God's Word is Alive

 We are called to stand in the gap for one another before God. Today's first reading (Ex 32:7-14) tells the story of Moses' intercession for his people who have apostasized by worshipping a golden calf while he is on Mt. Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments. Moses has been away forty days. The people are tired of waiting; they pressure Moses' brother Aaron, “ Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.” (Ex 32:1) Aaron gives in to their demands. The Israelites bring him the gold received as they departed from Egypt, it is melted down in a fire and cast in the form of a calf. God declares to Moses His intention to consume them in His wrath; Moses pleads for his people, reminding God of His promises to Abraham and his descendants, and the Lord relents. Such is the power of our intercession before God. He is near; He listens, and is moved by our pleas. David recounts this story in t...

 God tenderly loves His children with justice, mercy and compassion beyond measure. Today's first reading (Is 49:8-15) is directed to the Hebrews exiled in Babylon. They are discouraged; they probably have been tempted to believe their God was no more powerful than the idols worshipped by their Babylonian captors. Isaiah brings them a word of comfort from the Lord – a word of promise and great compassion from God: In a time of favor I answer you, on the day of salvation I help you; and I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people, to restore the land and allot the desolate heritages, saying to the prisoners: Come out! To those in darkness: Show yourselves! Along the ways they shall find pasture, on every bare height shall their pastures be. ...Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you. God will restore His people to their heritage promised to Abraham. Their flocks shall once aga...

 Grace and mercy abound when we invite Jesus into our lives. He restores what is paralyzed within us, to walk the path of abundant life as His disciples. Today's first reading (Ez 47: 1-9,12) is Ezekiel's vision of superabundant life-giving water flowing outward like a river from the Temple. The banks of this river are lined with trees producing fruit throughout the year and leaves for healing of the nations. The psalm response (Ps 46) proclaims that God is Israel's refuge and strength. It speaks of the “city of God” gladdened by a river (“stream” in this translation) flowing through its midst: There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High. God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed; God will help it at the break of dawn. The LORD of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob. Come! behold the deeds of the LORD, the astounding things he has wrought on earth. The river that gladdens God's people is the life-givi...

Today's readings are about a new creation. The first reading from Isaiah 65 speaks of “new heavens and a new earth.” Isaiah's nation has returned from seventy years of exile in Babylon. Isaiah speaks of restoration beyond anything his people can imagine. There will be joy in Jerusalem; people will live well beyond one hundred years, as they did in the time of Noah's descendants; they will again eat the fruit of vineyards now overgrown or destroyed. This is the language of re-creation and restoration, in which God's blessings will be poured out on a people who have been refined in the furnace of suffering – a people now faithful, obedient and ready to walk as His people and receive what God has promised all along. There is an eschatological (end-of-time) dimension to Isaiah's prophecy here as well. For Christians, this reading also points to the new heaven and new earth of Revelation Chapter 21 . Here the bride of Christ, with glorified bodies will reign with the t...

  Today's readings remind me of the words spoken as we receive ashes on our foreheads at the beginning of Lent: Repent and believe the Gospel. They are the heart of this holy season. The first reading is from the book of the prophet Hosea. (Hos 6:1-6) Hosea prophesied to the northern kingdom of Israel that had split off from the southern kingdom of Judah after King Solomon's apostasies. The king, priests and people had spiritually prostituted themselves away from the God of the Covenant. Two golden calves had been erected in the north to keep people worshipping there, rather than going south to the Jerusalem temple. They were sacrificing and paying homage to Baal and Astarte, gods of the Caananite tribes. Hosea has prophesied that Israel would be torn to pieces for their unfaithfulness until its inhabitants came to their senses and returned to God, their faithful Husband: “ Come, let us return to the LORD, it is he who has rent, but he will heal us; he has struck us, but he w...

God the Father, Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit prepared a role for each of us in Their Kingdom, before the foundation of the world. There are turning points in our lives when our “yes” seems to quicken our progress in God's Kingdom plans. Today's Solemnity of the Annunciation celebrates Mary's “yes” to God's plan for her life – to be Mother of the Messiah-Redeemer of the world. The first reading from the prophet Isaiah announces the Father's plan to bring Christ into the world through Mary:  “... the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us!” The psalm today (Ps 40) also prophesies about Christ. He would come in obedience to the Father's will, to announce the Good News and give His life for the salvation of the world: “ Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not; then said I, 'Be...

 The world rejects God's word in hardness of heart; God calls the world in Christ to a change of heart. Today's readings begin with the prophet Jeremiah's word from God to the people who  “have walked in the hardness of their evil hearts”  from the days of Moses, disobeying the messages of the prophets, including Jeremiah. Jeremiah is instructed to call out his people's rejection of God's word:  “ Say to them: This is the nation that does not listen to the voice of the LORD, its God, or take correction. Faithfulness has disappeared; the word itself is banished from their speech.” Psalm 95 is David's call to worship the Lord with joyful song and praise, and listen to God's voice as the flock He shepherds, without hardness of heart. The Gospel reading (Lk 11:14-23) tells how Jesus is accused of driving out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons. Our Lord calls out His accusers' lack of understanding – an evil kingdom divided against itself  cannot  stan...

Just a simple observation from today's readings: Our greatness as nations rests upon faithfulness to God's laws and commands. This is the promise Moses gives the Hebrew people before they enter the Promised Land (Dt 4:1,5-9): “ I teach you the statutes and decrees as the LORD, my God, has commanded me, that you may observe them in the land you are entering to occupy. Observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence  of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations, who will hear of all these statutes and say, ‘ This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.’ For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him?” In psalm 147, David calls his people to worship God, the Source of their security and blessings: “ Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion. For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; he has blessed your children within you. ” David proclaims Israel's chosen identity...

 Today's Scripture passages remind me that this is a time to pray for mercy. Our first reading (Dan 3:25,34-43) is the prayer of Azariah, one of Daniel's three companions. The four are servants to the King of Babylon. Their nation has been exiled for unfaithfulness to their covenant with God – through idolatry, corruption and injustice toward the poor. They have been conquered and taken away in chains. When Daniel and his companions refuse to worship the king's golden statue, they are thrown into a furnace to be burned alive. Azariah prays in the flames. He asks for mercy, reminding God of His promises to Abraham, and acknowledges his people's sin. Without Jerusalem's temple or altar, the only sacrifice Azariah can offer is a humbled and contrite heart: “ We have in our day no prince, prophet, or leader, no burnt offering, sacrifice, oblation, or incense, no place to offer first fruits, to find favor with you. But with contrite heart and humble spirit let us be rece...

A prophet's words are not welcomed by those with worldly hearts. Today's Scriptures show us what happens when prophecy meets worldliness. A worldly heart often wants to be impressed. It has a difficult time accepting greatness in the ordinary. In today's Gospel (Lk 4:24-30), Jesus has entered the synagogue at Nazareth where He grew up, and announced Himself as the fulfillment of Israel's messianic hopes. He has lived and laboured among the people as a humble carpenter. He has probably made yokes for their oxen, repaired their carts, worked on their furniture and agricultural tools. They know Him; He is Joseph's son. His life of holiness with Mary and Joseph has been hidden in humble day-to-day work and dealings with the community. When the people reject Him, He tells them they are no different from those who rejected the prophets and forced them to find acceptance with pagan foreigners. The people are infuriated; they drive Him out of town to do away with Him. The ...

Today's readings speak of two beloved sons: Joseph, son of Jacob and Jesus, Son of God the Father. Both are betrayed by their own, yet both are raised up to rule and reign. Their hardship pays the price for the life-saving, life-giving good of many. Joseph's story prefigures the story of Jesus, Who dies and is raised from the dead to give us access to the abundant riches of the Father's grace. In today's Gospel, Jesus reveals Himself as the fulfillment of Psalm 118's declaration:             “ The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;              by the Lord has this been done,  and it is wonderful in our eyes ” Lord Jesus, be the cornerstone of my life. You walked the path of betrayal, humiliation and death to purchase for me the gift of abundant life. Take my hand today and lead me in the power of Your Spirit to live as Your disciple in all things. Amen. Link to Readings:  https://bible....

  Today's readings urge us to trust God completely, to continually refresh our lives with the Scriptures, and to remember the poor. The first reading (Jer 17:5-10) tells us that, “Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the LORD.” This is the fate of our secularized culture, which excludes any reference to God from public discussion. Such cultures rise and fall throughout history. By their very nature, they cannot last. Psalm 1 reminds us that “the law of the Lord” - God's word – is water for our lives. When the Bible's principles are the foundation for a culture, that culture will bear abundant fruit. This is true for our personal lives as well. Today's Gospel (Lk 16:19-31) reminds us to share our blessings with the poor. In this way, we store up treasures in heaven for ourselves and shine with Christ's love before a secularized culture increasingly shaped and guided by fear. Have a blessed day....

The first reading (Jer 18:18-20) recounts the prophet Jeremiah's anguish at being persecuted by his own people. He has called them to repentance for their idolatry and prophesied destruction if they do not change their ways; the people despise him for it, and plot to use his words against him. Jeremiah turns to God: “ Heed me, O LORD, and listen to what my adversaries say. Must good be repaid with evil that they should dig a pit to take my life? Remember that I stood before you to speak in their behalf, to turn away your wrath from them.” In Psalm 31, David calls out to God in his persecution. He is the Lord's anointed, yet the object of condemnation by his own people: “ I hear the whispers of the crowd, that frighten me from every side, as they consult together against me, plotting to take my life. But my trust is in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” In your hands is my destiny; rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.” In today's Gospel, Jesus te...

Created and Redeemed for Humble Service.  This is the theme that emerges for me from today's readings. God's humble servants know who they are. They know they were created to give glory to their Creator; they develop and exercise their gifts and talents to honour God in loving service to others. A servant is part of a household. Servants who shift the focus from the household to themselves are misguided. They tend to misguide others by their words and example. They often surround themselves with like-minded, like-hearted individuals who support or share their misguided goals and aspirations. They tell themselves that these goals and aspirations are what other members of the household need. Much of what they do is about self-promotion, though on the surface, it may appear as leadership and service; it even may be justified in religious language or in terms of social responsibility. In this way, they gradually and subtly compromise the mission and purpose of the household. They c...

Today's readings remind me that everyone needs repentance. In the first reading (Dan 9:4b-10), the righteous young Daniel is repenting for the sins of his people. They have been taken from Jerusalem to live as captives, exiles and servants to the citizens of Babylon, and will remain there for seventy years. Daniel understands what has happened. The prophet Jeremiah warned Jerusalem this would take place if they did not change their ways. Everything God promised through Moses would come to pass: faithfulness to the Covenant would bring blessings; forsaking God's ways would bring disaster upon the nation, and so it did. The temptation in times of social decay is to blame someone besides ourselves for society's problems – to begin finger-pointing at other groups, to slander, insult, belittle and demonize. Daniel takes the righteous path; he repents and prays. Today's psalm response (Ps 79) provides us with a model for navigating with sincere repentance through times su...

Conversion of heart is the key to Kingdom living – this is the message I take away from today's readings. In the first reading, the prophet Ezekiel tells us that God takes no pleasure in the death of a wicked person. He desires to share His gift of eternal life with all His children. Those who lead a life of virtue will receive this gift; those who persist in wickedness or turn away from virtue for wicked pursuits will not. I believe God is grieved when His children die with hearts hardened to goodness and love. God wants so much more for us in this life, and in the next. A line in the psalm response (Ps 130) often comes to my mind: “ If you, O LORD, mark iniquities, LORD, who can stand? But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered.” God is good and forgiving; by His forgiveness through Christ, we stand justified and worship (“revere”) Him. All of us fail to live perfectly by the virtues we profess. All of us need conversion of heart. Accepting Christ Jesus as our Saviour ...

Today's readings remind me to always trust in God's goodness. We see this in the first reading's story of Queen Esther, who prostrates herself before God, imploring His intervention to save her people. ( Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25 ) Here's t he back story: Esther is a beautiful Jewish maiden selected from all the women in Persia to marry the country's king Ahasuerus. Esther is an orphan, brought up by her uncle Mordechai. Mordechai overhears a plot to kill the king and alerts Esther to save him. As a Jew, Mordecai has refused to bow to the king's first minister, Haman. Haman is infuriated, and convinces the king to kill all Jews in the land. Esther must intercede to save her people. Esther fasts and prays to God for the right words to change the king's heart and bring justice to her people's enemies. The king is moved by Esther's plea and revokes Haman's evil plan. Then, Mordechai is honoured before the people for saving the king's life, Haman...

I see two groups of persons contrasted in today's readings. In the first reading, (Jon 3:1-10) we find the repentant pagans of Nineveh responding to Jonah's warning of God's impending judgement with fasting, sack cloth and ashes. In the Gospel (Lk 11:29-32) we find the un repentant, un believing critics of Jesus. Between these two readings we find Psalm 51 – David's composition of heartfelt repentance. Which group do I identify with? You alone, Lord Jesus have the words of everlasting life. I lay my sins and failures before You today, confident in Your desire not to condemn, but to share with me Your gift of abundant life. Link to Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030922.cfm

Today's readings speak to me about trusting God. The first reading from Isaiah 55 (Is 55:10-11) tells us that God's word always achieves its purpose: “ It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.” Simply put, God does what He says He is going to do. We see this fully revealed in Jesus, the Word of God made flesh. Sent by the Father to redeem humanity from sin. Nothing prevented Him from going to the cross to accomplish this, and nothing could prevent Him from rising; nothing could stop His Spirit from descending on the early Church and spreading like wildfire through the centuries, though many have unsuccessfully tried. David composed the psalms about three hundred years before Isaiah began to prophesy. His words also acknowledge the triumph of God's word and will. Psalm 34 thus begins with a call to praise God for His faithfulness: “Glorify the LORD with me, let us together extol his name.” David then describes How God ha...

 Today's readings seem to me a response to the question, “What does holiness look like, and what is its reward?” In the first reading (Lev 19:1-2,11-18), God instructs Moses to tell the people, “Be holy for I the Lord your God am holy.” The Lord gives Moses a series of behaviours the people are to avoid as His holy people: stealing, lying, falsely swearing by God's Name, withholding labourer's wages at the end of a day, cursing the deaf, causing the blind to stumble, dishonesty or partiality in judgement, slander, failing to help a neighbour whose life is at steak, bearing hatred in the heart toward others, seeking revenge or holding a grudge. The reading ends with the command: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself. I am the Lord.” Good material for an examination of conscience during Lent or at any time. Psalm 19 is David's praise for God's law – not just the Ten Commandments, but the entire word of God he would have heard proclaimed, later known as the books ...

Do you remember your lowest point in life? Perhaps it was financial, illness-related, a time of under-employment, a relationship crisis, unbearable work conditions or the dead end of a poorly chosen path. Today's readings remind me of when I was at such points in my life. They remind me to live in gratitude for all God has done for me, reaching out to me at through the kindness of others, or with an inner word or prompting that He would get me through this or that. Memories of hardship can keep us compassionate toward others in similar situations, and from judging others' worthiness; they can help us, as the prophet Micah said, “to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with [our] God.” (Mic 6:8) In today's first reading (Is 58:9b-14), the Hebrew people are settling in after returning from exile. Unfortunately, they are also settling back into unkind, unjust, Godless ways that led them into exile in the first place. God in His mercy shows them their sin, and reminds the...

Today's readings contrast two different paths: the path of God's righteousness and blessing versus the path of wickedness and curse. The first reading is part of Moses' address to the Hebrew people preparing to leave the desert after forty years, to enter the promised land of Canaan. The land is occupied by enemy tribes that sacrifice animals and humans in worship to demons. (See Psalm 106:37; Baruch 4:7; 1Cor 10:20) These tribes have built cities, developed rich farms and vineyards in a fertile area that once belonged to the Hebrew nation led by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God is leading His people back, faithful to His promises. The Hebrews must choose – to serve either the God of blessing, life and prosperity or the Canaanite gods of curses and death: “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him.” Psalm 1 contrasts ...

Today's readings inaugurate the penitential season of Lent that prepares us to meet the Risen Christ at Easter. The core theme of this season is conversion of heart through repentance, prayer and almsgiving. The first reading from the prophet Joel (Jl 2:12-18) calls us to return to God with our “whole heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Weeping and mourning are sincere expressions of the heart. This is where God desires to meet us – in a personal loving encounter, heart to Heart each day. In the Gospel (Mt 6:1-6,16-18), Jesus calls us to see that our acts of faith are done for love of God, not for human praise or approval by others. “When you pray....when you fast... when you give alms...” – all are rewarded when done quietly, discreetly in love: Then, “your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” Psalm 51 is David's prayer of heartfelt repentance for his sins. David knows God loves a true heart: “Indeed, You love truth in the heart.” In his desire for a heart t...

Today's readings remind me that all good things point to Christ. His life, death and resurrection are the shining high point in history. All things were in preparation for His coming in the flesh and victory over sin on the cross; all things after Him find their true value in the light of His Gospel. In the first Reading, the Apostle Peter tells his readers how privileged they are as Christians. The prophets that preceded them prophesied in the Holy Spirit about the sufferings and glory of Christ, and the grace that would be poured out on His followers. Peter challenges them, “gird up the loins of your mind” - to understand their lives not as they once did before they knew Christ, but as God's blessed children, called to a life of holiness. They (we) are to take God's command through Moses: “Be holy as I am holy” as our own in Christ. Psalm 98 prophetically announces God's victory, justice and salvation through Christ. This is the work of the Holy Spirit, speaking a tho...