Tag: almsgiving

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Fifth Sunday of Lent

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Reading 1: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Responsorial: Psalm 51:3-4, 12-15
Reading 2: Hebrews 5:7-9
Gospel: John 12:20-33

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032121-YearB.cfm https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

And so today we come to the fifth Sunday of Lent. Can you believe it? We’re two weeks away from Easter! I want to welcome everyone to another episode of deacon rudy’s notes! I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal, and together, we’re going to explore the readings for this weekend.

With two weeks to go, we’re practically in the home stretch of our Lenten season. Today is a great time to check-in on our Lenten journeys. Remember, our goal this Lenten season wasn’t to give up something trivial like a bit of chocolate. We wanted to dig deep and find out what’s getting in the way of our relationship with God. We wanted to identify patterns of sin and root causes of sin, like ingratitude, so that we could lay them at the foot of the cross and allow God to embrace us with His mercy and love.

And we’ve talked about a variety of things we could do to help us accomplish that goal. Maybe you used the traditional Lenten sacrifices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Perhaps you tried the examen, preferably daily. Maybe it was an examination of conscience, if not every day, then at least weekly. That’s also helpful as we prepare for the sacrament of reconciliation.

Maybe we’ve used this Lenten season to develop some better habits, like reading Scripture more frequently. We could link this to the sacrifice of prayer, so maybe you tried Lectio Divina or Ignatian contemplation. Or perhaps you’ve tried some other forms of contemplative prayer like centering prayer or Christian meditation. Prayer can be a sacrifice because we make time to pray during Lent that we don’t usually do throughout the year.

Perhaps you’ve used your Lenten journey to reflect on the gifts and the fruits of the Holy Spirit. What gifts do you have? Do you see the fruits of the Spirit in your life?

And maybe you’ve spent some time thinking about the virtues and which one you’d like to focus on developing this year? Remember, a virtue is basically an intentional good habit. We want to be more intentional or mindful of what we are doing.

So, how is your Lenten journey going? If it’s going well, that’s wonderful! If it’s not going so well, don’t worry! You still have two weeks of Lent to try something.

Why is all of this important?

Well, in today’s Gospel, Jesus explains why it’s important to tackle the root causes of sin. Jesus says, “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for enteral life” (John 12:25). Now, Jesus is not telling us we should hate our lives and hate the world around us. Our goal isn’t to become grumpy old people! What Jesus is talking about is spiritual detachment. <1>

Remember, we’ve discussed how easy it is to fall into the empty promises of this world. For example, in an earlier episode, we discussed the many forms of sloth. Perhaps without even realizing it, we’ve been living a life mired in sin! Like the happy pig who enjoys the muck, we might find ourselves enjoying sin a little too much.

Part of this message is to remind us that we want to be aware of and avoid being caught in a web of sin. I mean, at some level, we know better! Right? Like we heard in our first reading from Jeremiah, God placed the knowledge of right from wrong in our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33). We don’t want to get so attached to sin or to our material possessions that we can’t imagine life without them. Many things might bring us comfort and pleasure, but they’re not essential.

For example, I love coffee! I’m not a coffee snob per se, but I’m close. This is how I used to think about coffee. You know, back in the day when we all used to take trips on airplanes? The flight staff would say should the cabin lose pressure and an oxygen mask drop, that for your safety and the safety of those around you, place the mask over your mouth and nose first and then help those around you.

Well, I used to look at coffee the same way. For my safety and the safety of those around me, I needed to have at least one cup of coffee before anything else happened in the morning. I’m happy to report that after years of diet and exercise, both spiritual and healthy life choices, I don’t think of coffee that same way anymore. Don’t get me wrong – I still enjoy good coffee multiple times a day. But the quality of my day doesn’t hinge on a cup of coffee.

Now, there’s a risk of doing all this hard work of self-examination. If we pay too much attention to our sins sometimes, we get too focused on ourselves. That can lead to analysis paralysis or take us down a dark path. Our goal isn’t to weigh us down. Our goal is to know our sins so we can understand the depth of God’s mercy and love for us. But this process also helps us flourish. It helps us become the people God created us to be – to be the best version of ourselves.

This process helps us honor what Jesus says in the Gospel today, “Whoever serves me must follow me…” (John 12:26). Jesus’s radical detachment is a model for us. It’s Jesus’ radical self-giving love that glorifies God. So too, we are called to give of ourselves unselfishly in our relationships with one another – especially our families, to build up the Kingdom of God on earth and ease the pain and suffering of the poor.

Don’t worry! We still have some time, and that leads us to homework! Nourished by the Word of God and the Eucharist, I invite you to reflect on the following two questions. First, how have my Lenten sacrifices or devotions helped me identify the root causes of sin in my life? Second, what are some concrete things I can do over the next two weeks to better prepare myself for Easter?

Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May almighty God bless you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Thank you for joining me today. Silent Partner composed our theme music. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word. Peace!

Image Credit: Lent. Artist Unknown. JPG.

Notes: <1> Martin & Wright, The Gospel of John, 223.

Bibliography/Suggested Readings:
1. Healy, Mary. Hebrews. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2016. Kindle.
2. Martin, Francis and William M. Wright IV. The Gospel of John. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. The history of the covenants: 56-64, 220, 715, 762, 1965
2. Why the Word became flesh: 459
3. Christ gathers us into God’s kingdom: 541-42
4. Christ offers his life to the Father: 606-7
5. Jesus’ suffering in love: 609, 616-17
6. Agony in Gethsemane: 612
7. Our participation in Christ’s sacrifice: 618
8. Christ ascended in glory as our victory: 662, 2853
9. The Spirit glorifies the Son, the Son glorifies the Father: 690, 729
10. Jesus’ obedience: 1009, 2825
11. Order of Melchizedek: 1544
12. Jesus’ prayer for us: 2606, 2741
13. Deliver us from evil: 2850-54

Fifth Sunday of Lent https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032121-YearB.cfm
Year B
Lectionary: 35

Reading 1
Jeremiah 31:31-34
The days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel
and the house of Judah.
It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers
the day I took them by the hand
to lead them forth from the land of Egypt;
for they broke my covenant,
and I had to show myself their master, says the LORD.
But this is the covenant that I will make
with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD.
I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts;
I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
No longer will they have need to teach their friends and relatives
how to know the LORD.
All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the LORD,
for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more.

Responsorial
Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 14-15
R. (12a) Create a clean heart in me, O God.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners shall return to you.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.

Reading 2
Hebrews 5:7-9
In the days when Christ Jesus was in the flesh,
he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears
to the one who was able to save him from death,
and he was heard because of his reverence.
Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered;
and when he was made perfect,
he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

Verse Before the Gospel
John 12:26
Whoever serves me must follow me, says the Lord;
and where I am, there also will my servant be.

Gospel
John 12:20-33
Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast
came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee,
and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”
Philip went and told Andrew;
then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.
Jesus answered them,
“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,
it remains just a grain of wheat;
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it,
and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me,
and where I am, there also will my servant be.
The Father will honor whoever serves me.

“I am troubled now. Yet what should I say?
‘Father, save me from this hour’?
But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour.
Father, glorify your name.”
Then a voice came from heaven,
“I have glorified it and will glorify it again.”
The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder;
but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”
Jesus answered and said,
“This voice did not come for my sake but for yours.
Now is the time of judgment on this world;
now the ruler of this world will be driven out.
And when I am lifted up from the earth,
I will draw everyone to myself.”
He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.

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Fourth Sunday of Lent

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Mass readings

Reading 1: 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23
Responsorial: Psalm 137:1-6
Reading 2: Ephesians 2:4-10
Gospel: John 3:14-21

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031421-YearB.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Welcome to another episode of deacon rudy’s notes! I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal, and together, we’re going to explore the readings for this weekend. Let’s get started!

Over these past weeks, our readings walked us through salvation history, beginning with Noah, then Abraham, and last week, the ten commandments. This week we learn that God allowed the Temple’s destruction to send a wake-up call to the people. Even our responsorial psalm tells the story of the Babylonian captivity. Why did this happen?

Scripture tells us that the people so relished the luxuries and pleasures of the world – undoubtedly many of the same sorts of treasures that Satan used in the desert to tempt Jesus. It worked on the people, and they forgot about God altogether. So, he allowed their world to collapse. But God’s mercy is limitless, and today we hear that God called his people back together. He even placed the responsibility of rebuilding the Temple in the hands of a pagan king.

It’s a great story. But we know how it turned out. It didn’t take long for the people to reduce God to a function – merely a checkbox on someone’s holy roller card. Once again, they didn’t get it. So, God sent His only son to lead the people out of the darkness and into the light.

Today’s Gospel which picks up right after the Temple’s cleansing that we heard about last weekend, gives us some insight. Now, a pharisee named Nicodemus visits Jesus at night. Why at night, I wonder? Was he trying to catch Jesus off-guard at the end of a busy day? Or is he beginning to realize that Jesus might be the messiah they’ve been waiting for?

Of course, we know that Nicodemus defended Jesus before the Sanhedrin (John 7:50-51). After bringing embalming spices, he helps Joseph of Arimathea take Jesus down from the cross and prepare his body for burial (John 19:39-42). But in today’s reading, Nicodemus came in the night.

There is this interesting exchange between Nicodemus and Jesus. Jesus says to him just a few verses earlier than we have in our Gospel reading today, “You just don’t get it” (John 3:10).

He first tells him, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (John 3:14). Now, why did Moses lift up the serpent according to Numbers (21:9)? To heal the people who suffered from the poison of snake bites. So, Jesus, in comparing Moses to what will happen at the crucifixion, tells us that Jesus will heal all of us across time.

Then Jesus says one of the most often quoted lines in Scripture: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son (John 3:16). Now, this is a vitally important point! Out of God’s love for us, God gave us His son. Jesus is Gift.

Recall that Jesus says to the woman at the well, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is who is speaking to you…” (John 4:10). As the theologian Sandra M. Schneiders writes, “God is love expressed in the Gift who is Jesus.” <1>

Jesus goes on to say, “that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light because their works were evil” (John 3:19). What are these works of evil? Well, we could spend a lot of time talking about the seven deadly sins, for example, but we’re only going to touch on one of them right now: sloth.

Now, when we hear the word “sloth,” we might think of laziness. But actually, laziness is a symptom of the disease. Sloth means rejecting God’s concrete gifts to us as individuals. And that manifests in a variety of ways in our culture today.

Yes, a lazy person might be someone who wakes up late, doesn’t make their bed, and spends the whole day watching shows or gamming.

But sloth could also manifest as the “busy” person who gets to work on time and is busy all day long, but the same pile of work that greeted you in the morning is still on your desk when you leave for the day. This busyness masks laziness.

Sloth could also be the workaholic who loves working ten-hour days, six days a week, and even appreciates their income. The married workaholic ignores the gift of their spouse and children. The unmarried workaholic ignores the gift of their friends, family, and the world around them.

A teenager might demonstrate musical talent, but they refuse to practice. Why? Because they don’t believe they could be the best. They doubt they’ll make first chair or be the top of the class. If they can’t execute their talent perfectly, then why try? Perfectionism which might prevent us from embracing our gifts, is a form of sloth.

Maybe a college student is wildly intelligent. But perhaps this student doubts themselves. So, they choose to hide their intelligence or, worse, ignore it. Ignoring or neglecting God’s gift is sloth.

I’ve even heard people say to me that they don’t pray very well. Maybe their doubt prevents them from devoting more time to prayer. People really don’t like to look or feel silly, so a person who thinks they can’t pray neglects it. This person doubts the Holy Spirit’s gifts of faith, hope, and even time. This, too, is sloth. <2>

Sloth is a deadly sin because it causes us to reject the concrete gifts God gave each one of us. And the root of this deadly sin is ingratitude. Now, we’re getting to the kicker. St. Ignatius once wrote that at the heart of all sin is ingratitude. What are we ungrateful for? God’s gifts. So, we plot our own course. “We can do better than that” is undoubtedly the motto we use to encourage us forward. That’s what Jesus means when he says we prefer darkness to light (John 3:19) – our own course to God’s plan.

In today’s Gospel, we find that the God who is love gave us the gift of Jesus. Out of ingratitude, what was the response to God’s Gift? We murdered Jesus. Again, Sandra Schneiders tells us that when we take the “Gift of God” and murder Him, we “manifest the true nature of the sin of the world,’ that is, the rejection of the God who is love.” <3>

As we move through Lent toward Easter, we need to use our Lenten sacrifices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to help us identify examples of when we might reject the gifts and talents God gave us as individuals. Perhaps, with the help of the sacraments, especially reconciliation and a spiritual director’s help, we could try to identify root causes of ingratitude in our lives.

Homework! Nourished by the Word of God and the Eucharist, I invite you to reflect on the following two questions.
First, given the examples of sloth discussed, are there any examples in my life where I don’t fully appreciate the gifts God gave me?
Second, how can I use my Lenten sacrifices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving or spiritual exercises like the daily examen or an examination of conscience to understand examples of ingratitude in my life?

Doing our homework can help disciples use our gifts and talents to build up the Kingdom of God. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May almighty God bless you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Thank you for joining me today. Silent Partner composed our theme music. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word. Peace!

Image Credit: Lent. Artist Unknown. JPG.

Notes:
<1> Sandra M. Schneiders, Jesus Risen in Our Midst: Essays on the Resurrection of Jesus in the Fourth Gospel (Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 2013), 225, Kindle.
<2> These examples of sloth come from Joseph A. Tetlow, SJ and Carol Atwell Ackels, Finding Christ in the World: A Twelve Week Ignatian Retreat in Everyday Life (Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts: The Institute of Jesuit Sources, 2017), 102.
<3> Schneiders, 226.

Bibliography/Suggested Readings:
1. Martin, Francis and William M. Wright IV. The Gospel of John. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015. Kindle.
2. Schneiders, Sandra M. Jesus Risen in Our Midst: Essays on the Resurrection of Jesus in the Fourth Gospel. Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 2013. Kindle.
3. Tetlow, Joseph A. SJ and Carol Atwell Ackels. Finding Christ in the World: A Twelve Week Ignatian Retreat in Everyday Life. Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts: The Institute of Jesuit Sources, 2017.
4. Williamson, Peter S. Ephesians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2009. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. God wants to give man eternal life: 55
2. Faith as a grace: 153
3. Christ as Savior: 389, 457-58, 846, 1019, 1507
4. God takes the initiative to love us: 604-5
5. Christ the Lord of eternal life: 679
6. Name of the Holy Spirit: 691
7. Israel’s exile foreshadowed the Passion: 710
8. Baptism: 1214-16
9. Baptism makes us a new creature: 1265-66
10. Necessity of works: 1815
11. Divinization: 1988, 1996
12. Graces and charisms: 2003
13. All our merit from Christ: 2006-11
14. Seated with Christ in the heavens, 2796

Fourth Sunday of Lent https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031421-YearB.cfm
Year B
Lectionary: 32

Reading 1
2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23
In those days, all the princes of Judah, the priests, and the people
added infidelity to infidelity,
practicing all the abominations of the nations
and polluting the LORD’s temple
which he had consecrated in Jerusalem.

Early and often did the LORD, the God of their fathers,
send his messengers to them,
for he had compassion on his people and his dwelling place.
But they mocked the messengers of God,
despised his warnings, and scoffed at his prophets,
until the anger of the LORD against his people was so inflamed
that there was no remedy.
Their enemies burnt the house of God,
tore down the walls of Jerusalem,
set all its palaces afire,
and destroyed all its precious objects.
Those who escaped the sword were carried captive to Babylon,
where they became servants of the king of the Chaldeans and his sons
until the kingdom of the Persians came to power.
All this was to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah:
“Until the land has retrieved its lost sabbaths,
during all the time it lies waste it shall have rest
while seventy years are fulfilled.”

In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia,
in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah,
the LORD inspired King Cyrus of Persia
to issue this proclamation throughout his kingdom,
both by word of mouth and in writing:
“Thus says Cyrus, king of Persia:
All the kingdoms of the earth
the LORD, the God of heaven, has given to me,
and he has also charged me to build him a house
in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
Whoever, therefore, among you belongs to any part of his people,
let him go up, and may his God be with him!”

Responsorial
Psalm 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6
R. (6ab) Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!
By the streams of Babylon
we sat and wept
when we remembered Zion.
On the aspens of that land
we hung up our harps.
R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!
For there our captors asked of us
the lyrics of our songs,
And our despoilers urged us to be joyous:
“Sing for us the songs of Zion!”
R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!
How could we sing a song of the LORD
in a foreign land?
If I forget you, Jerusalem,
may my right hand be forgotten!
R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!
May my tongue cleave to my palate
if I remember you not,
If I place not Jerusalem
ahead of my joy.
R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!

Reading 2
Ephesians 2:4-10
Brothers and sisters:
God, who is rich in mercy,
because of the great love he had for us,
even when we were dead in our transgressions,
brought us to life with Christ — by grace you have been saved —,
raised us up with him,
and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,
that in the ages to come
He might show the immeasurable riches of his grace
in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and this is not from you; it is the gift of God;
it is not from works, so no one may boast.
For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works
that God has prepared in advance,
that we should live in them

Verse Before the Gospel
John 3:16
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.

Gospel
John 3:14-21
Jesus said to Nicodemus:
“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,
so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,
but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,
because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
And this is the verdict,
that the light came into the world,
but people preferred darkness to light,
because their works were evil.
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light
and does not come toward the light,
so that his works might not be exposed.
But whoever lives the truth comes to the light,
so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

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Third Sunday of Lent

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Mass readings

Reading 1: Exodus 20:1-17 or Exodus 20:1-3, 7-8, 12-17
Responsorial: Psalm 19:8-11
Reading 2: 1 Corinthians 1:22-25
Gospel: John 2:13-25

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030721-YearB.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Hello! I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Thank you for joining me on deacon rudy’s notes where every weekend we break open the Word.

Today the Church gives us two sets of readings: one for the Scrutinies for those in RCIA preparing to enter the Church, and the other for the third Sunday of Lent. This homily is based on the readings for third Sunday of Lent.

The readings for this weekend are interesting. Our first reading from Exodus describes the ten commandments. Paul tells us that the cross is a stumbling block for Jews and foolishness for the Gentiles (1 Corinthians 1:23). And in the Gospel, Jesus takes a whip and drives out the money changers from the temple area. What is going on? Let’s jump right in!

First, we hear about the Law. Now, laws and rules are good. In fact, having rules is liberating!
Why? The rules mark the boundaries for us, so that we can be free within those boundaries. We know what to expect. Why? Well, look at the rules for a homeowner’s association, for example. The rules give us some predictability. We know what we can and can’t do, and equally important we know what our neighbors can and can’t do. The rules create a framework for getting along.

Are there any risks? Yes. One of the risks is that we turn into a busybody trying to catch our neighbors when they misstep. Maybe we even walk around with a clipboard and a copy of the homeowner association tenets to literally check to see if our neighbors are complying with the rules. The busybody describes someone who approaches the rules with a checkbox mentality. I would argue they are “doing” without a purpose even though they might be following the letter of the rules.

What do I mean?

For example, let’s say you brought your trashcans in 30-minutes late, or part of your trashcan is not fully obscured by the fence and can be seen from the street. The busybody complains. The property manager sends you a warning or perhaps a fine. Yes, you technically broke a rule, but does your infraction undermine property values or threaten the neighborhood? Rigidly following and enforcing rules can totally miss the point of having rules which is to live in peace and harmony with your neighbors.

I think that’s what’s going on in today’s Gospel reading. First, John places Jesus’ visit to the Temple at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Why? To emphasize that “The Father is the source of Jesus’ authority and his mission of salvation”. <1>

What does Jesus find at the Temple? Well, it’s Passover, so there are many Jews visiting from out of town. Scholars suggest there could be thousands of foreigners in town. But secular money cannot be used at the Temple to buy sacrifices and make offerings. The money had to be exchanged for Temple money. The Temple probably looked like any marketplace – packed and busy! What does Jesus do? Jesus grabs a whip and chases the moneychangers out of the Temple!

The Jews wondered who Jesus thought he was. Was he a prophet?

Now, look at it from the side of the Jews. The Jews – at least the leaders – projected an image of totally honoring and following the Law of Moses. They had a sort of checkbox mentality to the Law. We heard examples of this recently. Why do the disciples pick grain on the Sabbath? Why do the disciples not fast? Why do the disciples not wash like an observant Jew? These are examples of a checkbox mentality to the Law instead of living in the spirit of the Law.

In confronting Jesus, the Jews demanded a sign. Now, Jesus knew what they wanted, but instead, Jesus tells them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). The Jews scoff at that idea because they don’t understand what he is saying. They don’t recognize the prophecies that the Messiah would come to cleanse and purify the Temple (Malachi 3:1-4) and drive out the merchants (Zechariah 14:21). The Jews wanted to be dazzled, but is that really conversion? That’s why Jesus hid himself or removed himself from the situation. <2>

Even if Jesus had explained himself more clearly, it’s doubtful the Jews would understand. His own disciples don’t understand! In last weekend’s readings about the transfiguration, Peter, James and John didn’t understand what Jesus meant about his death and resurrection. And why?

Paul tells us that the cross is a stumbling block for the Jews (1 Corinthians 1:23), and he also tells us that the Gentiles don’t understand. They value education and wisdom above everything. How can ending a career in a public execution be considered a success? It’s foolishness to them (1 Corinthians 1:23).

Now, it’s easy for us sitting comfortably in our homes to think how silly the Jews and Gentiles were. But what are our stumbling blocks? Do we see the crucifixion as transformational event leading us to worship in Spirit and truth as the Gospel tells us (John 4:24)? Do we as Christians live our lives any differently than any other people around us?

What are our stumbling blocks? The world tells us that because we work so hard and lead such busy lives that we are entitled to a little self-indulgence. Yet St. Paul warns us in Galatians that the works of self-indulgence work against the Spirit. Paul’s list includes immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, and factions (Galatians 5: 19-20).

Now, you might say to yourself, “Whew! I’m good!” And yet, our world suffers from all sorts of addictions like pornography often sustained by human trafficking, greed, busyness which distracts us from the world around us, people still use Ouija boards, tarot cards and horoscopes, and people even adopt conspiracy theories inspiring vigilante action, like the insurrection at the U.S. capitol. At the root of these vices is deciding for yourself what is good and evil. We can trick ourselves into thinking we’re happy, but deep down we know something is missing. Our distractions can keep us from allowing the crucifix to transform our lives.

My brothers and sisters, I have good news! Jesus is the new temple! God came into our world. Jesus offered his life – he is the sacrifice offered to heal our broken and sinful world. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome our modern-day stumbling blocks and join together not as rivals, but in peace! Our Lenten sacrifices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving can help us recognize stumbling blocks and transform our lives!

Homework! Nourished by the Word of God and the Eucharist, I invite you to reflect on the following two questions. First, what are some of my stumbling blocks? Second, how can I use my Lenten sacrifices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving to live a life in Christ Jesus?

Doing our homework can help us live as undistracted disciples so that we can spread the message of hope to everyone we encounter. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May almighty God bless you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Thank you for joining me today. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word. Peace!

Image Credit: Lent. Artist Unknown. JPG.

Notes:
<1> Francis Martin and William M. Wright, IV, The Gospel of John, Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015), 65, Kindle.
<2> George T. Montague, First Corinthians, Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011), chap. “Cliques and the Cross (1 Cor 1),” sec. “The Gospel, Divine Paradox,” Kindle. Also, see Martin and Wright, 66.

Bibliography/Suggested Readings:
1. Martin, Francis and William M. Wright IV. The Gospel of John. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015. Kindle.
2. Montague, George T, SM. First Corinthians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Christ’s power revealed in the Cross: 272, 550, 853
2. Jesus and the Law: 459, 577-82
3. Jesus and the Temple: 583-86
4. Temple prefigures Christ; he is the Temple: 593, 583-86
5. Jesus’ death on the cross: 619-23
6. Holy Spirit prepares for Christ: 1093-98
7. The New Law completes the Old: 1967-68

Third Sunday of Lent https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030721-YearB.cfm
Lectionary: 29

Reading 1
Exodus 20:1-17
In those days, God delivered all these commandments:
“I, the LORD, am your God,
who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery.
You shall not have other gods besides me.
You shall not carve idols for yourselves
in the shape of anything in the sky above
or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth;
you shall not bow down before them or worship them.
For I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God,
inflicting punishment for their fathers’ wickedness
on the children of those who hate me,
down to the third and fourth generation;
but bestowing mercy down to the thousandth generation
on the children of those who love me and keep my commandments.

“You shall not take the name of the LORD, your God, in vain.
For the LORD will not leave unpunished
the one who takes his name in vain.

“Remember to keep holy the sabbath day.
Six days you may labor and do all your work,
but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD, your God.
No work may be done then either by you, or your son or daughter,
or your male or female slave, or your beast,
or by the alien who lives with you.
In six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth,
the sea and all that is in them;
but on the seventh day he rested.
That is why the LORD has blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.

“Honor your father and your mother,
that you may have a long life in the land
which the LORD, your God, is giving you.
You shall not kill.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife,
nor his male or female slave, nor his ox or ass,
nor anything else that belongs to him.”

OR:

Exodus 20:1-3, 7-8, 12-17
In those days, God delivered all these commandments:
“I, the LORD am your God,
who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery.
You shall not have other gods besides me.

“You shall not take the name of the LORD, your God, in vain.
For the LORD will not leave unpunished
the one who takes his name in vain.

“Remember to keep holy the sabbath day.
Honor your father and your mother,
that you may have a long life in the land
which the Lord, your God, is giving you.
You shall not kill.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife,
nor his male or female slave, nor his ox or ass,
nor anything else that belongs to him.”

Responsorial
Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11
R. (John 6:68c) Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

Reading 2
1 Corinthians 1:22-25
Brothers and sisters:
Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,
but we proclaim Christ crucified,
a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike,
Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,
and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Verse Before the Gospel
John 3:16
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.

Gospel
John 2:13-25
Since the Passover of the Jews was near,
Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves,
as well as the money changers seated there.
He made a whip out of cords
and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen,
and spilled the coins of the money changers
and overturned their tables,
and to those who sold doves he said,
“Take these out of here,
and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.”
His disciples recalled the words of Scripture,
Zeal for your house will consume me.
At this the Jews answered and said to him,
“What sign can you show us for doing this?”
Jesus answered and said to them,
“Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”
The Jews said,
“This temple has been under construction for forty-six years,
and you will raise it up in three days?”
But he was speaking about the temple of his body.
Therefore, when he was raised from the dead,
his disciples remembered that he had said this,
and they came to believe the Scripture
and the word Jesus had spoken.

While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,
many began to believe in his name
when they saw the signs he was doing.
But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all,
and did not need anyone to testify about human nature.
He himself understood it well.