We need to examine ourselves to see who or what really comes first
Reflections on the readings for the Third Sunday of Lent (March 7, 2021): EX 20:1-17; PS 19:8,9,10,11; 1COR 1:22-25; JN 2:13-25
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
"For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength." 1 Corinthians 1:25
Nothing Jesus does seems to follow conventional wisdom. Not two thousand years ago, and not today. In the first reading for today, we hear the Ten Commandments. The first three describe our specific relationship with God Himself: we must acknowledge that only the Lord is God; we must not speak about Him disrespectfully; we must honor Him by resting on the Sabbath. The next seven address our relations with other people: parents, spouse, neighbors, everyone. We are called to be peaceful, honorable and honest people – not only in our actions but also in our thoughts. In other words, we sin when we are selfish, when we put ourselves and our personal desires before God, when we put self ahead of the needs of people near and dear to us and those whom we do not know. These Commandments are still important to the way we relate to Almighty God and to all His people. However, through the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus, far more has been given to us and far more is demanded of us.
St. Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, speaks to this. He knows that who Jesus was, what He accomplished, and what He wants from us can be hard to grasp. “Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:22-25). Through the gift of faith we can embrace the Divine will that calls us to love God and to love each other in thought, word, and action. In all we do or choose not to do, we show whether or not we are true followers of Christ. Jesus suffered and was crucified so that we could spend eternity with Him. We can never “earn” Heaven. Rather, when we accept God’s mercy we willingly do what He asks. We turn away from things of the world to focus on Him. Power, pleasure, whatever distracts us from God’s love is the real foolishness. We must have no other gods besides Him, certainly not ourselves.
Suggested missionary action: Let us ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in the way of wisdom. Every day during the rest of Lent we can pray for a greater appreciation of our relationship with God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – and with all His beloved children as well.
Give with heart this Lent. Put resources in the hands of missionaries in the Pope’s missions who are serving the poor and battling COVID-19.
