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Look up the daily passages from the New American Bible online at www.usccb.org/nab/bible.
SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2013
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
Forgive as you’re forgiven—yourself, too
To be human means to be broken in some way and therefore to need healing of one kind or another. If you’ve prayed for healing without effect, consider that Jesus’ physical healings were often preceded by his forgiveness of the ailing one’s sins. In fact Jesus understood that forgiveness is the real healing; it’s what makes the physical healing possible. Today is a good day to consider whether you have asked for and received forgiveness for your brokenness. More important, have you forgiven yourself? New life cannot emerge from the hard ground of self-condemnation. Because God has forgiven you, how can you not forgive yourself?
TODAY'S READINGS: Isaiah 43:16-21; Philippians 3:8-14; John 8:1-11 (36)
“Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”
MONDAY, MARCH 18
MEMORIAL OF CYRIL OF JERUSALEM, BISHOP, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
When theology was played for keeps
We tend to think of theology as something that happens in books and classrooms, but in the first centuries the setting for theology was frequently a battleground—literally. Bishops like Saint Cyril and councils of bishops condemned, excommunicated, and exiled one another on a regular basis. In the streets supporters of the various camps attacked one another’s churches—all in the name of Christ. The stakes were high: The very nature of what people believed Christ’s humanity and divinity to be. It is regrettable, though, that Christians thought violence an acceptable way of settling differences. For Christ, “peace be with you” was a greeting and a mandate; he extended the gift of God’s peace for his followers to share.
Today's Readings: Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62; John 8:12-20 (second choice) (251)
“Let us be on our guard while the promise of entering into his rest remains.”
TUESDAY, MARCH 19
SOLEMNITY OF JOSEPH, SPOUSE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Fathers and sons
One can sense some awkwardness in talking about Saint Joseph. Like a queen’s consort, his title is Mary’s spouse. As those of a certain generation were carefully taught, Joseph was the foster father of Jesus. Joseph was daddy. Joseph was abba, and Jesus was Joshua-ben-Joseph—Jesus son of Joseph. While the Gospel of Luke emphasizes Mary in the birth narrative, Matthew places Joseph at the center. His fiat—“let it be done”—was just as necessary as Mary’s. Fathers need to feel confident that Joseph is a patron who understands and a man whom Jesus loved with all his heart.
TODAY'S READINGS: 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22; Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Luke 2:41-51a (543)
“I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me.”
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20
LENTEN WEEKDAY
The founding father set the mark high
Jesus charged his Jewish critics with not doing the works of Abraham, the father they claimed. What were those works? One was Abraham’s willingness to uproot his family and follow God’s call into an unknown and dangerous land that God had promised as his inheritance. Another was to trust the Lord’s promise of descendants more numerous than the stars, even though at the time he and Sarah were childless. Finally, Abraham met the greatest challenge to his faith, the willingness even to sacrifice his beloved son if God had required it. Jesus says you must be ready to risk all and live by faith to be worthy to be called children of Abraham.
TODAY'S READINGS: Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; John 8:31-42 (253)
“Jesus said to them, ‘If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works of Abraham.’ ”
THURSDAY, MARCH 21
LENTEN WEEKDAY
Make a name for yourself
In Catholic as well as other religious and cultural traditions, the taking of a new name is symbolic of entering into a new period of one’s life. We see this often in scripture. For example, Abram was given the new name Abraham and Sarai the name Sarah to indicate their acceptance of God’s call to a deeper relationship and a significant role in salvation history. We also see this practice in our sacramental tradition when we take on a new name symbolizing our new life in God. As you continue your Lenten journey, what name would you take to symbolize the seeds of new life emerging in you?
TODAY'S READINGS: Genesis 17:3-9; John 8:51-59 (254)
“I will maintain my covenant between me and you and your descendants after you throughout the ages.”
FRIDAY, MARCH 22
LENTEN WEEKDAY; DAY OF ABSTINENCE
Fast for a reason
The saints insisted fasting is useful only if some virtue attaches to it. John Chrysostom preferred that contemplation accompany our fasts. Francis de Sales saw humility as the goal. Robert Bellarmine called the chief end of fasting to strengthen the spirit. John Climacus declared that fasting roots out bad thoughts, and Cyril of Jerusalem said it prepares us for an intellectual feast. Contemporary theologians see fasting as a form of solidarity with those who are hungry or tempted. We join those deprived of the choice to eat and join the spiritual resistance of those who might yield to temptation.
TODAY'S READINGS: Jeremiah 20:10-13; John 10:31-42 (255)
“O Lord of hosts, you test the righteous, you see the heart and the mind.” (NRSV)
SATURDAY, MARCH 23
MEMORIAL OF TURIBIUS OF MOGROVEJO, BISHOP
“Your mission, should you choose to accept it”
Each episode of the Mission Impossible TV series began with an agent getting his assignment from a tape-recorded message that included the words “your mission, should you choose to accept it.” One can imagine a similar scene in 1508 when Saint Turibius, who was teaching law, was told by his bishop, “Congratulations, you’re the new archbishop of Lima,” an 18,000 square-mile diocese. Turibius spent the rest of his life arduously visiting and educating the mostly Amerindian population of his vast territory. Everyone has a mission from God. Choose to accept it.
TODAY'S READINGS: Ezekiel 37:21-28; John 11:45-56 (256)
“I will take the children of Israel from among the nations . . . and gather them from all sides to bring them back to their land.”
©2013 by TrueQuest Communications, L.L.C. PHONE: 800-942-2811; E-MAIL: mail@takefiveforfaith.com; WEBSITE: PrepareTheWord.com Licensed for noncommercial use. All rights reserved. Scripture quotes come from the New American Bible.
Contributors: Alice Camille, Daniel Grippo, Caroline Hopkinson, Father Larry Janowski, O.F.M., Ann O'Connor, Joel Schorn, Patrice J. Tuohy, and Sister Julie Vieira, I.H.M.
