Two men went into the Temple to pray. Their prayers were quite different. One was a Pharisee, a religious and respected man in the community. At the back of the Temple was a tax collector, a man who was despised by most people.
Return to the Lord who will heal people's wounds and recreate them as new beings. This is the plea of Hosea in the first reading. The result of our returning to God will bring about the flowering of new life. “He shall bloom like the lily, and thrust out roots like the poplar.”
Ever since Satan first appeared in the Garden of Eden his favourite weapon has been disunity. Where God had planted harmony, love and wholeness, Satan sowed dissatisfaction, envy and division. He caused strife between Adam and Eve, and separated them both from that perfect happiness which God had created for them.
It appeared to the scribes and Pharisees that Jesus had come to abolish the Law, but Jesus assured His disciples that this was not the case. For Him the Law was the Ten Commandments given to Moses, and the teachings of the prophets. But the Pharisees over many years had added their own petty rules and rituals which had to be observed in minute detail: they had become, in their minds, part of God's Law and because Jesus was not prepared to accept them, he was accused of law-breaking.
With two companions Azariah was thrown into a fiery furnace, and unharmed by the flames he prayed on behalf of his people, “We are reduced, O Lord, beyond any other nation, brought low everywhere in the world because of our sins.”
Awareness of our own sinfulness is the first step towards reconciliation. But more than this is required. We can pray with Azariah again, “But with contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received …. So let our sacrifice be in Your presence today, as we follow You unreservedly.”
Naaman the Syrian was a general in the king's army but he became a leper. The biblical term "leprosy" covers a wide range of skin diseases but it was a sickness that could attack anyone, anywhere. For all of his position and power Naaman was not exempt from its attack, and knowing he was a leper he squarely faced the fact.
Lent is a time when the Church accompanies catechumens on their journey of faith towards Baptism. It is in Baptism that the catechumen first receives the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins. This work of the Holy Spirit is described in three different ways on the three consecutive Sunday of Lent beginning today. The image of the Holy Spirit which the readings put before us today is that of life-giving water.
Two men went into the Temple to pray. Their prayers were quite different. One was a Pharisee, a religious and respected man in the community. At the back of the Temple was a tax collector, a man who was despised by most people.
Return to the Lord who will heal people's wounds and recreate them as new beings. This is the plea of Hosea in the first reading. The result of our returning to God will bring about the flowering of new life. “He shall bloom like the lily, and thrust out roots like the poplar.”
Ever since Satan first appeared in the Garden of Eden his favourite weapon has been disunity. Where God had planted harmony, love and wholeness, Satan sowed dissatisfaction, envy and division. He caused strife between Adam and Eve, and separated them both from that perfect happiness which God had created for them.
