Author: yuengerwv

The Gentiles were delighted when they heard what Paul had to say and glorified the word of the Lord Without being misogynist it is interesting that the Jews “incited the women of prominence who were worshipers” followed by “the leading men of the city” to create problems for Paul.  When we think of the importance of leadership in faith, the role of women cannot be diminished.  Women were the first to commit their lives to Jesus, in the form o his mother Mary.  It was Veronica who wiped Jesus’ face during his passion.  Mary of Magdalen was the first person to proclaim Jesus’ resurrection.  It also reminds those of us, who are the leading men, have an obligation to provide good leadership, especially in the area of faith.
John continuing his vision from last week mentions the great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. Are we willing to go through the difficulties a times of distress to assure our presence in this vision, or do we want an “easy faith”?
The Gospel reminds us that his sheep hear his voice; I know them, and they follow me.   Are we willing to follow him, or do we think we know better where to find the ultimate green pastures?

In the first reading we hear that the apostles were rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of Jesus’ name.  Do we rejoice when we are put down or ridiculed our outcast because we are Christian or Catholic?  Or, do we walk away in shame of our faith, unwilling to bravely proclaim the truth even of others have no desire to hear the truth?
The second reading follows the first in asking are we ready to proclaim Jesus Lord and worship him here and now so that we can worship him in heaven?
We are challenged by all three of these readings to answer the question Jesus posed to Simon Peter, “Do you love me more than these?”  What things do we allow to get in between us and our faith in Jesus? Possessions?  People? Behaviors?   Like Peter Jesus invites us to “Follow him” but only after we have put him first and are willing to let go of everything else.

Many signs and wonders were done among the people at the hands of the apostles. What signs and wonders are we performing for others to see and to become believers?  We don’t need to perform miracles to be a witness to Jesus, but we do need to be faithful even when we are scared or intimidated by our friends or those around us.
John’s vision which forms the book of revelations begins with seeing Jesus in heaven.  He is told, “do not be afraid.”  Jesus calls each of us to be his witnesses and to boldly proclaim the truth even if it means exile from our homes, our families, our jobs, our country.  Many around the world to this day suffer the same treatment as John.  How willing are we to follow their example in living our lives worthy of being called Jesus’ disciples?
In today’s Gospel we hear of Jesus visiting his disciples to support them.  He also provides them with part of their mission, to forgive sins, just as Jesus had done.  How quick are we to forgive the sins of those who have harmed us, hurt us, enraged us, ridiculed us, made fun of us, laughed at us, scorned us, disowned us?  Like Thomas we need to be honest, that such forgiveness is not easy to accept or to give.  But as the “Lord’s Prayer” says, “as we forgive those who have trespassed against us.”  If we cannot forgive, neither will we be forgiven – a thought that should give us all a pause for thought.

The first reading has Peter saying, “We are witnesses!”  Are we witnesses too? How about when it is inconvenient? How often do we refuse to be a witness because of embarrassing circumstances? Are we willing to witness to our faith or do we back down in the face of confrontation or ridicule?
Paul invites us, “let us celebrate the feast, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” Do we truly witness and celebrate the truth? Have we transformed our lives during our Lenten experience to better live the life of Christ?
In the Gospel we have Mary from Magdala telling others about Jesus and the empty tomb. They didn’t believe her and wanted to see for themselves. How do you think she felt, when fellow disciples of Jesus didn’t believe her? How do we feel when we share the faith and others disbelieve or scoff at us?

Today is an odd Sunday because we start Mass with the Gospel reading. Here Jesus is entering Jerusalem. lf we knew we would be killed by going somewhere would we still go? If we knew we would be tortured and suffer, would we still volunteer?
The first reading challenges us as to how we respond to poor treatment.
Do we turn the other cheek?
Do we offer our backs to be beaten?
Do we offer our head to have our hair plucked out?
How we respond to good things, tells us one thing about ourselves. How we respond to evil or bad things happening, tells us even more.
The second reading reminds us that Jesus, “he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death.” Do we exalt or humble ourselves? Are we obedient to God’s commands or do we find excuses for ourselves?

One of the common problems people often have is the desire for new and improved and even more spectacular events.  What happened a year ago is “old hat” we want something new, and we want it NOW!  In the first reading Isaiah starts by reiterating the liberation of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt.  The miraculous parting of the Red Sea, the mana.  BUT he knows that was generations ago, “What is God doing for us TODAY?” we ask.  As we prepare for Passion Sunday and the Holy Triduum of the Paschal Mystery, we hear God saying, “I am doing something new!”  The Psalm reminds us “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.”  Are we?  Really???
Paul says, “I consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.  For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish.”  Do we all our possessions rubbish?  Are we willing to walk away from them so that we may gain Christ and be found in him?
In the Gospel we hear the familiar story of the woman caught in “the very act of committing” adultery.  I am always amazed that the misogynist leaders brought the woman only, what happened to the man?  I am sure many women today will voice the concern, “It is always the woman’s fault”, “Didn’t you know that the man is always an innocent victim of a woman’s charm?”  How often do we blame others for our bad decisions?  We so often want justice with other people but mercy for ourselves.  When we take time to confess our sins, do we hear Jesus’ voice, “Has no one condemned you?”  “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”

In the first reading we have the Lord saying to Joshua, “Today I have removed the reproach of Egypt from you.”  As we confess our sinfulness and ask God’s forgiveness, he removes our reproach.  How often do we ask for the forgiveness of our sins?  Do we go to confession regularly?  Even if we have not committed serious sins, the little sins can add up to blind us as to our behaviors.  Someone once called such “spiritual glaucoma”!  Without regular reflection on our spiritual life, we indeed can become blind to the sins we commit.  When we confess our sins we have the opportunity to again to receive (taste) the goodness of the Lord, as the Psalm tells us. 
Paul reinforces this in his letter.  We are called to be reconcilers for others with God in addition to ourselves.  We like Paul should say to all we know, “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

Someone once asked, “Which son was the prodigal one?  The one who repented and returned or the one who never left and felt he had no need of any repentance, thus was better than the other?  This Gospel recognizes that sometimes we only repent when we have hit the bottom of existence.  However, even if we have never had such dire circumstances in our lives, we make mistakes every day.  We judge others.  We mistreat others.  We are prideful.  We are greedy.  Which of us can say we are without sin?  During this Lenten season, perhaps we can look at ourselves more closely than we do at others.

We have in the first reading the calling of Moses. Here was a man who was a criminal in Egypt and had fled for his life. Yet God gave him a special mission. Do we base our paying attention to God’s word based upon who it is that is preaching? Do we discount the words of truth because we do not like what is said or the person who is delivering God’s word?
The second reading has Paul telling us to not grumble as some of the Israelites did. We have heard that pride goes before the fall, here be challenges us that whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall. How often are we known to grumble?  Are we as patient with others as we want them to be with us?
The people Jesus is talking to in the Gospel is pointing fingers at others and saying they were great sinners. Jesus reminds us that we need to keep our own house in order. Pointing fingers does not serve a positive ending. Jesus reminds us, if we do not repent, we will all perish. Let us during this Lenten season focus on keeping our own house in order before we worry about others’.

In the first reading we have God making a covenant with Abraham. He promised to make his decedents numerous even though he was childless. Abraham trusted that God would keep his word and God credited it to him as an act of righteousness. Do we trust in God completely? How often do we sing the Psalm that says, “Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble!”
The second reading has Paul criticizing the disciples in Philippi. On the outside they appear to be a vibrant church but points out that many conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ. If Paul were looking at our lives here in our County, what would he have to say about us?
The transfiguration reading in the Gospel provides us with a glimpse of the divine nature of Jesus. Here the author shows that Jesus stands firmly with the chief law giver and with the most prominent of the prophets. How often do we find excuses to not obey what has been handed down to us through the Church? Some people criticize the Church for not being up with the times. The Church is more concerned with faithfulness to God’s word that being popular or politically correct. How well do we know our Church’s teachings, and do we assent to them, even if we do not like or agree?

This first reading reminds us that it is God who chose us not we who chose God. Do we get uppity when we think we are “chosen” and others are not? We have no grounds for such. Like last week’s reading, none of us are worthy to be chosen. Humility is demanded of us all.
The second reading is sometimes taken out of context and interpreted to mean that once we call Jesus our lord and savior we are saved and guaranteed entry into heaven. This is an incorrect understanding of what Paul has been saying. ln Matthew it clearly states, “Just because you call me Lord does not mean you will enter the kingdom.” Let us pray for the grace of perseverance.
The Gospel replays the temptations of Jesus. Some people have an understanding of Jesus that is too lofty and seem to think Jesus never had difficulties or struggles. This gospel clearly shows that Jesus wrestled with temptations in the same way you and I do. When we face temptations, Let us be sure to ask Jesus to assist us in resisting just as he did.