Sister Gabriella Crowley and Tim Boggs, Cojourner

The Gospel today tells us of Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial. In the intimacy of a meal Jesus experiences great suffering at the hands of two of his friends, his trusted disciples, two that he loved deeply.  We, too, may have known betrayal or been denied by a close friend or even a family member.  That wound may not have been healed yet, even years later.  On the other hand we ourselves may have been the betrayer or the one who denied another in some way.  We wonder how this fall from  grace can be repaired.  We have only to look to the merciful God and open our hearts for forgiveness. We know that a glance from Jesus was Peter’s answer that he was forgiven.  We cannot judge Judas.  Perhaps his first step in asking forgiveness was when he returned the thirty pieces of silver to the Jewish leaders.

May we continue to grow in forgiving others and in asking to be forgiven.  Maybe we must take it one step at a time.  If we are able to forgive in our own space, in our own time this power of forgiveness can reach out into the world and truly make a difference.  It will help grow the Beloved Community dreamed of by Martin Luther King.

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Sister Phyllis Gill

I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice,
I have grasped you by the hand;
I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people,
a light for the nations,
To open the eyes of the blind,
to bring out prisoners from confinement,
and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.  (Is. 42:6-7)

We have been called!  Called by God!  What for?  The above answers the question but it seems like a pretty big task.  How can I live it out?  Each of us, in our own little nook of the world, maybe needs to assess our everyday life and find ways we can be a light for someone we know or meet.  How can I open the eyes of the “blind” or help bring someone just one more step out of what confines them – what darkness surrounds them.  It may only be a smile, a grateful word, a compliment, a hello, an encouraging word, a helping hand, . . .   They may not seem like much but I know sometimes, I can be lost in my own thoughts, needs, or moods and  not be aware that the person in front of me or someone I know could use a little “light” in their life and I could be the source of it.  Little things can make a big difference!

And so I pray for the wisdom and awareness to be light for others, by remembering with the Psalmist:  “The Lord is my light and my salvation”.  May the awareness of the Lord with me at all times help me draw on God’s strength and love and be able to pass it on.

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A VICTORIOUS JOURNEY

Today the crowd “celebrates” the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ on a donkey into Jerusalem, with the crowds strewing palm branches in his path and waving them as he passed them.  We know where this journey is headed!  We also wonder why he is riding on a “donkey?”  We also wonder if there is a symbolism to the palm branches.  We wonder all of this, but the Jewish people of Jesus’ time knew exactly what was going on.  There is a deeper meaning here!

The fact that Jesus was riding on a “donkey” was a symbol of royalty who also rode on donkeys.  So, the people were clued to the fact that Jesus was proclaiming himself as a KING.  However, the people’s expectations of a King was not a spiritual Messiah who would be victor of their salvation, but as a potential political leader who would overthrow the Romans.  “Hosanna” meant “save now.”  In ancient times, palm branches symbolized goodness and victory over the enemies and were often placed on the king’s palaces’ lintels.  The people thought they were waving in their next political savior! 

Do we sometimes “misinterpret” how Jesus is speaking to us?  Do we “get it wrong” sometimes?  Are  we attuned to the deeper meaning?

This past week, many of the people in the Pax Christi movement, worked tirelessly to repeal the use of the death penalty in the state of South Dakota.  The initiative failed in committee after compelling testimony for and against the death penalty. Some said it was a deterrent.  Others said that it is God’s to take a life, not the state!  All were wanting to protect the citizens of our state.  The people in Jerusalem thought Jesus would be a political savior, rather than a spiritual messiah.  The people who gave testimonies at the hearing about the use of the death penalty seemed to understand “justice” and “peace” in two different ways – peace and justice achieved through the victory over the “enemy” and others believing of peace and justice being  achieved through the victory of humility, mercy, love and compassion.  When it comes to war, some believe peace is achieved through military intervention.  Others believe that peace is achieved through dialogue, through non-violent means. 

This week, we enter into the deeper mystery of Jesus’ journey towards death and resurrection because his journey of humility, mercy, love and compassion is ultimately our journey towards fullness of life!

Lord, you entered Jerusalem with peace in your heart.
Be our vision that we too may desire peace where others desire war, and may work for justice where injustice reigns.

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Sister Pat Prunty

This reading from Ezekial speaks of the Covenant that God made with his people. The Covenant appears in several places in scripture and it is worded a little different in each reading, but basically, the meaning is the same in each.   I remember my theology teacher at Marquette University emphasizing the growth that the Israelite people had made as they moved from a theology of the Commandments to a covenant understanding of their relationship with God. 

As a young teacher, I had my students learn the Covenant. I hope that they remember it when they hear it read in the liturgy, but most of all, I hope that they remember to live it.

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I chose S. Kathleen’s and my Easter reflection reading by opening my Living Faith book and stabbing down my finger to a page at random. That page was March 27^th. Wow, heavy stuff!   Revenge, shame, vengeance and wanting to see the Lord get even on our behalf for the pain others have inflicted upon us.

What happened to ‘turning the other cheek’, ‘loving others, no matter who or how they are’, ‘forgiveness always’, and all that sort of thing?

“But the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion”. These words from Jeremiah come in the midst of a passage from Chapter 20 in which the prophet describes the life around him. As mentioned in this passage, the description he gives echoes the situation in much of our world today.

On this Friday of the 5^th week of Lent, we are reminded that in the past, as today, prayer does not always remove the dangers, but we walk the scary moments with our God. The psalm for today reassures us in the midst of the pain, “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and He heard my voice”.

Yes, we call out to the Lord, our champion, and hope that He hears us. He gives us the strength to resist the temptation to ‘get even’. Dislike and contempt takes so much less effort than love – it’s the easy, ‘human’ way out of having to deal with finding that emotion within us that allows us to think ‘I know there’s something about you that I like, I just need to figure out what it is’. This is hard to do sometimes.

As we approach this fresh, new Easter season of rebirth and new life, could we all try to find one positive thing to admire, like, or respect in those people we encounter who may ‘rub us the wrong way’, maybe for no reason at all? It’s what God commands of us.

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Throughout this Lenten Season, I have been challenged to explore my relationship with our Creator. Is it getting better? Have I deepened my spirituality and learned more?  As my pastor challenged us one day “Are you closer to God now than you were a year ago? IF not, Why Not? ”

In today’s readings, I am reminded that many in our faith history had a deep relationship with the Creator.  I am in awe of their faith and bravery in making changes in their lives as God directed.  Many also struggled to understand Jesus’ messages. It seems to me that the more I learn the more I question. The more I want to work to understand. Part of my journey is not just accepting the written Bible, but to incorporate context and depth of understanding of what the messages really mean for me here and now.

One thing I do understand is that no matter what we are called to do for God, we can be assured that He will remain with us and keep the promises He has made. “The Lord remembers his covenant forever”. What a powerful message and promise this is for us. As humans, in our weaknesses, we have that continuing assurance that the Father is with us, will not forget His promises and when we are weak, He will bring His strength to us, we just need to do our best to listen to His voice and allow ourselves to trust in His guidance.

So as I travel my daily journey, I can be assured that my Creator is with me, He may be a silent supporter, a cheerleader or a friend who asks “What are you thinking ? ”   I know he is keeping His promises so I will do my best to keep mine, and to listen and follow His commands.

Prayer

Dear God, as I journey this Lenten path and work through my daily struggles, I am thankful that you are with me, my comforter and my guide. In you, I know I have a friend.  Thank you for always being with me and allowing me to have peace in my moments of struggle. Thank you for being my strength when I am at my weakest. And lastly Lord, help me to continue to deepen my relationship with you and develop my faith so that I may be brave enough and strong enough to do what you ask of me.  Amen

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Sister Roxanne Seifert
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

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“You will surely die in yours sins unless you come to believe that I AM.” John 8:24

In today’s scriptures two meaningful passages, one from each Testament, build on one another.  In the First (Old) Testament Israel is struggling in the desert on the way from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land.  Tired, hungry and frustrated, the people cry out against Moses and especially against their “saving” God who seems to have forsaken them.   Added to their frustration with the desert travelog, they are plagued by poisonous serpents whose bites are severely painful and often deadly.  There’s nothing like desperation to bring us to our knees.   Israel, desperate and helpless, turns itself around and cries to God for deliverance…one more time…and in response to their own infidelity.  Of course, their saving God is faithful to God’s covenant with them…”You will by My people!”  God instructed Moses to mount one of the snakes on an upright as a sacrament of healing for those bitten.

From this episode the whole world has adopted that symbol of healing, the saraph serpent mounted on a pole.

In today’s reading from the Second (New) Testament Jesus warns those stuck in their stubborn pride that their attitude is deadly.  “You will surely die in yours sins unless you come to believe that I AM.”

Many people today have forfeited faith in God, believing freedom is found in unburdening themselves with what religious faith asks.  These are strong individualists, free thinkers, practical philosophers who have developed a “civil religion” free of God.   They dismiss organized religion in the name of freedom.

This movement reminds us to consider the nature of the freedom of the children of God.  The Israelites in the desert groused against God and claimed their independence until their human resources were exhausted.  Their independence brought them to their knees when they found themselves unable to self-rescue.  This was a sacramental moment for Israel.

If political virtue, unburdened by the tenets of religious faith, leads to noble and fulfilled lives, one would expect there to be less greed, less violence, less interpersonal abuse and oppression in today’s techno-driven world.

As we approach the sacred days of Holy Week and Good Friday, it is well to remember with John of the fourth gospel, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that all who believe may have everlasting life IN HIM

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“Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

The scribes and the Pharisees in today’s scripture reading brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle of the group. They thought she should be stoned.

Jesus knew that this woman had probably sinned; however, he was trying to get the point across to all who were present that we are all sinners at times. The only person we should be judging is ourselves. It is so easy to judge the sinfulness of others, and try to make it look like we have never sinned. We are already sinning if we are judging others. Everyone needs forgiveness and healing; and that is what the Church is for. That is why Jesus came on earth. He led the way for all of us. Jesus showed us how to love everyone, including the sinner. In a gentle way we can try to help those who have done wrong, realize that what they did was wrong. If we cannot do anything else to help them, we can still pray for them.

Lord, give me a soft heart, just like yours. You forgive all of my sins; help me to be just as generous as you are with showing mercy.

Amen.

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Sister Francene Evans

My Law in Your Heart

“I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel …. I will put my law within them, I will write it upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”  (Jer 31:31-33)

As I write this reflection it is almost Valentine’s Day and images of hearts flood newspapers and TV ads.  During Lent we are asked to “rend your hearts, not your garments.”  We often talk about the “heart of the matter,” and say “something really touched my heart.”   The heart often represents the core, essence, the most vital part, even the soul of something.  At the very center of our being, God has inscribed God’s law.  Amazing; wonderful actually!

The word “law,” can seem distant, cold, demanding; to be about regulations and penalties.  But the law written on our hearts is the great law—love of God with all our being and love of neighbor as our selves.    Remember seeing the bumper sticker “practice random acts of kindness?”  And seeing a tiny baby, a toddler taking first steps, someone coping bravely with a disability, your grandparents on Thanksgiving Day or children coming down the stairs early Christmas morning?  Something indeed is written upon our hearts that calls us to care, to be compassionate, to stand with another, to love, to act as God’s people.

One semester I lived in Japan teaching classes in English to Japanese students who wanted to complete their college degrees in the US.  Knowing only a few essential phrases in Japanese, my anxiety was raised whenever I ventured downtown, tried to buy groceries, and especially when I took a three-hour train trip by myself.  Yet wherever I went strangers did their best to help me.

For some, a visit to a hospital, a doctor’s office or to the business office to learn about bills and insurance can be like visiting a foreign land.  Working in health care allows daily opportunities to notice, to listen, to care and to assist others.  From the positive remarks I hear from patients and their families about our health care facilities, that great law of God must truly be written on the hearts of those who work there.

Holy One, we give you thanks
For the law of love written in our hearts,
And for the many opportunities we have each day
To be of service to others.
Bless our efforts to be your faithful servants.
We ask this is Jesus’s name.  Amen.

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