Sunday Reflection for March 14, 2010
Fourth Sunday of Lent
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Sunday Summary

Joshua 5:9a, 10-12 The gift of manna ends when the new prize of self-sufficiency begins.

Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 Those who seek the Lord will find in God deliverance from their fears.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 The ministry of reconciliation began when God reconciled the world in Christ.

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 A father and his two sons illustrate the great story of God's compassion for sinners.


PDF - MARCH - Text

PDF - APRIL - Text

Also, reflections for the optional Year A readings for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent

Exploring the Word
A love story
Two children, a father, and an inheritance: How many stories begin this way, and how bitterly many of them end! The love of money is the root of all evil, scripture tells us. In fact that same First Letter to Timothy also insists that a lover of money can never be a bishop. Yet the world is full of money-lovers, and the church is no exception. How can it be otherwise? Money solves a lot of problems in our day-to-day lives. It pays the bills and keeps a roof over our heads and food on the table. It makes the education of our children possible and health care available. . . .
Read More of this and future Reflections
Weekday Homily Reflection for March 11, 2010
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LENTEN WEEKDAY
It’s up to you
Lent’s traditional fasting, prayer, and almsgiving can help us slow down and consider whether the thousands of choices we make in a day are in tune with God. In prayer we listen in silence for God’s perspective on how to live. Fasting prods us to abandon quick, self-indulgent answers to life’s questions and problems. Almsgiving asks what we value and whether we are generous. Tuned in to our often automatic decision-making, we may realize how much each choice matters. The amazing ability of a computer is actually the result of myriad “switches,” each set at either one or zero. Change only one, and the result changes. So also we, by paying attention to our choices, may choose to undo some of our scatteredness, our noisiness, our sadness—and soften a stony heart.
Today's readings: Jeremiah 7:23-28; Luke 11:14-23
“Whoever is not with me is against me.”

March Dailies text or pdf


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World news in light of the Good News
for Sunday, March 14, 2010
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Preaching the News
» Gender discrimination deadly for daughters in Asia – In this Sunday's gospel we hear the story of a father who loved both his sons, even the prodigal one who "was lost and has been found." Daughters, however, don't fare nearly as well in Asia, according to a United Nations report ... More...
» Religious tensions high in Nigeria after massacre – The land and its produce figure prominently in Israel's desert sojourn as described in this Sunday's reading from the Book of Joshua. Conflicts over land in Nigeria are partly blamed for religious tension that led to the March 7 massacre of close to 500 Christians at the hands of ethnic Fulani Muslims. More...
» Europe roiled by fresh allegations of clerical child abuse – We are to be ambassadors for Christ, Saint Paul reminds readers in this Sunday's second reading. Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi Tuesday acknowledged the "gravity of the crisis the church is undergoing" ... More...
» Body scanners scandalize some believers – This Sunday's psalm suggests we look upon the Lord so "that you may be radiant with joy and your faces may not blush for shame." Followers of Islamic law and Orthodox Jews are among those in the traveling public who not only blush at the thought of having to pass through a full-body scanner ... More...
» Google Maps rolls out new feature for cyclists – In this Sunday's reading from 2 Corinthians, Saint Paul speaks of a new creation where "new things have come." Biking enthusiasts were celebrating Wednesday because of a new feature that comes from Google: Bicycle maps ... More...
Quote of the Week

"This is a real embarrassment."

—Isaac Herzog, Israeli welfare minister, apologizing for the government, which announced a plan to build 1,600 homes on occupied Palestinian land during U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's visit

Source: TIME

Fact of the Week

The Fox television network was the subject of 48 percent of the indecency complaints filed with the Federal Communications Commission in 2009, followed by CBS (18.6 percent), ABC (18.4 percent), and NBC (14.6 percent).

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

 


Pastoral Trends
People groups
Pastoral leaders used to envision themselves speaking to families, and that was more often than not correct. Parishes counted the numbers of families who belonged, and donations and participation happened through families.  Read more...