Fourth Sunday of Lent – Laetare Sunday

The LORD said to Samuel:
“Fill your horn with oil and be on your way.”

1 Samuel 16

As well as its use as a musical instrument, a horn could be a receptacle for the oil of anointing, usually a sign of healing, blessing and sending forth. On this mid-Lent Sunday, when we might be feeling somewhat weary on the Lenten journey, this first reading, juxtaposed with the Gospel about Jesus healing the man born blind and sending him on his way, perhaps is intended to encourage us simply to keep going.

What nudging or outpouring have we noticed in our own lives this weekend to help us move on rejoicing – with more spring in our step?

 

Third Sunday of Lent

Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep; where then can you get this living water?
– John 4

The nonagenarian Irish priest and theologian, Donal Dorr, wrote that “Jesus unveiled the depths of spiritual power that are available to all who share his humanity and are willing to live with the kind of authenticity he showed.” When one considers the whole complex of an artesian basin of fresh water under Jacob’s well, a bucketful is laughably insufficient.

What helps us dive deep into all that Jesus offers?

 

Second Sunday of Lent

Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.

– Matthew 17

Maybe this road up Mount Tabor followed an ancient path taken by Jesus, Simon, James and John. At the top of most mountains is the gift of an expansive view, a new perspective after the struggle of the climb. All four of them probably needed that – in the moment and to reflect on later, when things really got tough.

From whom or what or where in our own life do we get a different perspective which helps us to keep going?

First Sunday of Lent

Command these stones become loaves of bread
Matthew 4

As we launch ourselves into Lent, the gospel reading reminds us that it can take long, demanding discernment to distinguish between what is true in essence and what is fake. A few chapters later in Matthew’s gospel, Jesus will use his experience in the desert, referring to the nonsense of a parent giving a hungry child a stone instead of bread.

What do we really want to hand on to future generations – and what is the cost?

 

Ash Wednesday

Blow the trumpet … proclaim a fast, call an assembly.

– Joel 2

When you give alms do not blow a trumpet.

– Matthew 6

In ancient times the horn or trumpet was used to announce to the community danger or blessing, war or freedom.

The message in today’s readings does both. It proclaims a season of battle with our conflicted motives and actions, collectively and individually, and also announces the expansiveness in the Risen Christ, brought about in humble, hidden ways.

What do we want to declare or extoll with our lives?