“Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all my being, bless His holy name”
Reflections on the readings for the Third Sunday of Lent (March 24, 2019): EX 3:1-8,13-15; PS 103:1-2,3-4,6-7,8,11; 1COR 10:1-6,10-12; LK 13:1-9
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.
God loves us more than we can ever appreciate.
From the beginning of the creation of the universe, the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden, the call of Abraham to father His chosen people, the choice of Moses to rescue His children from slavery, the coming of His Beloved Son to save the world, through the present day, God does all things for our good. We are often so blinded by our pride and self-centeredness that we forget or ignore His love. Today’s beautiful reading from the Psalms reminds us now, just as it did listeners thousands of years ago, that the Lord never abandons His people. “He pardons all your iniquities, heals all your ills, He redeems your life from destruction.… Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is His kindness toward those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:3-4,8,11).
We are not worthy of God’s gracious blessings because of anything we have done by ourselves. Only by relying on the Almighty and allowing Him to transform us into the holy and precious beings He intended, can grasp in any way His boundless love for each and every person He ever made. As we continue through Lent, we can ask Jesus to help us appreciate the gift of salvation and thank Him for it.
Suggested missionary action: Let us hear Christ’s call for repentance by preparing thoughtfully for our next confession and resolving to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly.
