?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90P0n5AlSlA
Video of the Day: Saint Casimir of Poland: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeE2KCJQwWw
© rjk, 01-06-18
Downloadable .pdf copy of the reflection is below:
Saint Casimir: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-casimir/
Readings: Exodus 20: 1-17; Psalm 19: 8, 9, 10, 11; 1 Corinthians 1: 22-25; John 2: 13-25
Our readings speak about different aspects of our covenant relationship with GOD. The reading from the Hebrew Scriptures presents the covenant relationship in the Ten Commandments (Decalogue). The psalm praises the value of GOD’s laws and commandments. In his first letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul describes the wisdom and strength of GOD’s plan of salvation in and through Jesus. In the Gospel, Jesus shows His love for the sanctity of GOD’s presence among the people and His abhorrence of those who put restrictions on experiencing GOD’s presence.
Our first reading gives us one of the two versions of the Ten Commandments (the other is Deuteronomy 5: 6-21). The first few commandments deal with how the people are to relate to GOD. The last ones deal with relationship to other people. The purpose of the commandments are to reassure the people that they are "bound again" (re-ligio) with GOD through the covenant of relationships. Not only are they bound to GOD, they are also bound with the people around them.
The psalmist realizes the value of GOD’s law and precepts. The commandments are meant to provide life for those who follow them. The psalmist describes the results of those who keep their end of the covenant relationship and obey GOD’s commands: refreshed souls, wisdom for the simple, rejoicing hearts, and enlightened eyes. Doing the will of GOD is more precious than gold and sweeter than honey.
In this section of his letter to the Corinthians, Paul proclaims that the message of Jesus is hard to accept for Jews and non-Jews alike. The stumbling block (skandalon) – scandal – for the Jews is that Jesus announces that He is the Son of GOD, completely One with the GOD of Hebrew Scriptures. Jews cannot accept that the One and Only GOD can somehow be Abba-Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. That is scandalous and sacrilegious for an orthodox Jew. The Gentiles can accept that Jesus is the Son of GOD, truly divine and truly human. For them the problem is the illogical belief that Jesus, the Son of GOD, died on a cross in order to save humanity. That is a contradiction in their understand of GOD. Paul end this passage by proclaiming that even the weakest power of GOD is so powerful that it can get over any stumbling block placed in the path of Jews and GOD’s foolishness (illogicality) is more wise than best human wisdom. GOD’s covenant relationship is beyond human comprehension. We are call to apprehend the covenant relationship by accepting all that Jesus and His faithful disciples have taught.
The Gospel of John has Jesus’ cleansing the Temple (The dwelling place of GOD’s presence) at the very beginning of His ministry. Being in relationship with His Abba, Jesus is upset with the way people have changed having a relationship with GOD to a for-profit business. “Prophets” (spokespersons for GOD) have given way to “profits” (financial gains). True religion (re-ligio) means to be “bound again” with GOD and others – to deepen one’s relationships. It is not a financial arrangement to deepen the pocketbooks of some people.
As I reflect on the readings, I am once again reminded of what it is that GOD wants for us and from us. GOD wants us to be in relationship with the Almighty, and not adherents to strict rules, regulations, and the almighty dollar. GOD has revealed the Ten Commandments not to enslave us but to free us to be in closer connection (covenant relationship) with GOD. The people with whom Moses shared GOD’s Ten Commandments had just been released from slavery in Egypt. GOD wanted them to experience life – life in relationship with GOD. The Decalogue was meant to reinforce the people’s bond with GOD and with each other – it was a sign of the covenant which GOD had made with them. Because GOD was blessing them with the Divine Presence and an intimate connection with the LORD, GOD wanted them to realize how they were to live out that covenant. GOD is pictured as “jealous.” Because GOD has established the link with them, they were to show their union with GOD by having nothing to do with the belief in other so-called gods. Because GOD had called them by name, they were to use GOD’s name in a holy and proper way, going so far as to never even audibly voice GOD’s proper name (YHWH). Because GOD had taken the time to interface with them and free them from captivity, they were to take the time weekly to be in covenant relationship with GOD by observing the Sabbath as the Day of the LORD. Because they as a community of believers were being bound again with GOD, they were also being bound with the other members of their community. They must be in proper covenant relationship not only with GOD but also with their parents and with all the other people of GOD. Being in relationship with others meant being honest, respecting others and their property, and caring for others. For many people, it is easier to understand what a relationship is all about by stating what activities violate a covenant relationship: disrespect, murder, stealing, lying, breaking promises and vows, and desiring what others have.
Obviously this understanding of covenant relationship reaches its greatest fulfillment in Jesus and His ministry. Yet, those who are caught up in legal interpretation, logical thinking, and a desire to make a profit from others are not going to accept Jesus and His message. It means that they would have to change their behavior to reflect a GOD of relationship rather than a religion of rules, human logic, and financial gains. It is no wonder that Paul describes Jesus and His GOoD News of a relational GOD as a scandal (stumbling block) to some of the heart-hardened Jews and a folly to many of the analytical Gentiles. A GOD of relationships demands a whole new way of thinking and being. Such a GOD does not fit into human plans and concepts. Having a relationship with such a GOD demands obedience, but such an obedience frees those who obey to a closer and deeper covenant relationship with the GOD Who is Relational. It also empowers the faithful followers to be in a more loving and caring relationship with others.
The psalmist today speaks about the freeing power of being in relationship with GOD and keeping GOD’s commandments. To the psalmist, having a covenant relationship and following the precepts of GOD is something positive and powerful. Thus he speaks of obedience to the bonds which unite the people to GOD as refreshing souls, giving wisdom to the simple, rejoicing the hearts, and enlightening the eyes. Obedience to GOD’s will is the real source of wealth and sweet nourishment. May we join the psalmist and experience the freedom of the children of GOD by fulfilling all the commands of the Lord Jesus, especially as summarized in Jesus’ command, “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13: 34).
- The personal question/action for today: Do I see how the GOD Whom Jesus revealed could be a stumbling block to His fellow Jews and utter foolishness to the sophisticated Greek? How does having a GOD of Relationships fit into my understanding of GOD and my practice of my faith? What value do rules, commandments and precepts have in my life, particularly in binding me again (re-ligio) to GOD and to others? How can I better live out my relationship with GOD and others today? This week?
Blessed are You, LORD GOD, ever desirous of having a relationship with us. Through Your GOoDness, You have repeatedly entered into covenants with us. You have committed Yourself to us and asked us to accept Your invitation to be bound with You by simply obeying Your Word. You want us to experience the freedom which comes from such a relationship and share that relationship with others. With the limitations of our wisdom and being misled by the deceits of others and the enemy, we have misunderstood Your plan and have built our own interpretation of how we should respond to Your offer of a deeper relationship with You. We have institutionalized the precepts which were meant to free us to love You more and we have imposed unbearable burdens on ourselves and others, all in Your name. At times we have sought our own earthly gains at the expense of others and their relationship with You and with us. For the stumbling blocks we have placed in our own or others’ way to You, we seek Your pardon and forgiveness. For the false wisdom which leads us away from You, we seek Your healing. Help us to enjoy the refreshment, wisdom, joy, enlightenment, richness, and sweetness of being in relationship with You and to share it with others. We lift this prayer up in the name of Your Son, Jesus, Who has freed us to love as He has loved us, and Who is living and reigning with You and the Holy Spirit, our one and only GOD, forever and ever. Amen.
Song of the Day: What If God Was One of Us?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90P0n5AlSlA
Video of the Day: Saint Casimir of Poland: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeE2KCJQwWw
© rjk, 01-06-18
Downloadable .pdf copy of the reflection is below:
mar._04_2018_-_lent_-_3_-_s_-_b.pdf | |
File Size: | 1143 kb |
File Type: |