"I THIRST" - THIRD WEEK OF LENT - YEAR A
SUNDAY – THIRD WEEK OF LENT
Reflection.
"O Divine Truth, You give so much strength to the soul which clothes itself with You, that it never falters under the weight of adversity beneath the burden of troubles and temptations, but in every struggle it gains a great victory. I am wretched because I have not followed You, O Eternal Truth; hence I am so weak that in every least tribulation I fall"
-- St Catherine of Siena
Lenten Question.
Q: What is the meaning of veiling statues and images during Lent?
A: The practice of veiling began in the eleventh century with the hanging of a curtain (later known as the "hunger cloth") to screen the altar area or chancel from the penitents and even the other members of the faithful. In the next centuries, statues and images were also veiled as part of the lenten austerity, serving as a visual fast from the usually brilliantly colored iconography of the sanctuary. The veiling of images was thought to be symbolic of the Gospel, which was formerly read on the Fifth Sunday of Lent, in which Jesus hides himself and withdraws from the temple (Jn 8:59). This practice was limited to the fifth and sixth weeks of Lent, then known as Passiontide.
With the revision of the liturgy after Vatican II, the episcopal conference of each country was authorized to abandon or continue the practice. In the United States, the veiling of statues has been discontinued. Parishes are not free to restore the practice on their own initiative (Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy Newsletter 31:14 [April 1995]).
One exception to this is that all crosses should be removed from the church after the Mass of the Lord's Supper, and any crosses, which cannot be removed, should be covered with a red or purple veil (Circular Letter 57). This permits the veneration of the cross on Good Friday to be focused on one cross.
Rev. Paul J. Niemann
Lenten Action.
Say "I will pray for you" to someone who has shared a difficulty.
Prayer.
Renew my eagerness to work with you in building a better world, so that my friends may hear your gospel of peace and justice. Amen.
Source: Daily Meditations During Lent.
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MONDAY – THIRD WEEK OF LENT
"Go and wash...and your flesh will heal." (2 Kings 5:10)
Reflection.
Although I know well, Margaret, that because of my past wickedness I deserve to be abandoned by God, I cannot but trust in his merciful goodness. His grace has strengthened me until now and made me content to lose goods, land, and life as well, rather than to swear against my conscience. God's grace has given the king a gracious frame of mind toward me, so that as yet he has taken from me nothing but my liberty. In doing this His Majesty has done me such great good with respect to spiritual profit that I trust that among all the great benefits he has heaped so abundantly upon me I count my imprisonment the very greatest. I cannot, therefore, mistrust the grace of God.
By the merits of his bitter passion joined to mine and far surpassing in merit for me all that I can suffer myself, his bounteous goodness shall release me from the pains of purgatory and shall increase my reward in heaven besides.
I will not mistrust him, Meg, though I shall feel myself weakening and on the verge of being overcome with fear. I shall remember how Saint Peter at a blast of wind began to sink because of his lack of faith, and I shall do as he did: call upon Christ and pray to him for help. And then I trust he shall place his holy hand on me and in the stormy seas hold me up from drowning.
And finally, Margaret, I know this well: that without my fault he will not let me be lost. I shall, therefore, with good hope commit myself wholly to him. And if he permits me to perish for my faults, then I shall serve as praise for his justice. But in good faith, Meg, I trust that his tender pity shall keep my poor soul safe and make me commend his mercy.
And, therefore, my own good daughter, do not let you mind be troubled over anything that shall happen to me in this world. Nothing can come but what God wills. And I am very sure that whatever that be, however bad it may seem, it shall indeed be the best.
-- a letter by St Thomas More to his daughter Margaret
Lenten Question.
Q: Are wedding permitted during Lent?
A: The rite of marriage does not forbid weddings during Lent but reminds couples that the celebration should be consistent with the special nature of this penitential season. The customary feasting associated with weddings is difficult to harmonize with the lenten fast. Similarly, the floral decorations and festive music, which are usual at church weddings, are out of place during Lent.
The wedding Mass with its proper Scripture readings is not permitted on the Sundays of Lent, during Holy Week, or during the Triduum.
Rev. Paul J. Niemann
Lenten Action.
Forgive one who has betrayed you and ask forgiveness from one you have betrayed.
Prayer.
Jesus, may we know that when a person is forgiven and begins to walk in the path of righteousness he will go on to become the recipient of many spiritual blessings. May this be the inheritance of every true believer. Amen.
Source: Daily Meditations During Lent.
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TUESDAY – THIRD WEEK OF LENT
"Lord, when my brother wrongs me, how often must I forgive him?" (Matthew 18:21)
Reflection.
I had confided the painful story of my father to my friend. My parents separated bitterly when I was in high school. My father turned against his three sons. He circulated a letter of vicious lies in town to destroy our reputations and moved to Canada to avoid paying child support.
I last saw my father in 1964, when I was sixteen. After that, I spoke with him only twice. The last time, he claimed he was not my father and threatened to harm me if I ever contacted him again. Years later, in 1990, I learned that my father had died--and changed his last name!
It was now 1993. My friend knew my pain. In a gentle way we debated our subject over the phone. Citing Jesus' words, "if there is repentance, you must forgive," I clung to my anger and the reverse idea that Christians need not forgive, when there is no repentance.
My friend and I had debated this issue before. Finally, in this conversation he said, "Here's what I'm concerned about. What happens to me when I don't forgive?" This time his words struck me. Beyond my clinging to any proof text, his words spoke to my soul.
My journey included prayer, self-reflection, sharing my journey with others, and my desire to be freed from re-living these nightmares of my past. Above all, I trusted our God of love and forgiveness to go with me, no matter how arduous my journey.
Weeks passed into months. Slowly my intense anger began to cool. Finally, after more than two years, a day came when I realized I no longer bore ill will toward my father. With God's help, I had forgiven him!
I still considered his actions to be wrong. But even so, what a difference! After all those years of simmering anger, I had come to a place where I felt a real sense of peace with my father's memory--and myself! This experience touched my life and faith deeply.
-- Dr. Douglas Showalter
Lenten Question.
Q: May infants be baptized during Lent?
A: Infants may be baptized on any day, although Sunday, the day of the Lord's resurrection, is always the preferred day (Rite of Baptism for Children 9). Similarly, the sacraments of initiation are preferably celebrated during the Easter season, the "Sunday" of the entire year.
While not strictly prohibited, it is certainly anomalous to celebrate infant baptism at Sunday Mass during Lent. Each of the lenten Sundays is set aside for one of the adult initiation rites: the rite of sending (to the rite of election), an optional penitential rite for candidates, and the three scrutinies. Liturgically, the rites of initiation for children are derived from the adult rites; the adult order is normative. Lent is the time to prepare for baptism at Easter.
In case of necessity, of course, infants may be baptized during Lent, but it is more suitable that infant baptism be deferred until Easter.
In addition, the Circular Letter states, "it is not fitting that Baptisms and Confirmations be celebrated on Passion Sunday through Holy Thursday"
Rev. Paul J. Niemann
Lenten Action.
Forgive one who has betrayed you and ask forgiveness from one you have betrayed.
Prayer.
O Lord, the hour of your favor draws near, the day of your mercy and our salvation - when death was destroyed and eternal life began. We acknowledge our sins and our offenses are always before us. Blot out all our wrongdoings and give us a new and steadfast spirit. Restore us to your friendship and number us among the living who share the joy of your Son's risen life. Amen.
Source: Daily Meditations During Lent.
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WEDNESDAY – THIRD WEEK OF LENT
"Take care...not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen." (Deuteronomy 4:9)
Reflection.
St. Dominic Savio was born in Italy in 1842. One day when he was just four, he disappeared and his good mother went looking for him. She found the little fellow in a corner praying with his hands joined and his head bowed. He already knew all his prayers by heart! At five, he was an altar boy.
When he was seven, he received his First Holy Communion. On that solemn day, he chose a motto: "Death, but not sin!" and he kept it always. "A teenager such as Dominic, who bravely struggled to keep his innocence from Baptism to the end of his life, is really a saint," said Pope St. Pius X. At the age of twelve, Dominic entered the school run by St. John Bosco. Don Bosco examined him first and at the end of the questions, Dominic asked, "What do you think of me?""I think you're good material," answered the priest, with a big smile.
"Well, then," said Dominic, "You are a good tailor, so if the material is good, take me and make a new suit out of me for Our Lord!"
Everyone in the school saw from the way he prayed that this boy was different. He greatly loved all the boys, and even though he was younger, he used to worry about them. He was afraid that they would lose the grace of God by sinning.
One day, a fellow brought a magazine full of bad pictures to school. In a minute, a group of boys had gathered around him to see it.
"What's up?" wondered Dominic, and he, too, went to look. Just one peek was enough for him. He grabbed the magazine and tore it to pieces! "Poor us!" he cried in the meantime, "Did God give us eyes to look at such things as this? Aren't you ashamed?"
"Oh, we were just looking at these pictures for the fun of it," said one boy."Sure, for fun," answered Dominic, "and in the meantime you're preparing yourselves to go to hell!"
"Oh, what's so wrong about looking at these pictures anyway?" another fellow demanded.
Dominic had a ready answer. "If you don't see anything wrong," he said sadly, "this is even worse." It means you're used to looking at shameful things!"
No one said anything after that. They all realized that Dominic was right. Another time he stopped a terrific stone-throwing fight between two angry boys. Holding up a little crucifix between them, he said, "Before you fight, look at this and say, 'Jesus Christ was innocent and He died forgiving His murderers. I am a sinner, and I am going to hurt Him by not forgiving my enemies.' Then you can start - and throw your first stone at me!"
The two boys were so ashamed of themselves that they apologized, and promised to go to confession too.
One day Dominic began to feel sick and was sent home to get better. While at home he grew worse, instead, and received the last Sacraments. He was only fifteen then, but he did not fear death. In fact, he was overjoyed at the thought of going to Heaven. Just before he died, he tried to sit up.
"Goodbye," he murmured to his good father. Suddenly his face lit up with a smile of great joy and happiness. "I am seeing such wonderful things!" he exclaimed. Then he spoke no more, for he had gone to Heaven.
Dominic is the patron saint of choirboys and of the falsely accused.
This latter title was given to him due to the following incident. One time, two boys filled the school stove with snow and garbage during the cold winter months. When the teacher came back into the room, they falsely accused Dominic of doing the "dirty" deed. Although disciplined in front of the entire class, Dominic refused to tell on the two mischievous boys. When the truth was later revealed, Dominic was asked why he didn't confess to his innocence. He remarked that he was imitating Our Lord, Who remained silent during His persecutions and crucifixion.
Lenten Action.
Do an unnecessary act of love today, remembering God's love for you.
Prayer.
Give me a perfect heart to receive your work, that I may bring forth fruit in patience. Amen.
Source: Daily Meditations During Lent.
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THURSDAY – THIRD WEEK OF LENT
"If it is by the finger of God that I cast out devils, then the reign of God is upon you." (Luke 11:20)
Reflection.
-- The Beautiful Hands of a Priest--
We need them in life's early morning,
We need them again at its close;
We feel their warm clasp of true friendship,
We seek them when tasting life's woes.
At the altar each day we behold them,
And the hands of a king on his throne
Are not equal to them in their greatness;
Their dignity stands all alone;
And when we are tempted and wander,
To pathways of shame and of sin,
It's the hand of a priest that will absolve us--
Not once, but again and again.
And when we are taking life's partner,
Other hands may prepare us a feast,
But the hand that will bless and unite us--
Is the beautiful hand of a priest.
God bless them and keep them all holy,
For the Host which their fingers caress;
When can a poor sinner do better,
Than to ask Him to guide thee and bless?
When the hour of death comes upon us,
May our courage and strength be increased,
By seeing raised over us in blessing--
The beautiful hands of a priest.
Lenten Question.
Q: We used to conclude Stations of the Cross with benediction. Is this no longer appropriate?
A: Bestowing a blessing with the eucharistic elements has a long tradition behind it. Cyril of Jerusalem (ca. 315—386) advises those who drink from the chalice to "sign themselves" with what remains on the lips after communion. From the early middle ages the sick and dying were blessed with the pyx containing the Eucharist after they had received. A similar blessing at the end of communion is a regular part of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. However, these blessings are always part of the eucharistic liturgy itself and serve as a solemn conclusion to the action of eating and drinking the Lord's Body and Blood.
After the development of the feast of Corpus Christi in the thirteenth century, eucharistic exposition and benediction became independent devotional services. Benediction was especially popular in times when sacramental communion was rare and Mass could be celebrated only in the morning hours. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and benediction immediately afterward became a common conclusion to evening devotions of all kinds. This is the reason people remember benediction as the conclusion to the Stations of the Cross.
The 1973 instruction Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist outside Mass affirms the ritual practice of exposition and benediction and brings it into the official liturgy of the church. At the same time it prohibits "exposition merely for the purpose of giving benediction." Benediction is understood as the conclusion of a time of worship and prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. It is not merely something to be added to another devotion.
Similarly, the Stations of the Cross developed from the procession of pilgrims from the traditional place of the judgment of Jesus by Pontius Pilate- to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. This commemorative walk through the streets of the Old City was made available to people around the world by the placing of fourteen crosses, often with an image of the station, on the walls of the parish church. In short, the stations are best celebrated as a procession of the assembly from place to place.
Combining the stations with benediction seems to impair the spirit of both devotions.
Rev. Paul J. Niemann
Prayer.
O God, you sent your Son, Jesus, to bring eternal life to those who believe. I join him in praying for laborers for your harvest. May your Holy Spirit inspire men and women to continue his mission through your priesthood, deaconate, religious life and lay ministry. May this same Spirit make known your will for my life. Amen.
Source: Daily Meditations During Lent.
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FRIDAY – THIRD WEEK OF LENT
Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence from meat.
"You shall love the Lord your God." (Mark 12:30)
Reflection.
Since my longing for martyrdom was powerful and unsettling, I turned to the epistles of Saint Paul in the hope of finally finding an answer. By chance the twelfth and thirteenth chapters of the first epistle to the Corinthians caught my attention, and in the first section I read that not everyone can be an apostle, prophet or teacher, that the Church is composed of a variety of members, and that the eye cannot be the hand. Even with such an answer revealed before me, I was not satisfied and did not find peace.
I persevered in the reading and did not let my mind wander until I found this encouraging theme: "Set your desires on the greater gifts. And I will not show you the way which surpasses all others." For the Apostle insists that the greater gifts are nothing at all without love and that this same love is surely the best path leading directly to God. At length I had found peace of mind.
Love appeared to me to be the hinge for my vocation. Indeed, I knew that the Church had a body composed of various members, but in this body the necessary and more noble member was not lacking; I knew that the Church had a heart and that such a heart appeared to be aflame with love. I knew that one love drove the members of the Church to action, that if this love were extinguished, the apostles would have proclaimed the Gospel no longer, the martyrs would have shed their blood no more. I saw and realized that love sets off the bounds of all vocations, that love is everything, that this same love embraces every time and every place. In one word, that love is everlasting.
-- Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus
Lenten Question.
Q: How are saints’ days celebrated during Lent?
A: One of the goals of the 1969 calendar reform was to allow the celebrations of the principal mysteries of salvation, for example, those relating to the incarnation or the Lord's passion, to have priority. Celebrations in honor of the saints were ranked as solemnities, feasts, memorials, and optional memorials. As much as possible, saints' days were relocated to other appropriate days outside of Lent. For example, the memorial of St. Gregory the Great was transferred from March 12, the date of his death, to September 3, the date of his election as pope.
Obligatory memorials remaining in February, March, and early April are kept only as "commemorations" during Lent. In other words, the readings and Mass prayers of the lenten weekday take priority; only the opening prayer of the saint may be used.
Feasts and solemnities are celebrated with the liturgical texts assigned to them. If a solemnity occurs on a Sunday of Lent, it is celebrated on the preceding Saturday; if it occurs during Holy Week it is celebrated after the octave of Easter. If a feast or memorial occurs on a Sunday or during Holy Week, it is not celebrated.
Rev. Paul J. Niemann
Lenten Action.
A diet of amoral and immoral programs can and will corrupt your values. Do you control the media you watch and listen to?
Prayer.
O my God, I love you above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because you are all good and worthy of all my love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of you. I forgive all who have injured me and I ask pardon of all whom I have injured.
Source: Daily Meditations During Lent.
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SATURDAY – THIRD WEEK OF LENT
"O God, be merciful to me a sinner!" (Luke 18:13)
Reflection.
A friend has been drinking. Foolishly we get into the car with him, and he has an accident in which we are hurt. We eventually forgive our friend for his share of the responsibility in the accident. Another day comes when our friend is drinking again. He insists that we get in the car with him. Remembering our past injury, we refuse. But because we have not forgotten, our friend insists that we have not truly forgiven at all. In fact, we have forgiven. But, we have also learned from our painful past experience, and choose not to repeat it.
Suppose one has forgiven an injury and experienced reconciliation with the injurer--a process of two distinct stages. In such situations, it is not helpful to repeatedly bring our remembrance of the injury into the relationship. Discretion and a willingness to let the past be the past are called for, for the sake of the relationship.
--call this a type of "forgetting" if you will.
Lenten Question.
Q: What is Passiontide?
A: Passiontide refers to the last two weeks of Lent in the former Roman calendar. During this time images and crosses were veiled. Passiontide as a separate part of Lent was discontinued with the 1969 reform of the calendar.
The two Sundays in the old Passiontide were called "Passion Sunday" and "Palm Sunday." In the current calendar, what had been "Passion Sunday" is now the Fifth Sunday of Lent; "Passion Sunday" is now the preferred name for Palm Sunday because the more important element is the proclamation of the Passion Gospel rather than the blessing of palms. The Latin name for this Sixth Sunday of Lent is Dominica in palmis de passione Domini, literally "Sunday in Palms of the Passion of the Lord." Most calendars simply list the two names together as "Passion (Palm) Sunday."
Rev. Paul J. Niemann
Lenten Action.
Reflect on your life with God.
Prayer.
Have mercy on me, O God. (Psalm 51) Amen.
Source: Daily Meditations During Lent.