KAY
MURDY
Lent
is a time for hearing, seeing, and doing. As we hear God’s word
in Scripture and prayer, we begin to see whether or not we are doing
God’s work. As the Elect prepare to celebrate the sacraments of initiation,
we too must examine our lives closely. Have we consciously or unconsciously
taken on the attitudes of the world, or are our lives consistent with the
pattern of Jesus’ life? If we have faith in God’s ability to transform
us, Lent will give us another chance to change our behavior. It will be
an opportunity to forgive and be forgiven, to be reconciled to God and
one another. This doesn’t happen overnight, but 40 days is a good beginning.
Ash
Wednesday, February 21
Jl
2:12–18; Ps 51:3–6,12–13,14,17; 2 Cor 5:20—6:2; Mt 6:1–6,16–18
“Wake
up!” The prophet in our midst rouses the assembly to announce their failure
to heed God’s word. God wants wholehearted repentance. Outward actions
such as “rending one’s garment” are empty rituals if there is no inner
rending of one’s heart in the spirit of contrition. Paul declares, “Now
is the day of salvation!” This day and every day, we have the opportunity
to change our lives.
Jesus
warns against acting like hypocrites who look for approval while their
deeds are insincere. When we give alms, when we pray or fast, we should
avoid false pretenses. We must not let our left hand know what our right
hand is doing. No matter how good the works, if our primary motive is to
enhance our own image, we already have a reward in the way others admire
us. What we do in secret with heartfelt sincerity will be rewarded by God.
The
signing with ashes is a solemn call to penance: “Remember! You are dust
and to dust you shall return.” It is also a reminder of the joy of eternal
life: “Repent, and believe the good news!” With a renewed spirit we are
God’s instruments of reconciliation, mercy, and justice.
For
Reflection: How will I practice the three penitential disciplines of
Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving? How will this change my heart and
my life?
First
Sunday of Lent, February 25
Dt
26:4–10; Ps 91:1–2,10–11,12–13,14–15; Rom 10:8–13; Lk 4:1–13
In
their worship, Israel commemorated their deliverance from slavery in Egypt.
Likewise, our eucharistic meal celebrates our redemption from the bondage
of sin. Paul reminds us of God’s mercy, “Everyone who calls on the name
of the Lord shall be saved.” In gratitude, we bring our offerings before
God and pray, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.”
Like
Jesus, we must confess our faith when we are tempted to doubt God’s care.
We need to ask ourselves who it is that we serve. Do we worship at the
throne of earthly power or at the altar of the Lord? Do we find satisfaction
in the things of the world or in God’s life-giving word? We must not deceive
ourselves. What we confess with our lips must be believed in our hearts.
As the Elect come forward to express their readiness to join the community
of the faithful, we must reaffirm our own intention to do God’s will. Then
when we call, God will answer with the gift of salvation.
For
Reflection: Can I be like Jesus and resist the powers of evil in the
world? Do I have the courage to profess my faith to others?
Second
Sunday of Lent, March 4
Gn
15:5–12,17–18; Ps 27:1,7–9,13–14; Phil 3:17—4:1; Lk 9:28–36
Abraham
shows us how to put our faith in the Lord. Despite evidence to the contrary,
Abraham believed God’s promises would be fulfilled. Even in the darkness
of disbelief we can pray, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom
shall I fear?” Paul encourages the faithful to follow his example just
as he follows the light of Christ. No matter what the outcome, Christ’s
own death and resurrection will transform us with new life.
As
Jesus faces the darkness of the cross, he is transfigured by the glory
of God. Peter, John, and James can scarcely believe their eyes. Moses the
lawgiver and Elijah the prophet speak with Jesus of his exodus from death
to life. As the vision passes, the divine presence overshadows them and
a voice is heard, “This is my Son, my chosen; listen to him!” With our
eyes open, we fix our gaze upon Jesus. There is no sitting still on the
mountaintop. We must go forth into the world and do God’s will as Jesus
did.
For
Reflection: Do I listen to what God is telling me? Do I see God’s plan
for me in the darkness of trials?
Third
Sunday of Lent, March 11
Ex
3:1–8,13–15; Ps 103:1–4,6–7,8,11; 1 Cor 10:1–6,10–12; Lk 13:1–9
Our
ancestors in faith are examples to all who are baptized in Christ and eat
and drink his Body and Blood. Like Moses, they show us how to discover
God’s presence in the ordinary circumstance of life. No matter how common,
every time and place can be holy ground.
As
we come before the altar of the Lord, we take a careful look at how we
are progressing in faith. Together, our eyes are opened anew to our failings.
When we are discouraged by our weakness, we know that God pardons our iniquities
and redeems our lives with compassion. “The Lord is kind and merciful,”
we pray.
Though
we often suffer adversity in our lives, God is not punishing us. Jesus
asks, “Do you think tragic events happen to people because they are the
worst sinners?” By no means! But Jesus gives us a sobering warning lest
we become presumptuous of God’s mercy. Misfortune is meant to wake us up
to our own mortality. Difficult circumstances should be stepping-stones
to greater faith. God is patient, giving us ample time to change our ways.
But if our lives bear no fruit, God’s forbearance will come to an end.
For
Reflection: Have I taken time to scrutinize and amend my life? Is God’s
word forming and transforming me?
Fourth
Sunday of Lent, March 18
Jos
5:9,10–12; Ps 34:2–7; 2 Cor 5:17–21; Lk 15:1–3,11–32
Reflecting
on our spiritual growth should be a lifelong habit. As we gather with the
assembly, we scrutinize our lives with the Elect again. Through baptism,
we have died to our former way of life and have risen with Christ. “All
is new!” Paul tells us. We are a “new creation” through the life we have
in Christ. Jesus, our paschal lamb, has delivered us from our sins. He
is our new Joshua — Yeshua — the one who saves us. When we eat and
drink of God’s mercy, we can “taste and see the goodness of the Lord.”
Reconciled through Christ, we are given a “ministry of reconciliation”
of God’s mercy and forgiveness to others.
Jesus
tells a story of the incredible love God has for each of us. The parable
of the prodigal son could also be called the parable of the merciful father.
When the younger of two sons squanders his inheritance, his eyes are opened
to his dissolute way of life. Although he feels unworthy to be called “son”
and wishes only to be regarded as a “hired hand,” his father rejoices when
his lost child returns home. The one thought dead has come back to life.
The elder son complains that he has been a “slave” for his father all his
life, while this “son of yours” is rewarded in a way he never was. The
father corrects his son’s wrong perspective. We can neither lose God’s
love nor earn it. We are all sons and daughters of God, who loves us. Everything
God has is ours.
For
Reflection: Which person in the parable do I recognize as myself? Am
I judgmental or merciful toward those who have fallen away from the faith?
Fifth
Sunday of Lent, March 25
Is
43:16–21; Ps 126:1–6; Phil 3:8–14; Jn 8:1–11
Throughout
our lives we must reflect on our spiritual progress. Often we deny our
sinful behavior. Yet we must not dwell on our failures. God wants to do
something new for us each day: “Remember not the events of the past.”
Paul
looked at his past life and declared all as “loss” in the light of the
“surpassing knowledge” of Jesus Christ. Paul knew that he had been rescued
by a merciful God, and he was filled with optimism for the future. Paul
had unshakable faith that Christ would be with him to the end. He had not
reached the finish line yet, but he had the courage to push on to what
lay ahead.
There
will always be those who are eager to point out our faults but find it
hard to look at their own shortcomings. Though we stand before critical
eyes, Jesus refuses to point the finger at us. Instead, he challenges us,
“Go and avoid this sin.” As we look into his merciful eyes, we pray that
the darkest of our sins will be forgiven. When we are asked, “Who has condemned
you?” we can truthfully answer, “No one!” In the Easter light we can announce
to the assembly, “The Lord has done great things for us.”
For
Reflection: Have I reflected on what God has done for me in the past?
What new thing is God doing for me now?
Passion
(Palm) Sunday, April 1
Is
50:4–7; Ps 22:8–9,17–18,19–20,23–24; Phil 2:6–11; Lk 22:14—23:56
The
prophet has earned the right to speak to the people because he first listened
to God. He has a “well-trained tongue” that can rouse the people from their
lethargy. The price for speaking God’s words is often maltreatment, yet
the prophet does not rebel. Paul tells us that our attitude must
be that of Christ who, in his Passion, was willing to unite himself to
our flawed humanity and accept even death on a cross.
We
don’t always succeed in our good intentions to imitate Christ. We look
for the sword and the crown to overcome our adversaries. We claim power
for ourselves while enslaving our brothers and sisters. We grow numb to
suffering and fail to see their pain. We betray the one who loves us. Still,
Jesus stretches out his arms to embrace us and heal our wounds. We must
listen to Jesus’ words, “Forgive them; they do not know what they are doing,”
and have faith in his promise that one day we will be with him in paradise.
The
dying and rising of Christ is what Eucharist is all about. Day by day we
open our ears to God’s word. As we eat the bread and drink the cup, we
empty ourselves of our vain striving for dominion and trust in God’s power
to save us. Because Christ has strengthened us by his Body and Blood, we
can go forth and say, “Lord, at your side I am prepared to face death itself!”
For
Reflection: How do I deal with suffering, defeat, and trials? What
gives me hope?
Ritually
Speaking
ADA
SIMPSON
“As
we forgive those”: The other son
This
Lenten season we hear one of the most well-known parables Jesus told, that
of the prodigal son. We all know the story of a father and his two sons.
The older son is a good and faithful son who always does his father’s will.
The younger son takes his inheritance and squanders it on our modern-day
equivalent of “wine, women, and song.” When all his resources are spent,
the younger son comes home to much rejoicing, while his older brother is
filled with resentment over the attention and forgiveness that his brother
receives. Can you relate to the older son in this story? You are the worker
in the vineyard, constantly tending to your father’s work. You never feel
fully appreciated. Sometimes your work goes unnoticed. Sometimes you’ve
worked so hard and, instead of being recognized for your efforts, someone
points out a mistake. For all who minister in the church today, the personal,
emotional, and spiritual demands and challenges are great and oftentimes
we lose sight of the very gospel message to which we are called to witness.
In order for us to guide others on their journey through the Lenten season,
we need to set out on the same path.
Most
parishes have a communal penance service in the latter part of the Lenten
season. Resist the temptation to trot out and dust off the same service
you’ve used for years. Perhaps your penance service could be the culmination
of your parish’s collective examination of conscience throughout the Lenten
season. Study the Scripture readings for the season of Lent and weave their
focus into your penance service. The Gospel readings for the entire Lenten
season offer wonderful themes for reflection and introspection. While the
Gospel for the First Sunday of Lent speaks of the temptation of Christ
in the wilderness, the Second Sunday of Lent offers us the image of Christ
being transfigured through his prayer in the desert. The message is clear:
While we are all confronted with temptation in our spiritual journeys,
like Christ we can be transformed through our perseverance in prayer. The
Gospels of the last three Sundays of Lent focus on repentance, forgiveness,
and forbearance. Some parishes experience a low turnout for their communal
penance services. If your parish has encountered such a problem, this Lent
may be a good time to include bulletin articles or some attention in homilies
to the sacrament of reconciliation. There are many who do not comprehend
the meaning, value, or beauty of this sacrament.
Some
parishes offer a Lenten parish mission, a mini-retreat spread over several
days that offers the community an opportunity for self-examination and
renewal. The mission may be led by a member of the parish staff or by an
outside individual or group. If you engage an outside retreat director,
be sure he or she understands your parish’s vision of what they want their
parish mission to be. Speak with other parishes who have engaged the mission
leader to get their feedback and reactions. Good retreat directors may
book up early, so don’t wait until the last minute to secure one. Some
retreat masters are booked a year or more in advance, so this may be the
time to start planning for next Lent.
For
those who prepare liturgy, Lent and Holy Week are the most demanding and
taxing times of the liturgical year. Tensions can run high among staff
members. Remember, whether or not you see eye to eye or agree with every
decision, you are working toward a common goal: to bring your parish community
closer to Christ. Remember the parable of the prodigal son. At times we
all feel like the older son, working in the fields, overworked and underappreciated.
The parable teaches us much about forgiveness and mercy. Most importantly,
it teaches that there is much rejoicing in repentance and reconciliation.
When we pray the “Our Father,” we ask that our sins be forgiven as we forgive
others. During the busy and stressful weeks of Lent, remember to ask for
and offer forgiveness often to those with whom you minister. We cannot
return to God unless we are right with each other.
Music
Planning
DEANNA
LIGHT and PAUL A. TATE
From
ashes to Alleluias
In
the coming weeks, we will once again mark ourselves with ashes and put
away our “Alleluias” until our celebration of the Lord’s resurrection at
the Easter Vigil. But we need not wait until Easter to “celebrate,” for
Lent, too, is a celebration of God’s infinite goodness and mercy and of
new life in our midst as we stand in solidarity with our catechumens for
the scrutinies. Lent provides the entire church with an opportunity to
return to the Lord, to renew our faith, to refresh our souls.
As
you plan your musical selections for this liturgical season, look not only
to the Scriptures for inspiration but also to the prayers of the scrutinies
themselves (for which we use Year A readings on Lent 3, 4, and 5). In the
first scrutiny, for example, we hear the story of the encounter between
Jesus and the woman at the well, a testimony to the enduring power of this
story, not only for our catechumens but for all who thirst for the living
water that only the Lord can give. The second scrutiny speaks of Christ
our true light, who heals us all of our blindness, while the third scrutiny’s
reference to the story of Lazarus reminds us that we will all rise to new
life from death. Whether your parish celebrates the scrutinies at all Masses
or just at particular celebrations, choose hymns and songs rooted in these
rich stories from Scripture.
This
column marks the end of our three-year journey with you through the Scriptures
and seasons of the liturgical year. As our paths part, we hope that our
ideas and reflections have helped you to shape and create liturgies that
weave together Scripture, music, and ritual with simplicity and grace.
Be sure to visit us at www.epiphanypublications.com sometime! Peace on
the journey.
Ash
Wednesday
-
Ashes
(Conry) BB110, GC852
-
Dust and
Ashes (Wren/Haas) GC392
-
From Ashes
to the Living Font (Hommerding) GC402, WC507
-
Hosea
(Norbert) BB681, GC405, WC653
-
Misericordia,
Señor/Be Merciful, O Lord (Tate) GIA
-
Now (Cooney)
S&S194
-
Psalm
51: Be Merciful, O Lord (Pishner) GC39
-
Remember
You Are Dust (Tate) GC391
-
Return
to God (Haugen) GC410
-
Return
to the Lord (Tate) GIA
-
Without
Seeing You (Haas) GC842
First
Sunday of Lent
-
Be With
Me (Macek) GIA
-
Bring
Us Home (Light/Tate) GIA
-
Forty
Days and Forty Nights (Traditional) BB114, GC411, WC516
-
From Ashes
to the Living Font (Hommerding) GC402, WC507
-
Jesus
Walked This Lonesome Valley (American folk hymn) GC406, WC510
-
Now in
This Banquet [Lenten refrain] (Haugen) GC825
-
On Eagle’s
Wings (Joncas) BB437, GC593, S&S195, WC836
-
Turn to
the Living God (True) GC408
-
You Are
Strong, You Are Holy (Dunstan/Tate) GC700
Second
Sunday of Lent
-
Beyond
the Days (Manalo) BB137, S&S101
-
Change
Our Hearts (Cooney) BB685, GC414
-
Journey
for Home (Bolduc) VAO50
-
Let Us
Worship the Lord (Berrell/Tate) GIA
-
Lord,
Who Throughout These Forty Days (ST. FLAVIAN) BB113
-
Transfiguration
(Manalo) BB137
-
Transfigure
Us, O Lord (Hurd) BB690
-
Transform
Us (Dunstan/Haas) GC770
Third
Sunday of Lent
-
Again
We Keep This Solemn Fast (Traditional) BB123, GC407, WC504
-
Hold Us
in Your Mercy (Cooney/Daigle) GC395
-
In These
Days of Lenten Journey (Manalo) BB125
-
Let Us
Worship the Lord (Berrell/Tate) GIA
-
Remember
Your Love (Balhoff/Daigle/Ducote) BB688, GC851
-
Strength
for the Journey (Poirier) S&S204, VAO87
-
The Lord
Is Kind and Merciful (Cotter) GIA
-
Turn to
Me (Foley) BB686
-
We Will
Serve the Lord (Cooney) GC652, S&S145
-
With the
Lord, There Is Mercy (Tate) GIA
Fourth
Sunday of Lent
-
Coventry
Litany of Reconciliation (Warner) WC660
-
From Ashes
to the Living Font (Hommerding) GC402, WC507
-
Journey
for Home (Bolduc) VAO50
-
Kyrie
(Haugen) GC418
-
Our Daily
Bread (Kreutz)
-
Our Father,
We Have Wandered (PASSION CHORALE) GC849, WC655
-
Taste
and See (Hurd) BB341, S&S62
-
The Angel
of the Lord/Taste and See (Tate) WLP
Fifth
Sunday of Lent
-
Beyond
the Days (Manalo) BB120, S&S101
-
Hosea
(Norbert) BB681, GC405, WC653
-
Return
to God (Haugen) GC410
-
Return
to the Lord (Tate) GIA
-
The Lord
Has Done Great Things for Us (Cortez) BB813
-
Turn to
the Living God (True) GC408
-
Without
Seeing You (Haas) GC842
Passion
Sunday
-
Adoramus
Te Christe (Haugen) GC400
-
All Glory,
Laud and Honor (Traditional) BB142, GC421, WC522
-
Crucify
Him (Tate) WLP
-
Crux Fidelis
(Warner) VAO19, WC530
-
Hosanna
(O’Brien) GC425
-
Hosanna
to the Son of David (Schutte) BB140
-
How Beautiful
(Paris) S&S176
-
Jesus,
Remember Me (Berthier) BB383, GC422, WC221
-
Jesus,
the Lord (O’Connor) BB735, GC403
-
Palm Sunday
Processional (Cooney) GC420
-
Ride On,
King Jesus (Spiritual) BB143
-
Tree of
Life (Haugen) GC401
-
Tree of
Life and Glory (O’Brien) GIA MLs
