1st Sunday of Lent

Our readings for the 1st Sunday of Lent are:

1. Genesis 9: 8-15
2. Psalms 25: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
3. 1 Peter 3: 18-22
4. Mark 1: 12-15

• Redemption can be more painful
• As a child I was often frustrated when I tried to build things and they did not turn out the way that I envisioned them to.  I never blamed my tools, materials, ...; I knew the fault was somehow with me.  The question was always between three alternatives: start over and hope that I had learned something from the past experience(s), try to salvage what I had done, give up on the project altogether (I always had plenty of others in mind).
• Does God cry?
• What do you think makes God mourn?
• Do you think that there is anything that you can do or say to comfort God in that mourning?
• Is it worth it to you?

• A covenant people
• A people can be defined by history, location, culture, common beliefs, and so many more things that hold them together.  We are first and foremost, a covenant people.
• How has God shown you His ways in your life?
• Why do you think that He has chosen to do it that way?
• Do you wish He were more direct with you?  Perhaps a well-timed e-mail?

• Celebrating your baptism
• Fr. Alidore mentioned in a homily lately that we faithfully celebrate birthdays, but hardly any of us celebrate the day of our baptism.
• Who would you invite to such a celebration?
• What might you sing for the occasion?
• Every liturgical celebration is both a source and a summit.  Source of strength for what is yet to come, a summit representing where our journey has led us.  How would you celebrate where you are when you celebrate your baptism day?
• How would such a celebration prepare you for what was to come?

• Waste no words
• The economy of language in Mark can take your breath away at times.  I imagine Jesus spending His time in the desert sharpening His focus, fine-tuning His mission, shedding everything that was not going to serve the mission His Father was putting before Him.
• Is there anything in your life that you wish you could shed, that would make it easier for you to follow closer to God?
• What have you prayed in that regard?
• What about that shedding are you afraid of?
• What of your fears have you prayed about?

• Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Where can I be a companion to Jesus?
2. What of my life do I need to give to God?
3. How is my baptism calling me today?
4. Is there clutter in my life?

The Old Priest

Weary of my sins, weary of their persistence,

Most of all, weary of my weakness,

I stood in line for the old priest, 

Hoping that he would offer absolution and wisdom.

I entered the sacramental space, leaving my expectations at the door.

Sat down with a sigh, turning to my confessor and companion.

He looked at me with eyes practiced in mercy and asked:

"What troubles you my son?"

Suddenly I could feel the presence of so many desperate sinners

Who had sojourned to this very room, this sacrament,

This shrine of grace along their pilgrimage, here, and everywhere.

And I knew that we were all one on the journey, the healing, the release.

I listed the sins that I had so carefully cataloged ahead of time.

The old priest smiled and waited.

The two of us embraced the silence, and out of that quiet I heard myself ask:

"Why do I never seem to learn?  Why does victory over my sin elude me?"

Silence laid its warm acceptance on my shoulder again.

Finally the old priest said: "we've shared much here together through the years.

I think you have some clues to your own questions.

You tell me."

"These sins, they remind me that I'm no better than those around me.

More, they teach me empathy for other weary souls.

They remind me what Jesus gave me victory over.

They remind me that my strength alone is never sufficient, but always required."

He replied: "for your penance, go and find someone else who struggles with some of the same.

Give them hope, compassion, love.

Let them know that they are not alone,

That all of us, those on both sides of eternity, pray for them."

I said: "but I cannot give absolution, no sacramental grace.

I have no stunning achievements of my own with which to inspire,

No gleaming example to set before them.

Just brokenness, and growing humility."

He smiled again, with a far off look in his eye and said:
"sometimes, shared brokenness and humility are more than enough.

In the sharing are we healed and heal.

And that is what our faith is all about."

Shalom!