Lent is just one week away. What are your plans to make it a great one? In the past I have shared some ideas. Please make sure to type in “Lent” in the search bar to the right to read some old posts or simply click above on “ideas” and the link will take you there. Today, I just wanted to share some titles I thought you may be interested in using during Lent. I think these titles will help focus your attention on our Lord and His Word. They are:
Gospel Reflections by Bishop Barron – here you will find the daily Gospel readings, Bishop Barron’s thoughts and then room for your own reflection. Sadly as I check the Word on Fire website, it seems the book is sold out. However, you can sign up on the site to receive Bishop Barron’s Gospel Reflections via email. Bishop Barron is a treasure, I would definitely recommend signing up for his daily reflections.
Sacred Space 2019 by the Irish Jesuits – here you will find a weekly theme to ponder, along with daily Gospel readings and inspiration points to go further in your thoughts about what you just read.
Mary, A Beacon to Light the Way by Joan Chittister – if you have a deep devotion to Mary, you may want to check this out. It contains one reflection for each of the Sunday Gospels and draws on the various facets of Mary.
Wishing you a Spirit-filled, blessed Lent! God bless you.
Blaspheming against the Spirit is mentioned in Mark 3:20-35 . This verse opened up for me last week. As I read and re-read it, I began to understand the message of unity hidden between the lines. What do you understand “blaspheming against the Spirit” to mean?
Blaspheming against the Spirit
In the Catechism of the Catholic Church there are a number of scenarios that are categorized as blaspheming against the Spirit. However, something different came to me as I read the verse last week. Blaspheming against the Spirit can be simply judging others and their state of grace. Think about that. If all of humanity is created in the image and likeness of God we all, regardless of circumstance, have been gifted with the Holy Spirit.
If that is true then it would seem to flow logically from that truth that when we judge the state of someone’s soul, we judge the Spirit. We blaspheme against the Spirit when we peg someone as evil or state with certainty that someone is going to hell for whatever reason. When we judge someone in this fashion we are in essence saying we can’t see God in them or that the gift they received through grace at baptism is not present when in fact, IT IS!
Let us never forget that our God is a loving and merciful God. If He judged us the way some of us judge others, we’d be in big trouble!
The will of God
In this verse, Jesus asks: “who are my mother and brothers? ………. Anyone who does the will of God.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us: “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
The concluding prayer of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy states: Eternal God in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to your holy will, which is love and mercy itself.
So what is the will of God? It’s that we rejoice, pray and give thanks always and in all circumstances and that we share His love and mercy with our brothers and sisters. His will is that we perceive everyone around us as our brother and sister. Jesus is telling us here that we will be perceived as his brother or sister if we do His will.
Commandments
It pretty much goes back to the Ten Commandments, which can be summarized as two commandments – love God and love your neighbor. Isn’t that what we’re hearing here? Rejoice always, pray constantly and give thanks – love God and show love and mercy to those around you – Love your neighbor.
The separation
I think we often get caught up in separating ourselves from one another. We take pride in our nationality, our religious group, our political party, among other things. However, when we do this, we tend to lose sight of what’s really important and what Jesus came to teach us.
When we exhibit national pride, we inevitably begin to exhibit traits of prejudice. As a religious group focused on separating ourselves from other denominations, we lose sight of the fact that Jesus loves everyone and preached inclusivity not exclusivity. Finally, as we see in our government today and the combative, uncompromising political climate, we tend to lose focus of the bigger picture – the betterment of our country – when we start focusing on separateness and possess an “us/them” mentality.
One Body
Jesus came to unite, not divide. He showed us what that looked like. Why are we so resistant to follow His lead? Why do we refuse to see God in “the other?” Take some time today to truly discern your shortcomings when it comes to wallowing in your separateness. We complain when others put us into a “box” but in our quest to stand out as individuals we often put ourselves into a box.
Put on a new set of eyes today. Practice seeing God in everyone. Focus on what the will of God is and DO IT. Remember, we are all parts of the Body of Christ. A body works best when all it’s parts not only work but work together as a whole. God bless you!
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