One Walk

Today’s a long one, but a good one to get our minds focused on Easter and what it should mean to us and cause in us.

Dear Lord God, while I struggle during this Lenten Season with whether I am making the progress I had hoped for or thought of, each daily reading and reflection has taught me or opened my mind to other aspects of Lent beyond myself that I must consider, for example sacrificing, doing for others not just myself. Today marks the start of Passiontide, the last two weeks of Lent, when the readings and prayers of the liturgy focus on the Passion of Our Lord; the events of Jesus’ suffering and death. For several years now the Cross and Jesus’ passion has moved me to a greater love for Him and His Church; a desire for His Word, knowledge of historical events within the Church and an understanding of human nature and behavior within the Christian life, how we ‘walk’ under the ‘sun’. So as with many days, today’s powerful readings and reflection focus my thoughts and reminds me of what I must be on guard of within my self, and learn to understand, accept and forgive in others, loving them in spite these same weaknesses that plaque me; just as Jesus’ forgave on the Cross. And that has St. Paul teaches, ‘I too, count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I will suffer what is God’s will, even the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having any righteousness of my own, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith; that I may know Him and the power of his resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in his death, that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have or can obtained this on my own; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. I try not consider that I cannot make it my on own; but to try and think on one thing I do, forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.’ So I pray today’s Lenten Prayer, the Prayer to be Freed of the Seven Deadly Sins:

O meek Savior and Prince of Peace, implant in me the virtues of gentleness and patience. Let me curb the fury of anger and restrain all resentment and impatience so as to overcome evil with good, attain your peace, and rejoice in your love.

O Model of humility, divest me of all pride and arrogance. Let me acknowledge my weakness and sinfulness, so that I may bear mockery and contempt for your sake and esteem myself as lowly in your sight.

O Teacher of abstinence, help me to serve you rather than our appetites. Keep me from gluttony – the inordinate love of food and drink and let me hunger and thirst for your justice.

O Lover of purity, remove all lust from my heart, so that I may serve you with a pure mind and a chaste body.

O Father of the poor, help me to avoid all covetousness for earthly goods and give me a love for heavenly things. Inspire me to give to the needy, just as you gave your life that I might inherit eternal treasures.

O Exemplar of love, keep me from all envy and ill-will. Let the grace of your love dwell in me that I may rejoice in the happiness of others and bewail their adversities.

O zealous Lover of souls, keep me from all sloth of mind or body. Inspire me with zeal for your glory, so that I may do all things for you and in you.

O Heavenly Father, my Lord God, help us keep in mind that Christ our Savior lives with you in glory and promised to remain with us until the end of time. For the sake of His sorrowful passion have mercy on us and on the whole world. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

When we contemplate the blessings of faith even now, as if gazing at a reflection in a mirror, it is as if we already possessed the wonderful things which our faith assures us we shall one day enjoy.

— St. Basil, De Spiritu Sancto

Isaiah 43:16-21

16 Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, 17 who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: 18 "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. 20 The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, 21 the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.

Bible Study: [18] No need to think solely of the past wonders of the exodus from Egypt; equally great is the exodus from Babylon.

Psalm 126:1-6

1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." 3 The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad. 4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the watercourses in the Negeb! 5 May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy! 6 He that goes forth weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

Bile Study: [Psalm 126] A lament probably sung shortly after Israel’s return from exile. The people rejoice that they are in Zion (Psalm 126:1-3) but mere presence in the holy city is not enough; they must pray for the prosperity and the fertility of the land (Psalm 126:4). The last verses are probably an oracle of promise: the painful work of sowing will be crowned with life (Psalm 126:5-6).

Philippians 3:8-14

8 Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, based on law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith; 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Bible Study: [2-21] An abrupt change in content and tone, either because Paul at this point responds to disturbing news he has just heard about a threat to the faith of the Philippians in the form of false teachers, or because part of another Pauline letter was inserted here; see Introduction. The chapter describes these teachers in strong terms as dogs. The persons meant are evidently different from the rival preachers of Philippians 1:14-18 and the opponents of Philippians 1:28. Since Philippians 3:2-4 emphasize Jewish terms like circumcision (Philippians 3:2-3, 5), some relate them to the "Judaizers" of the Letter to the Galatians. Other phrases make them appear more like the false teachers of 2 Cor 11:12-15, the evil-workers. The latter part of the chapter depicts the many who are enemies of Christ’s cross in terms that may sound more Gentile or even "gnostic" than Jewish (Philippians 3:18-19). Accordingly, some see two groups of false teachers in Phil 3, others one group characterized by a claim of having attained "perfect maturity" (Philippians 3:12-15).[2-11] Paul sets forth the Christian claim, especially using personal, autobiographical terms that are appropriate to the situation. He presents his own experience in coming to know Christ Jesus in terms of righteousness or justification (cf Romans 1:16-17; 3:21-5:11; Gal 2:5-11), contrasting the righteousness from God through faith and that of one’s own based on the law as two exclusive ways of pleasing God.[12-16] To be taken possession of by Christ does not mean that one has already arrived at perfect spiritual maturity. Paul and the Philippians instead press on, trusting in God.

John 8:1-11

1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple; all the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such. What do you say about her?" 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." 8 And once more he bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the eldest, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus looked up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" 11 She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again."

Bible Study: [1] Mount of Olives: not mentioned elsewhere in the gospel tradition outside of passion week. [5] Lev 20:10 and Deut 22:22 mention only death, but Deut 22:23-24 prescribes stoning for a betrothed virgin. [6] Cf Jeremiah 17:13 (RSV): "Those who turn away from thee shall be written in the earth, for they have forsaken the , the fountain of living water"; cf John 7:38. [7] The first stones were to be thrown by the witnesses (Deut 17:7).

/      raangulo

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Dear Lord God, today You explain the secret that we must contemplate and consider; that is that through Jesus’ and His Word that You reveal the mystery of Your Fatherly love for us, Your true calling for us and Your will us; that is to be fully human, free to chose. From the beginning You have given us this freedom to chose, to listen and to obey; through Jesus You give us an example for us to follow, through Jesus You reveal humanity to itself and our high calling, that is us to be fully human, to freely embrace Your love and to respond to what You ask of us; to take up our mat and walk by heeding You call with love for one another, expressed in acts of charity and forgiveness, in works of mercy. Through Jesus’ Word You provide us with what we need for our walk, You feed us, You provide rest, You give us peace; in Jesus we find healing of the body, mind and soul. O Lord heal me, save me from myself, have mercy on me, use these Words and this time to mold me into Your image, to continue the work we have begun in me and through me. In Jesus name I  pray, Amen.

The first stage of contemplation, dear brothers, is constantly to consider what God wants, what is pleasing to him, and what is acceptable in his eyes. We all offend in many things; our strengths cannot match the rectitude of God’s will, being neither one with it nor wholly in accord with it; let us then humble ourselves under the powerful hand of the most high God and be concerned to show ourselves unworthy before His merciful gaze, saying: Heal me, Lord, and I shall be healed; save me and I shall be saved. And again, Lord, have mercy on me; heal my soul because I have sinned against you.

— St Bernard

Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12

1 Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east); and the water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. 2 Then he brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me round on the outside to the outer gate, that faces toward the east; and the water was coming out on the south side. 3 Going on eastward with a line in his hand, the man measured a thousand cubits, and then led me through the water; and it was ankle-deep. 4 Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water; and it was knee-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water; and it was up to the loins. 5 Again he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through. 6 And he said to me, "Son of man, have you seen this?" Then he led me back along the bank of the river. 7 As I went back, I saw upon the bank of the river very many trees on the one side and on the other. 8 And he said to me, "This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah; and when it enters the stagnant waters of the sea, the water will become fresh. 9 And wherever the river goes every living creature which swarms will live, and there will be very many fish; for this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. 12 And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing."

Bible Study: [1-12] The wonderful and superabundant stream flowing from the temple, restoring to fertility traditionally arid ground, is symbolic of the return of the conditions of primeval paradise; cf Genesis 2:10-14. Water signifies great blessings, just as dryness signifies a curse; cf Ezekiel 26:5, 14.

Psalm 46, 2-3, 5-6, 8-9

2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. [Selah] 5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God will help her right early. 6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has wrought desolations in the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, he burns the chariots with fire!

Bible Study: [Psalm 46] A song of confidence in God’s protection of Zion with close parallels to Psalm 48. The dominant note in Psalm 46 is sounded by the refrain, The LORD of hosts is with us (Psalm 46:4, 8, 12). The first strophe (Psalm 46:2-4) sings of the security of God’s presence even in utter chaos; the second (Psalm 46:5-8), of divine protection of the city Psalm 46 from its enemies; the third (Psalm 46:9-11), of God’s imposition of imperial peace.

John 5:1-16

1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Beth-za’tha, which has five porticoes. 3 In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed. 5 One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" 7 The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me." 8 Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk." 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked. Now that day was the sabbath. 10 So the Jews said to the man who was cured, "It is the sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet." 11 But he answered them, "The man who healed me said to me, `Take up your pallet, and walk.’" 12 They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, `Take up your pallet, and walk’?" 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you." 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 And this was why the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did this on the sabbath.

Bible Study: [1-47] The self-revelation of Jesus continues in Jerusalem at a feast. The third sign (cf John 2:11; 4:54) is performed, the cure of a paralytic by Jesus’ life-giving word. The water of the pool fails to bring life; Jesus’ word does.

/      raangulo

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