This is the point in Lent when we turn with Jesus to face the cross ahead, hearing the words, "unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest."
Courage in small things leads to courage in larger things. Nicodemus showed great courage in standing up for Jesus. Can we use our Lenten observances to become more courageous?
Jesus tells us to be merciful, just as our Father is merciful. We do not have to wait for heaven to experience God's mercy, it is available every day in the confessional.
In the Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John get challenged to believe that Jesus really is God's son, but that challenge is also a mercy, welcoming them into the heart of God. May we find the challenge and the mercy this Lent.
In the scriptures today, Nathan points out David's error to him and Jesus points out his disciples' lack of faith. Are we open to correcting one another so that we all might become better?
Saints Timothy and Titus accompanied Paul on his mission to the gentiles, translating their hebraic faith to make it understandable in a greek culture. As our culture moves away from its Christian mooring, we need to learn to translate our own faith to make understandable to those around us, as did Timothy and Titus.
On the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God ("Theotokos" in Greek), we ponder how closely that connected her with God, and then, remembering that we are also God's children by adoption, we are invited to acknowledge our own closeness to God.
On this Feast of the Holy Family, we reflect on how we learn our faith and how to love and how to forgive in our families, which is why it is called the "domestic church."
As Jesus cured the deaf and the mute, at baptism we pray the "ephratah", blessing the ears that they might receive the Word of God and the mouth that is might proclaim it. After baptism, we never lose this intimate connection to God.
Isaiah prophesies a time when the Spirit of the Lord will come upon the world and bring a peace so profound that "the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb." This Advent, we are challenged to open ourselves to the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus challenges his disciples not to look back, but to keep going whatever comes. To be Christian, we must find mercy and love in our hearts in the midst of trials, even if no one else respects that, for love and mercy is our call and our ultimate gift to the world.
St. Paul encourages us to "hold on to what is good," but sometimes, we get discouraged and don't know why we should even try. J.R. Tolkien gives voice to a reason.
