Thursday March 3/22

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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 two kinds of persons: On one hand, there is the one who delights in God's word (God's “law”). This person is contrasted with those who choose the way of wickedness, who “sit in the company of the insolent” (sometimes translated as “ ...company of scoffers”). The one who seeks to live by God's law is “like a tree planted by running waters” that “prospers” and “yields fruit in due season;” the one who chooses to live apart from God's law becomes “like chaff that the wind drives away. Blessing and curse.

The Gospel reading (Lk 9:22-25) describes what Jesus will do for His disciples to take back their promised land of heaven: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” To rule and reign with Christ Jesus, they – we – must be prepared to follow in His footsteps: “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it...” There is no other way forward into abundant life. Jesus is the way. His Gospel of love must become the narrative that governs our lives. It is the way of the cross, but also the way of blessing in this life and into the next.

God our Father, lead us forward through this blessed season of Lent in the power of Your Holy Spirit, to embrace the crosses You see fit to give us. Help us to choose life each day through prayer, sacrifice and sharing with those in need. May our encounter with You in the sacraments and “running water” of Your word nurture us to bear fruit pleasing to You “in due season.” For with You alone in Christ Jesus is found abundant life, and all gain apart from You is loss. All praise, honour and glory to You, Father of abundant blessings, Who live and reign with Christ Jesus in the unity of the Holy Spirit – one God forever and ever. I make this prayer in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Link to readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030322.cfm

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