<TW>Weekend of 21 and 22 March 2009
- From: "Fr. Pat Umberger" <frpat@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Fr. Pat Umberger" <frpat@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 14 Mar 2009 15:57:23 -0500
.=: T H I S W E E K E N D :=.
from Father Pat Umberger
_________________________________________________
L E N T P A G E S
Visit my "Lent" page for lots of good information .... a count-down 'til
Easter, Lenten Reconciliation (including a very portable "Credit Card to
Heaven" to take with you, an Examination of Conscience .... all you'll need
to go to Confession except the sins. Visit our on-line Stations of the
Cross too, illustrated by the kids of Saint Pat's School. Our Stations and
Reconciliation aids are available both in English and Spanish. Follow the
link from: www.frpat.com
O N - L I N E S T A T I O N S O F T H E C R O S S
Visit my on-line Stations of the Cross. I wrote the text for children and
adults alike. The Stations were illustrated by the children of Saint Pat's
School. They're available in English and Spanish as well. Visit the Stations
every day during Lent. I think you'll like them a great deal.
Here's the link: www.frpat.com/stations.htm
__________________________________________________
.=: V O L U M E 2 0 0 9 , Number 03-22 :=.
.=: T H I S W E E K E N D ' S S C R I P T U R E S :=.
The Fourth Sunday of Lent, Year B.
Weekend of 21 and 22 March 2009
"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 ... " Does God continue to send messengers to us? Who might they
be? When are we tempted to despise these warnings and scoff at the
prophets?
"Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!" How is this a dangerous
prayer for us to pray? A wonderful one? When are we tempted to "forget"
the Lord?
"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." Is it possible
for us to "earn" salvation? How does God save us? Can we trust that we
have been and will be saved?
"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.'" What do the serpent and the cross have in
common? What about the serpent and the cross remind us of God's saving
power? What do they tell us about ourselves?
"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." We see "John
3:16" held up in football games, in parades, political campaigns and all
kinds of places. This is the verse! Why is it so powerful? Why is the
message so central to us as Christians?
"For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come
toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed." What are these
deeds of darkness? Why are we so tempted to fall to them?
"But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be
clearly seen as done in God." What are the deeds of light? How does God
call us from the darkness into the light? How can the Sacrament of
Reconciliation help us?
"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that
the world might be saved through him." Spend some time simply appreciating
the beauty of this statement! Why is it sometimes easier for us to feel
"condemned" than "saved?"
How are these Scriptures comforting? Challenging?
.=: S P I R I T U A L R E F L E C T I O N :=.
Even small children don't enjoy hearing the word, "No!" As we grow older we
believe we're also more responsible. We can see the word "no" as being
restrictive. It can make us rebel and do things our own way. Sometimes we
do, and find how easily we can hurt ourselves and those around us.
God made us. God keeps us in existence. God has given us a plan for living
good lives. That plan leads to justice and happiness for ourselves and
those around us. All we have to do is live God's commandments and many good
things happen. Why then, is it so difficult?
Our society tells us that we should do what we want and have what we want.
It stresses success and prosperity, often at the expense of those around us.
We sometimes work so long and hard we have little time left for people, even
our own family members and friends. When we have time off, it's easy for us
to be selfish with it. We can easily devote most of our time and energy to
getting what we want, and when we want it. We can grasp all opportunities
to do just that.
God gives us Commandments. They're not suggestions at all! They're very
much like an owner's manual that leads to happiness, joy, faith, and justice
that leads to peace. When we live them, we naturally grow closer to God and
to those around us.
Sometimes we can try to live God's Commandments by simply avoiding evil. If
we're honest, we have to admit that an ordinary chair can keep God's
Commandments in that way, and not do anything at all. In order to keep the
Commandments we need to love God, speak good and kind words, practice our
faith, honor our parents and those around us, stand up for the value of
life, be pure and faithful, be honest and fair, speak kindly and honestly
about those around us, and not become obsessed with what is not ours. Seems
like a tall order, doesn't it?
Again, when we live the Commandments, we become happier and more faithful.
We have more friends and appreciate family members and friends in a deep and
profound way. We think more of others and less of ourselves. "Things"
don't seem very important to us at all.
In today's Gospel, Jesus becomes upset with people selling things in the
temple. Jesus saw through their outward appearance. Rather than providing
for the religious needs of their friends, they were enriching themselves and
"using" God's law for their own benefit. Jesus shows them that it is not
right to turn the "Father's house into a marketplace." Zeal for God's house
consumed Jesus. He needed the people to see what true faith was all about.
This week we can spend some time considering the value of the Commandments
of God. We can evaluate which things are lasting and worth our time and
effort and which are extraneous. We can even look at our worship and strive
to be people who build the faith of those around us by our observance and
example.
Let's listen to the Lord's call this week, follow that call and set a good
example for those around us to follow. Have a good week!
(c)MMVIX Fr. Pat Umberger. This Spiritual Reflection is found each week at
the Web Site www.frpat.com. Feel free to link to this page or reproduce them
for parish use as long as this credit remains.
__________________________________________________
<TW>This Weekend is free, and comes from:
Father Pat Umberger, a priest of the Diocese of La Crosse
in Wisconsin U.S.A.
Web Site: www.frpat.com
Evangelization (reaching out): www.cmonback.com
.=: M A K E A D O N A T I O N ? :=.
www.frpat.com/donation.htm
.=: F O R W A R D I N G :=.
Please leave these credits when doing so.
.=: C H A N G E Y O U R S U B S C R I P T I O N :=.
Unsubscribe from your old address before you subscribe with your
new address. Use this link: www.frpat.com/morningprayer.htm#mp
You can also set your account to Vacation Mode there.
Other related posts:
- » <TW>Weekend of 21 and 22 March 2009 - Fr. Pat Umberger
