Tag: sin

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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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The Baptism of the Lord

complex drawing of Jesus and Moses as one person

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Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 OR Isaiah 55:1-11
Responsorial: Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10 OR Isaiah 12:2-6
Second Reading: Acts 10:34-38 OR 1 John 5:1-9
Gospel: Mark 1:7-11

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011021.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Hello and thank you for joining me for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes where we break open the Word.

Have you ever heard the golden rules of leadership? Lead by example and never ask someone to do something you’re not willing to do.

Today we celebrate the baptism of Jesus. John the Baptist told the people that one is coming and that he is not worthy even to untie his sandals. John, who is preaching in the desert, offers immersion in the water to cleanse people of their sins. Jesus does not have sin. And yet, Jesus comes to the river, and he submits himself to John.

Why?

Well, first, I think Jesus is telling Israel that John is on to something here. People lived the Law in a perfunctory way, checking off boxes on their annual to-do lists. But they weren’t living the Law. They weren’t living lives of faith rooted in God. So, John is calling people to repent and turn back to God.

In a way, we can look at sin and sinful patterns in our lives as a form of slavery or perhaps slavery to addictions. It’s easy to think of someone strung out or drunk, but there are many other examples of slavery to sinful patterns. Slavery to sin can lead people to do all sorts of strange things.

Take, for example, the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada, directed by David Frankel. In the movie, the editor-in-chief of Runway magazine, Miranda Priestly, played by Meryl Streep, learns of its owner’s plot to force her out. She makes a few calculated moves and sacrifices her closest and perhaps most productive employee, Nigel, to keep her job.

The Devil Wears Prada is a good quarantine-binging movie, so I won’t reveal any more details about it, but this is an example of what people might be willing to do to their co-workers to get ahead and stay on top. This movie also offers many excellent examples of what it means to be a slave to sinful patterns.

Of course, there are many other forms of slavery to sin in today’s culture than just to money and status. We could spend the better part of a day sharing examples of sinful patterns we’ve all encountered. But here’s the key takeaway. What is a slave? A slave keeps their head down. If we are slaves to sin, how can we recognize God in our lives and God’s grace all around us?

In the Gospel, Jesus goes into the river like Moses who parted the Red Sea and led the people safely through to the other side. Jesus, like Moses, leads us away from the slavery of sin to freedom. <1> Breaking sinful patterns in our lives can be a scary thing. But we are not alone. Jesus leads us by example. He goes first into the water, letting us know that it’s ok. We can do it too.

Once Jesus emerges from the water, the heavens tear open, the Spirit descends upon Jesus, and we read that God announces, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased,” (Mark 1:11). This amazing action anoints Jesus for his ministry. This moment marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. This is where it all starts. And after the resurrection and ascension, many people began to understand. But today, I think we are like those people John the Baptist preached to.

What do I mean? Well, why do people indulge in sinful and addictive patterns?

I suggest that people pursue what’s sinful and addictive because something is missing in their lives. People “nurse” themselves with something they think will fill the want in their lives. Perhaps the silver lining of the strange year 2020 in which so many self-isolated and social-distanced to combat COVID-19 is that we have the opportunity to evaluate our lives, our careers, and our actions.

Are we living the life we want to live? Are we living God’s call for our lives?

My brothers and sisters, I have good news! Just as God smiled on Jesus at baptism, so too does God smile at each of us when we’re baptized. Think about that just for a second. If you are baptized, God says to you, “You are my beloved.” Never doubt that you are worthy. Never doubt that you have a purpose. Never doubt that you are loved!

More good news: Jesus Christ came to this world to offer us a way out of sinful and destructive habits. But we need to take the first step. This start of the new year gives us an opportunity as individuals and as nations for discernment. Discernment helps us evaluate the good, the bad, and the ugly of our lives. Discernment gives us the opportunity to work on developing good habits that we call virtues in our lives. Discernment gives us the opportunity to identify and to reconcile our sins. Discernment gives us the opportunity to, with the help of God, reject destructive patterns in our lives and our nations.

How? We start with baptism. We bring our sins to reconciliation. We get ourselves to Mass, where the Word made flesh, and the Real Presence in the Eucharist nourishes us. And we go out into the world, letting everyone know there is a better way. We invite others to come back to church. And those who are not baptized, we invite them to get to know Jesus. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the light.

Homework! I ask you to reflect on the following two questions.
First, how am I taking advantage of my New Year’s resolutions to evaluate the way I’m living my life?
Second, what are some ways I can share the Good News of Jesus Christ with other people?

I think doing our homework will help us spread hope in these confusing times. 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.

A quick word to our podcast listeners. Please take a moment to rate and review deacon rudy’s notes on whichever platform you are using to listen to me right now. This helps other listeners find us, and I know you will help me do that! I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word. Peace!

Image Credit: Artist unknown. Jesus is the new Moses. JPG file.

References:
<1> George T. Montague, SM. Mark: A Popular Commentary on the Earliest Gospel (Steubenville, Ohio: Franciscan University Press, 1992), 15.

Bibliography/Suggested Reading:
1. Anderson, Kelly and Daniel Keating. James, First, Second, and Third John. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2017. Kindle.
2. Healy, Mary. The Gospel of Mark. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2008. Kindle.
3. Kurz, William S. SJ. Acts of the Apostles. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2013. Kindle.
4. Montague, George T. SM. Mark: A Popular Commentary on the Earliest Gospel. Steubenville, Ohio: Franciscan University Press, 1992.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God: 150-51
2. Jesus as the Christ: 436
3. Jesus anointed by the Spirit: 438, 486
4. John the Baptist: 523, 717-20
5. Baptism of Jesus: 535-37, 1223-25
6. Judge of the living and dead: 678-79
7. Water as type of the gift of the Spirit: 694
8. Baptism in water and the Spirit: 720
9. Salvation outside the Church: 776, 846-48
10. Blood and water as types of baptism and Eucharist: 1225
11. Descent of Spirit on Jesus: 1286

The Baptism of the Lord https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011021.cfm
Lectionary: 21

Reading 1
Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Thus says the LORD:
Here is my servant whom I uphold,
my chosen one with whom I am pleased,
upon whom I have put my spirit;
he shall bring forth justice to the nations,
not crying out, not shouting,
not making his voice heard in the street.
a bruised reed he shall not break,
and a smoldering wick he shall not quench,
until he establishes justice on the earth;
the coastlands will wait for his teaching.

I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice,
I have grasped you by the hand;
I formed you, and set you
as a covenant of the people,
a light for the nations,
to open the eyes of the blind,
to bring out prisoners from confinement,
and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

OR:

Isaiah 55:1-11

Thus says the LORD:
All you who are thirsty,
come to the water!
You who have no money,
come, receive grain and eat;
come, without paying and without cost,
drink wine and milk!
Why spend your money for what is not bread,
your wages for what fails to satisfy?
Heed me, and you shall eat well,
you shall delight in rich fare.
Come to me heedfully,
listen, that you may have life.
I will renew with you the everlasting covenant,
the benefits assured to David.
As I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander of nations,
so shall you summon a nation you knew not,

and nations that knew you not shall run to you,
because of the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, who has glorified you.

Seek the LORD while he may be found,
call him while he is near.
Let the scoundrel forsake his way,
and the wicked man his thoughts;
let him turn to the LORD for mercy;
to our God, who is generous in forgiving.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
As high as the heavens are above the earth
so high are my ways above your ways
and my thoughts above your thoughts.

For just as from the heavens
the rain and snow come down
and do not return there
till they have watered the earth,
making it fertile and fruitful,
giving seed to the one who sows
and bread to the one who eats,
so shall my word be
that goes forth from my mouth;
my word shall not return to me void,
but shall do my will,
achieving the end for which I sent it.

Responsorial
Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10
R. (11b) The Lord will bless his people with peace.
Give to the LORD, you sons of God,
give to the LORD glory and praise,
Give to the LORD the glory due his name;
adore the LORD in holy attire.
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters,
the LORD, over vast waters.
The voice of the LORD is mighty;
the voice of the LORD is majestic.
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
The God of glory thunders,
and in his temple all say, “Glory!”
The LORD is enthroned above the flood;
the LORD is enthroned as king forever.
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.

OR:

Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6

R. (3) You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Reading 2
Acts 10:34-38
Peter proceeded to speak to those gathered
in the house of Cornelius, saying:
“In truth, I see that God shows no partiality.
Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly
is acceptable to him.
You know the word that he sent to the Israelites
as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all,
what has happened all over Judea,
beginning in Galilee after the baptism
that John preached,
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
with the Holy Spirit and power.
He went about doing good
and healing all those oppressed by the devil,
for God was with him.”

OR:

1 John 5:1-9

Beloved:
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God,
and everyone who loves the Father
loves also the one begotten by him.
In this way we know that we love the children of God
when we love God and obey his commandments.
For the love of God is this,
that we keep his commandments.
And his commandments are not burdensome,
for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world.
And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.
Who indeed is the victor over the world
but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ,
not by water alone, but by water and blood.
The Spirit is the one who testifies,
and the Spirit is truth.
So there are three that testify,
the Spirit, the water, and the blood,
and the three are of one accord.
If we accept human testimony,
the testimony of God is surely greater.
Now the testimony of God is this,
that he has testified on behalf of his Son.

Alleluia
Cf. John 1:29
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
John saw Jesus approaching him, and said:
Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mark 1:7-11
This is what John the Baptist proclaimed:
“One mightier than I is coming after me.
I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water;
he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee
and was baptized in the Jordan by John.
On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open
and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.
And a voice came from the heavens,
“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Posted on

Third Sunday of Lent 2020

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Mass Readings

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First Reading: Exodus 17:3-7
Responsorial: Psalm 95
Second Reading: Romans 5:1-2, 5-8
Gospel: John 4:5-42

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/031520.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

I hope this message finds you in good health and strong in the Spirit! It seems like all we hear about is the Corona Virus. I’m recovering from a cold and I found myself having difficulty sorting through all the “official information” just to find an accurate list of the Corona Virus symptoms. There’s almost too much information and of course tons of misinformation out there. It’s almost overwhelming enough to join the Israelites fleeing Egypt yell, “Is the Lord in our midst or not?” (Exodus 17:7).

But my brothers and sisters, I have Good News! Jesus offers us Living Water – the outpouring of the Holy Spirit – the ultimate of the spiritual consolations. Unlike ordinary water which can never satisfy, Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that the water he offers will never leave her thirsty.

Now her first reaction is pretty ordinary, right? I mean, at first, she’s caught off guard by the presence of a Jew. The Jews and Samaritans accuse each other of defiling the faith, so, they don’t get along. Second, he is talking to her which was a big no-no back then. Men weren’t supposed to speak with women outside their family, especially without a chaperon. And third, she had snuck up to the well in the middle of the day and hadn’t planned on meeting anyone.

Usually, people would draw water in the morning and in the evening. She clearly didn’t want to interact with the women of the village, so when Jesus offers her water that never leaves her thirsty, she’s all in! The more socially awkward situations she could avoid, the better. So, Jesus has her attention. He asks her to come back with her husband. Aha! She knew there was going to be a catch!

She tells him she doesn’t have a husband. Jesus says she’s right, because she’s on her fifth husband! How does this stranger know about her? She’s blown away and assumes he’s some sort of prophet, but his words touch her. She comes to accept that he is the Messiah – the hope of the people. She goes to town and she tells everyone about him. They come quickly to see what the commotion is all about.

Who are her five husbands? We don’t know that anymore than we know her name. Some suggest that perhaps these “husbands” are symbolic for the things that distract her in life – maybe pleasure, comfort, wealth – you get the idea. Whatever the situation, remember she came to the well when she thought no one else would be around. Maybe she just didn’t want to hear the gossipers, or maybe she didn’t want to get picked on. But maybe, she was ashamed. Maybe the life she was leading was not the life she dreamed about when she was a child.

She was trying to stay under the radar. I wonder how many people try to hide themselves – maybe hide behind some intellectual bravado always ready with a sarcastic comeback. We don’t want anyone to see behind our walls. We can’t let anybody see who we really are. In the midst of this pandemic, it’s easy to feel alone and afraid – especially if you’re sick. Maybe you have a cold or the flu, but everybody around you stares when you cough. Or maybe you imagine them talking about you behind your back.

Whatever your circumstance, my brothers and sisters, that’s where Jesus finds us. He’s not afraid to show up at our “well” – the place we try to hide. He’s there with a smile and his love. You see, Jesus will never force himself on us, but he won’t leave us either.

This Lent in combination with the pandemic is a powerful time to turn our sin over to Jesus – those moments and failings we’re not proud of, to ask for reconciliation, to be cleansed and move on in the Spirit. Christ’s church is here ready to assist. I know that might sound complicated given the suspension of masses in some areas or limiting masses to smaller groups, but trust me, the Spirit is still working through Christ’s church.

Even if you can’t physically get to mass to receive the Eucharist, you can still recommit your life to Jesus Christ. By the way, just because you might not be able to get to mass doesn’t mean the Church gets a pass on the electric and water bills. Please, if you have the means, send your regular contribution to your parishes and maybe add a little extra for your parish social ministry to help your community reach out to those facing a particularly difficult challenge during this pandemic.

There are so many free resources to read the mass readings, listen to a reflection (like this podcast), and then invite the Holy Spirit to wash over you – to flood your life. We call it an Act of Spiritual Communion.

For your homework, I ask two things of you. First, please share this podcast with someone you know who might not be able to get to mass. Its wildly important help people feel connected the community. Second, I invite you to join me in an Act of Spiritual Communion and don’t forget to listen to All Things Catholic on Wednesday when we’ll unpack what Spiritual Communion is all about.

Pray with me, won’t you?

My Jesus,
I believe You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive the Eucharist,
I invite You to come into my heart.
I embrace You and unite myself to You.
Never permit me to be separated from you.
+Amen!

The Lord be with you. May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

References:

  1. Hahn, Scott W. and Curtis Mitch. Romans. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2017.
  2. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
  3. Martin, Francis and William M. Wright IV. The Gospel of John. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015.
  4. The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.

Catechism References: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

  1. Jesus’ human nature, 470-78
  2. God’s love manifest in the death of Christ, 604
  3. Reconciliation through the death of Christ, 613-14
  4. Justification through the death of Christ, 617, 1992
  5. Symbols of the Holy Spirit, 694
  6. The Holy Spirit, the living water, a gift of God, 694, 733-36, 1215, 1999, 2652
  7. Jesus reveals the Holy Spirit, 727-29
  8. Love is God’s gift and our response, 733, 2658
  9. Baptism, rebirth of water and Spirt, 1214-16, 1226-28
  10. The theological virtues, 1812-29, 1991
  11. God’s peace, 1829

Third Sunday of Lent
Lectionary: 28
Mass Readings http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/031520.cfm

First Reading
Exodus 17:3-7
In those days, in their thirst for water,
the people grumbled against Moses,
saying, “Why did you ever make us leave Egypt?
Was it just to have us die here of thirst
with our children and our livestock?”
So Moses cried out to the LORD,
“What shall I do with this people?
a little more and they will stone me!”
The LORD answered Moses,
“Go over there in front of the people,
along with some of the elders of Israel,
holding in your hand, as you go,
the staff with which you struck the river.
I will be standing there in front of you on the rock in Horeb.
Strike the rock, and the water will flow from it
for the people to drink.”
This Moses did, in the presence of the elders of Israel.
The place was called Massah and Meribah,
because the Israelites quarreled there
and tested the LORD, saying,
“Is the LORD in our midst or not?”

Responsorial
Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9.
R. (8) If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;
let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God,
and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
“Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as in the day of Massah in the desert,
Where your fathers tempted me;
they tested me though they had seen my works.”
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Second Reading
Romans 5:1-2, 5-8
Brothers and sisters:
Since we have been justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have gained access by faith
to this grace in which we stand,
and we boast in hope of the glory of God.

And hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
For Christ, while we were still helpless,
died at the appointed time for the ungodly.
Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person,
though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die.
But God proves his love for us
in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.

Verse Before The Gospel
John 4:42, 15
Lord, you are truly the Savior of the world;
give me living water, that I may never thirst again.

Gospel
John 4:5-42
Jesus came to a town of Samaria called Sychar,
near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.
Jacob’s well was there.
Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well.
It was about noon.

A woman of Samaria came to draw water.
Jesus said to her,
“Give me a drink.”
His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.
The Samaritan woman said to him,
“How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?”
—For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.—
Jesus answered and said to her,
“If you knew the gift of God
and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink, ‘
you would have asked him
and he would have given you living water.”
The woman said to him,
“Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep;
where then can you get this living water?
Are you greater than our father Jacob,
who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself
with his children and his flocks?”
Jesus answered and said to her,
“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again;
but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst;
the water I shall give will become in him
a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
The woman said to him,
“Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty
or have to keep coming here to draw water.”

Jesus said to her,
“Go call your husband and come back.”
The woman answered and said to him,
“I do not have a husband.”
Jesus answered her,
“You are right in saying, ‘I do not have a husband.’
For you have had five husbands,
and the one you have now is not your husband.
What you have said is true.”
The woman said to him,
“Sir, I can see that you are a prophet.
Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain;
but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.”
Jesus said to her,
“Believe me, woman, the hour is coming
when you will worship the Father
neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
You people worship what you do not understand;
we worship what we understand,
because salvation is from the Jews.
But the hour is coming, and is now here,
when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth;
and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him.
God is Spirit, and those who worship him
must worship in Spirit and truth.”
The woman said to him,
“I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Christ;
when he comes, he will tell us everything.”
Jesus said to her,
“I am he, the one speaking with you.”

At that moment his disciples returned,
and were amazed that he was talking with a woman,
but still no one said, “What are you looking for?”
or “Why are you talking with her?”
The woman left her water jar
and went into the town and said to the people,
“Come see a man who told me everything I have done.
Could he possibly be the Christ?”
They went out of the town and came to him.
Meanwhile, the disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat.”
But he said to them,
“I have food to eat of which you do not know.”
So the disciples said to one another,
“Could someone have brought him something to eat?”
Jesus said to them,
“My food is to do the will of the one who sent me
and to finish his work.
Do you not say, ‘In four months the harvest will be here’?
I tell you, look up and see the fields ripe for the harvest.
The reaper is already receiving payment
and gathering crops for eternal life,
so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together.
For here the saying is verified that ‘One sows and another reaps.’
I sent you to reap what you have not worked for;
others have done the work,
and you are sharing the fruits of their work.”

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.”
When the Samaritans came to him,
they invited him to stay with them;
and he stayed there two days.
Many more began to believe in him because of his word,
and they said to the woman,
“We no longer believe because of your word;
for we have heard for ourselves,
and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.”

or
Jn 4:5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42

Jesus came to a town of Samaria called Sychar,
near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.
Jacob’s well was there.
Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well.
It was about noon.

A woman of Samaria came to draw water.
Jesus said to her,
“Give me a drink.”
His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.
The Samaritan woman said to him,
“How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?”
—For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.—
Jesus answered and said to her,
“If you knew the gift of God
and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink, ‘
you would have asked him
and he would have given you living water.”
The woman said to him,
“Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep;
where then can you get this living water?
Are you greater than our father Jacob,
who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself
with his children and his flocks?”
Jesus answered and said to her,
“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again;
but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst;
the water I shall give will become in him
a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
The woman said to him,
“Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty
or have to keep coming here to draw water.

“I can see that you are a prophet.
Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain;
but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.”
Jesus said to her,
“Believe me, woman, the hour is coming
when you will worship the Father
neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
You people worship what you do not understand;
we worship what we understand,
because salvation is from the Jews.
But the hour is coming, and is now here,
when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth;
and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him.
God is Spirit, and those who worship him
must worship in Spirit and truth.”
The woman said to him,
“I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Christ;
when he comes, he will tell us everything.”
Jesus said to her,
“I am he, the one who is speaking with you.”

Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him.
When the Samaritans came to him,
they invited him to stay with them;
and he stayed there two days.
Many more began to believe in him because of his word,
and they said to the woman,
“We no longer believe because of your word;
for we have heard for ourselves,
and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.”