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3^rd Sunday of Lent – March 23, 2025

The Holy Spirit gave me a jolt, a sudden reminder, that I said yes to writing the reflection for this Sunday. I am sure you have all felt this nudge. We are so loved by God. So here I am Lord, “I have come to do your will”.

The title of my reflection comes from the 1^st Reading for today, from Exodus. Moses leads the people out of Egypt to a land of milk and honey. The journey took many days and involved many hardships – like Jesus being in the wilderness. Moses takes time to be alone, as he isn’t sure what he is doing. He came upon a mountain called Horeb. An angel appears to him, a reassurance that he is where he is supposed to be at this time. Moses saw the angel in a blaze of fire, stunned with the sight as the burning bush wasn’t consumed. I am sure he was star struck, then a voice said “Moses, Moses”; the voice of God saying “Come no closer!  Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” I am reminded of the prayer of gratitude, to walk on the grass barefoot to ground ourselves, to take moments of awe as we walk on Holy Ground. Still others lay their body on the ground and feel the love of creation. Moses needed to do this, to be able to continue with leading the people. To take the time to ground himself, as at times we feel unsure of where we are going. So listen to the quiet and maybe you will hear God.

The Gospel today speaks about sinners, comparing sinners, some being worse than others. None the less we are all sinners and that awful feeling of remorse and guilt is felt and weighs heavy on us. Jesus tells us that unless you repent, you will all perish. Boongideh ndaadis is what we need to do. Talk to the Lord and repent, he will lighten our load. We are close to Jesus in the wilderness during our time of feeling unworthy, when we look at our dryness. What we need is to ask for forgiveness and repent, sweat like Jesus. Maybe take a step further and go to confession.

The Responsorial Psalm is like a warm hug. The Lord is merciful and gracious. Our God is an awesome God. He is slow to anger (I should work on this) and he is abounding in steadfast love.

Margaret Tish Manitowabi

by Eddie MacDonald

There are several themes this week in the readings.  Moses shares how his ancestors made their way and established in Egypt, only to be made slaves.  Through God’s powerful intercession they became free, following the Holy Spirit by a pillar of fire during the day and a pillar of smoke at night.  God protected them and, when they finally arrived in the land of milk and honey, they were to show their gratitude by offering the first fruit – not the second after they ate, but the first.  This was to prepare them for sacrifice, giving the best for God first.  When we give the best piece of pie or the first bite of your warm biscuit that is dripping with butter and jam to your loved one, you are giving it to God, as God is love.

God takes care of us, as we hear in Psalm 91.  This was a Psalm which the Jewish people would recite at night – addressing their fears of the dark.  Taking comfort that the angels surrounded their tents so they could rest and knowing that if they just called on His name, He would take care of them.  As a child I remember reciting the prayer “Now I lay me down to sleep” and as I grew, I became “friends” with my Guardian Angel.  We are encouraged to ask God for his protection and to lean into our Guardian Angel, created just for us.  God responds with love and joy because we call on His name.

In the second reading we are reminded about keeping the Word close to our hearts and pronouncing it through our mouths.  This is Jesus, the Word!  “For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.” How simple, how beautiful!  In our faith we wrap our hearts around Jesus, the one who died and was raised from the dead.  In our speaking we share Him with others, using the Word – the stories we know of Jesus, and because we do so, we gain eternal life. Whoa!!

Finally, in the Gospel the devil tempts Jesus three times using what we humans would find appealing – comfort (a full belly), power (being the boss of everyone) and prestige (put God to the test).  Yet Jesus uses the Word – Scripture to put that temptation to rest.  Knowing the Angels would be present to save Jesus, the devil quoted Scripture to try to convince Jesus to go ahead, just try and see for sure… Jesus threw Scripture back at him, “You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.”

So we see, on this first Sunday of Lent, our own beginnings.  We too will sacrifice to show our God that we honour him first above all.  We will be tempted to return to the old ways, to fail, to give up.  But if we can see that it is through these very temptations that we grow spiritually closer to God, then we will prevail.  Call on the Word, call on your Guadian Angel to assist you and have hope.  Hold fast! It is always darkest before the light.

As the Church across the world prepares for the Feast of Easter, a Lenten time is ‘scheduled’. While we envision stacks of pancakes dripping with butter and syrup, we remember that Ash Wednesday follows, leading us into the Lenten practice of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

It really is a sorting out time: the good fruit from the bad fruit of our lives. What burdens our spirit, mind and heart is what we are asked to attend to…in the wilderness with Jesus. Is it grief, insults, back-handed conversation, loss of a loved one, lies, your job or your health, abuse of any kind? Are these the specks that have become the ‘logs in your own eye’ to which Jesus refers? (Luke 6:39-45)

I wonder if, over the 6 weeks of Lent, decluttering rooms of the house, or the shed or garage, might help to sort out the interior disposition of our hearts and minds – dispositions that guide our life toward producing good fruit, or away from it. Allowing ourselves the time to be in that wilderness with Jesus might be helpful. We might head to the pantry to cull what is not being used appropriately and share it, or to the clothes closets, or get some order to the bill payments. What about ‘eating clean?’ Efforts to declutter our diet from fats and sugar overload?

Jesus asks, “Can the blind lead the blind?” I really need to ask myself who I am following when it comes to behaviours. Are they good examples, with a history of desiring to produce good fruit? If they are not, it is likely time for a change, to see and experience what is on the other side of the mountain…coming out of the wilderness with Jesus.

It is the Creator’s desire for His children to live fruitful lives with joy – fruit found not in the thorns or bramble bushes, but on the trees grown in well cultivated land, where “a person’s speech discloses the cultivation of the mind” (Sirach).

A Pilgrim with you in a Jubilee Year

Mary Balfe

Paul Robson SJ

This Sunday’s Gospel reading strikes me as being a tough one. Tough to follow, to live out. Also perhaps tough to understand.

Jesus is quoted as saying: “If anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again”; and “from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt”; and “lend, expecting nothing in return”. Are we supposed to take these expressions literally? If someone owes us money, or if someone steals from us, are we supposed to forget about it and let it go, or give them even more? Wouldn’t fairness and justice require that the money be paid back, or the goods returned?

I would suggest that the main point, the important teaching here, is the one at the beginning, where Jesus says: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” I think we’re supposed to take these phrases literally, and so actually to love and pray for our enemies (or those who might want to be our enemies).

If we go back to the instruction about giving even your shirt to the one who takes your coat, I would see that as an example of how someone might “love their enemy”. The example suggests that we could surprise someone with kindness, surprise them with goodness, when they might be expecting “an eye for an eye”.

Also, if we have love in our lives, by God’s grace, then we’ll know what to do. “Love, and do what you will”, as St. Augustine said. Love, have love, and then decide whether to do this or that – and maybe love requires one thing in a certain situation, and something else at another time. Maybe the loving thing to do, at one time, is to “lend, expecting nothing in return”. On the other hand, at another time, the just and fair and loving thing might be to expect, or even to demand, that someone pays back what they owe!

One of my favourite verses of Scripture is this one: “Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing . . .” (Mark 10:21). May we look at others, think of others, with love. Or at least try to love them, pray to be able to love them. May we want what’s best for them and do whatever is the loving thing to do. Amen.

    This Sunday’s responsorial psalm states: “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord”. This phrase captures the message of the readings.

     The poor, and those who are afflicted in a variety of ways, very often have neither the ability nor opportunities to improve their status by their own efforts. If they do not fall into the trap of utter despair, they will turn to God for assistance and loving care.

     There is a clear warning for the rich and powerful in today’s Gospel. They can easily believe that the whole world is at their feet and that God is not needed in their lives. However, the facts of life prove that their fortune can be lost overnight.

    Whether poor or rich, everyone should have the basic necessities for a dignified life. The four blessings and the four woes, from today’s Gospel reading, implicitly appeal for a generous sharing among us, and promise God’s blessing for those who do it.

    The second reading exhorts us to expand our trust in the Lord beyond the present life. This is based on Christ’s resurrection, and on the fact that His followers will share the same destiny of eternal unity with the triune God.

Fr. Toni Baranowski SJ

Very often new mothers and fathers report that having a child is a turning point in their life. Similarly, falling in love, or becoming a grandparent, gives many people a reason to reorder their life. Learning of God’s mercy and healing love was a turning point for several of the characters we hear about in the First Reading and the Gospel today.

Take Peter, for example. He was an experienced fisherman. It was how he made a living. Luke tells us that he was a partner in business with his brother Andrew as well as with the brothers, James and John. Between them they owned at least two boats. They were not amateurs on the water!

Nevertheless, one morning, after fishing all night, and in spite of their skill and experience, it was not until Jesus found them that they pulled in a worthy load of fish. On this occasion they recognized the divine power at work in Jesus. In his presence Peter was moved with fear, and he felt humbled. “Leave me, Lord,” he begged. He felt unworthy and uncomfortable.

Jesus also was moved, but for Jesus the movement was toward mercy: “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” It was then that all of them turned. At that point they left everything and became followers of Jesus.

Finding and knowing God’s mercy and love was a turning point for Peter and his companions. Luke tells us that falling at the knees of Jesus Peter found healing and comfort. The prophet Isaiah in our first reading had a similar experience. All of these characters were moved and turned to follow and embrace a new way of life. May each of us also be made new.

Kind and merciful God, please give to each of us the grace to know your mercy, and turn all of us toward new life today.

– Fr. Mark Hoelsken, SJ

Today is the feast of the Presentation, celebrating the time when Jesus was brought to the temple to be presented to the Lord.  The readings challenge us to become like Simeon and Anna and to recognize the Christ who is presented in the temple. What is our temple? Is it the church, our community, or the temple of our hearts?

In the first reading, Malachi prophesied about the Lord coming, or rather the Lord’s arrival to the people. His message is a challenging one, talking about the Lord coming to refine or purify his people, just as gold and silver are refined. The second reading, the letter to the Hebrews, reminds us that Jesus underwent his suffering, his testing, to be like us in every way, so he can help those who are being tested, people like us.

The Gospel gives us the story of Jesus being brought to the temple, as prophesied in the book of Malachi. My interest was sparked by Simeon and Anna, and Luke’s focus on them. They are both elderly and, in our culture, they would have been considered elders. Simeon was filled with the Holy Spirit, and it had been revealed to him that he would not see death before he saw Christ. Anna, we hear, practically lived in the temple, praying and fasting day and night, a very faithful and holy woman. I am reminded of our own culture and the role of elders. We become an elder when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, recognizing Jesus when we see or meet him.

Like Simeon, we can accept the situation of our world because our Savior is here. We know that, even though we have a Savior, like Mary a sword can also pierce our hearts; and that if we live the life of a good Christ follower, we will become a contradiction to worldly values. Simeon is ready to let go of all because he has seen the Savior and is ready to die. Anna also recognized the Savior because she had emptied herself to God through prayer and fasting, totally focusing her life on God, day and night. Anna spread the news of Christ’s arrival to all who would listen, operating from the depths of her being.

Like Anna, let us reinforce our faith with prayer and fasting, which can transform our lives and remove the blinders from our eyes so we can see Christ; and let us wait patiently to see our Savior, like Simeon.

Sr. Terry Beaudry

The common theme of the readings this Sunday seems to be marriage or unity. However, the marriage being talked about here is not limited to our ordinary experience of it. Especially in Isaiah, the marriage being illustrated is the marriage of the Lord God himself with His creation – ultimately with us (if we accept the invitation).

The fruit of this union, as Paul describes in his letter, is the various manifestations of the one Holy Spirit, which are particular to each one of us. This union serves a double end: it is for our own benefit (the way a spouse wants to provide the best for their spouse), as well as for the benefit of the community – the unity and building up of our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a high and holy mystery as to how we remain both individual/distinct and yet are truly one. One in body and one in Spirit (through Christ).

Like any healthy marriage, and like the Creator’s marriage with creation, God’s union with us is meant to be further fruitful beyond just the spouses. It is meant to pour out from this (the life of the Church) and overflow out to all the earth.

Two people I know, who have been married for a long time, have shared two bits of advice: what you need in a happy and healthy marriage is faith/prayer, as well as copious amounts of patience. This, in connection with the above, is fitting for the theme of this week as we pray specifically for Christian Unity.

St. John’s gospel today illustrates the power that caring and interceding for one another has. Especially when we exhort each other and are careful ourselves to do all that the Lord desires of us. Even when we only bring what little we can, and we have no idea how that could possibly help anything. Let us therefore be encouraged and encouraging to one another, as the Lord will bring about his will, including this Unity, which is his own high priestly prayer – and we know that his prayers never fail.

– Aaron Neiva

When talking or writing about Jesus’ baptism, some of the Early Church Fathers talked about the water of the river being blessed by Jesus. For example, Saint Maximus of Turin (who lived circa 380-465) said: “Christ is baptized, not to be made holy by the water, but to make the water holy, and by his cleansing to purify the waters which he touched. For the consecration of Christ involves a more significant consecration of the water.”

This quotation suggests that there is a consecration, a blessing, of Jesus here – and not only a blessing of the water. In the book of the Acts of the Apostles, Peter mentions Jesus’ baptism, and then Peter talks about “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power” (10:38). Jesus’ baptism can be seen as a moment of him being blessed, being anointed, by God the Father; a moment of receiving the Holy Spirit and connecting with the Father in a particularly strong way. I would see this moment as one of Jesus being confirmed in his identity and his mission. Then he is sent out to begin his public ministry.

So is this also a moment of the water being blessed, as well as Jesus being blessed? In my own words I would say that John the Baptist, and the water, and all of Creation participated in that special, sacred moment.

Related to the blessing of water, my thoughts turn to holy water. I think we can fairly say that all water is holy and sacred and a gift of the Creator. But what about water that is blessed by a bishop, priest, or deacon, and then called “holy water”? Well, perhaps we can say that this water is extra-blessed, or that there is something special about it. Saint Teresa of Avila wrote: “From long experience I have learned that there is nothing like holy water to put devils to flight and prevent them from coming back again.” 

May we too receive the blessings of Jesus’ baptism, as we reflect on that scene and that special moment.

Fr. Paul Robson SJ

Have you ever wondered what the word Epiphany means? Well, I searched and found out that the name comes from the Greek epiphaneia, meaning “appearance” or “manifestation,” and refers to the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the world. The holiday is called the Feast of Epiphany, Theophany, or Three Kings’ Day.

In many countries, Epiphany is celebrated with special pastries, and children often receive small gifts in their shoes in honour of the Magi’s gifts (they came bearing the three unique gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh) to the baby Jesus. In Eastern traditions, baptism is common during Epiphany, and houses may be blessed with holy water.

Our Indigenous celebrations for Gimaa Gizhigak include traditions which can be traced to the Epiphany. Our special pastries are the tea biscuits containing the three hidden treasure items, “P’kwanjigeng”, representing the three kings and the gifts they brought to baby Jesus. In Baptism we are given names and so we have a ceremony to give Anishinabe nooswinan, and we gave our God-Children their gifts on this day. In working with children 3-6 years of age, in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium, I use Ininaatig jiwaagamisigan sisibaakwat for Gold – liquid gold; Spruce Gum (resin), zhingob gaawaandag, for Frankinsence (anti-inflammatory); Cedar, Giizhikaandag, used for giving the body a cedar bath after death, for Myrrh, which was used for embalming, used at Jesus’ death and burial.

The First Reading, Isaiah 60:1-6, is about light that shines, that draws people to it, and foretells those who will come with gold and frankincense. This prophecy is fulfilled by the Magi.

The Responsorial Psalm,  Psalm 72, is about how the king will bring fairness, peace, and dominion from sea to sea. Tributes of gifts will come from afar, and devotion from all nations.

The Second Reading, Ephesians 3:2-3A, 5-6: Gentiles are fellow heirs, and Jesus came for all peoples and nations and not just for the Jews. We are all children of God.

The Gospel, Matthew 2:1-12, is a biblical story where we can consider the meaning and what it’s saying to us. Let us go deeper and travel with the Magi, the three wise men of different nations. Be attentive, have the courage to be adventurous, recognize and follow the light of the star to be closer to Jesus.

Prayer

Jesus, You who said “I am the light of the world”, guide us by your light to You. We bring before You our “inner gifts” of faith, hope, and love, gifts that open our eyes and hearts. May we always follow Your example of humility and love. Teach us to share Your light with others. Turn our inner gifts to action, to show others the way to You. Amen.

Rosella Kinoshameg, DOS