March 24, 2019

Third Sunday of Lent

Where Do You Stand?

Deacon Kevin O'Boyle

The bible teaches us, from Genesis onward that God is the maker of all things. That he saw that they were Good. Even animals and man – he saw that they were good. It is little surprise then that God knows how creation, and everything (and everyone) in it works. Our readings today reflect God’s intimate knowledge of the world and those who dwell in it. He displays that knowledge in the various stories we hear.

In our first reading from Exodus, we hear the story of the burning bush. In this story, God shows his understanding both of how to create something that seems out of place – and the reaction we would expect from such a thing. He lights a bush on fire, but the fire does not consume the bush. Moses hears of this, and, certainly as God would expect, Moses must go and see this bush that is not consumed. As he approaches the bush, God stops Moses and tells him it is a holy place. Moses removes his shoes – and is afraid to look upon His God. This concept of the sacred is an ancient one – and one that seems to have largely disappeared in our churches today. When we look to our tabernacle – and every tabernacle in every Catholic Church throughout the world, we indeed should recognize a holy place. But do we? Do we treat the Church, especially the tabernacle, and the altar during the Eucharistic prayer – the words of consecration – as holy places. Do we recognize by the way we dress, and act that this place is a holy place? Where do we stand.

In our second reading today, Paul, writing to the Corinthians, reviews several of the scenes from the Old Testament times – the times of the Exodus. The ancestors passed under the cloud and through the sea. They ate and drank the same spiritual food that flowed from Christ. God, in these actions, showed that he understood the needs of His people. The need for freedom, for food and for drink. And he provided it. But he was not pleased with their response. And as a result the people were struck down. This, Paul tells us was a warning and example to the people of Corinth (and to us). Where do we stand as we receive the gifts of food and drink that Jesus provides for us here today? Will God be pleased with how we welcome those gifts? Do we make it a point to be here at least every weekend to receive those gifts? Or do we forget that the first reason we come together on Sunday or Saturday evening is to give homage to God. Do we find other reasons to do other things? Is this duty expressed in the Third Commandment given to Moses, one that we often forget? And, having received the Body and Blood of our Lord, would people know it by the way we act once we leave this place? Where do we stand?

Finally, in our Gospel, Luke records our Lord’s story of the fig tree. In it, the owner is ready to tear out the tree because it has not born fruit. But the caretaker begs the owner to let him care for, fertilize and nourish the tree. And then, if it still does not bear fruit, he can tear it down. Each of us may look upon ourselves as the fig tree in that story. God is the owner. He has given us another chance. We are to be nourished with the Body and Blood of our Lord. Trimmed and cultivated with His Word and Teaching. Where will we then stand? Will we bear fruit? Will people know us as Christians? Will others see that as good, and be drawn to join us where we stand?

Today is the beginning of the third of six weeks of Lent. Time is moving quickly. How are we doing? Are we approaching and properly behaving in God’s Holy Grounds? Do we receive Christ’s Body and Blood in a way that respects the examples we have been given? Are we, modern day fig trees, prepared to bear good fruit? Where do we stand? It is something to think about this week. God Bless.

Third Sunday of Lent – Scrutinies

What’s Your Drink?

Deacon Kevin O'Boyle

The bible teaches us, from Genesis onward that God is the maker of all things. That he saw that they were Good. Even animals and man – he saw that they were good. It is little surprise then that God knows how creation, and everything (and everyone) in it works. Our readings today reflect God’s intimate knowledge of the world and those who dwell in it. He displays that knowledge in the recognition of one of our most basic needs – the need to drink.

In our first reading from Exodus, we are with Moses and the people are grumbling and complaining about the lack of water. They need and want to drink. Moses, in fact, is afraid they will soon turn upon him. So Moses turns to God for help, and God responds and tells Moses exactly what to do. Moses strikes the rock with his staff, and water flows from it. The people are contented (for the time being) and they find their drink.

In our second reading from Romans, we are reminded of the cup from which Christ drank for each of us. Recall the scripture reminded us that only with difficulty does one die for a just person. God proved His love for us because Christ died while we were all still sinners. We know the cup from which Christ drank.

We then come to the story of the Samaritan Woman at the well who met with Jesus. The woman had come to draw water about noon. So she was coming in the heat of the day to draw her water. Drawing water was not an easy task. It took great energy. It seems likely that there was a reason the woman came to draw the water at noon. Could it have been because she hoped that no one else would be around? Given the reputation Jesus revealed as hers, perhaps there were those in town she would prefer not to meet up with. Nonetheless, she needed water. So she went to the well to draw it. As we heard in the story, Jews had little to do with Samaritans. They avoided each other. For Jesus to ask her for a drink was highly unusual. But then, we know that Jesus had little concern for the prejudices of the day. He looked to the heart of the persons he met. Jesus offers her living water – water which, if consumed would forever quench a person’s thirst. He of course, is speaking of the water of his own words – His teaching. The woman, not catching His true meaning is immediately interested in this water (probably because she is tired of fetching water from the well). Jesus, after revealing his knowledge of the hidden facts of her life, reveals that he is the Christ. The woman went off, telling all the town what Jesus had said. So what of each of us? Are we prepared to drink the water of Christ’s teachings? Are we prepared to tell the whole town – or at least our family and friends? What is our drink?

Our scripture stories today remind us of our fundamental need to drink. We cannot survive long without water. From the people grumbling in the desert during the Exodus, to the perfect example of Christ’s love as he drank the cup prepared for him, and finely to the woman at the well, we are reminded of the importance of water in our lives. More specifically, of the water of Christ’s words – the words of everlasting life. For each of us, but especially for those who face the first scrutinies today as they prepare for full membership in the Church at Easter, these lessons call us to the ever-refreshing springs of God’s love. We are called to Eat and Drink his Body and Blood. We are called to love as He loved each of us in reparation for our sins. We are called to ask ourselves, What is our Drink? It is something to think about this week. God Bless.