LENT 2024 Week Three

‘Whereas those who serve idols become like them, mute, blind, deaf and immobile, the poor of spirit are open and ready: a silent force of good that heals and sustains the world.’

In his 2024 Lent Message Pope Francis outlines the struggle we all face in our daily lives. The season of Lent provides us with time to take stock. He writes:

‘Even more to be feared than Pharaoh are the idols that we set up for ourselves; we can consider them as his voice speaking within us. To be all-powerful, to be looked up to by all, to domineer over others: every human being is aware of how deeply seductive that lie can be. It is a road well-travelled. We can become attached to money, to certain projects, ideas or goals, to our position, to a tradition, even to certain individuals. Instead of making us move forward, they paralyze us. Instead of encounter, they create conflict. Yet there is also a new humanity, a people of the little ones and of the humble who have not yielded to the allure of the lie. Whereas those who serve idols become like them, mute, blind, deaf and immobile (cf. Ps 114:4), the poor of spirit are open and ready: a silent force of good that heals and sustains the world.'

Read the complete Lent 2024 message HERE

Readings  

Ex 20:1-17: The Law was given through Moses.

Psalm 18:8-11 R: Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

1 Cor 1:22-25: We are preaching a crucified Christ, a scandal to many, but to those who have been called, the wisdom of God.

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!

God loved the world so much, he gave us his only Son,

That all who believe in him might have eternal life.

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!

Jn 2:13-25:  Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.

Music suggestions

You have the message of eternal life by Andrew Moore. (Based on Psalm 18)

Turn to Me by John B Foley

Blest be the Lord by Daniel L. Schutte.

A new commandment - Unknown

Homily suggestions

• Today’s Gospel invites us to reflect upon our worship of God.
• In the Christian understanding, God is worshipped in the person of Jesus Christ.
• Christ as the new Temple – the place of encounter with God.
• What attachments do we need to expel from our lives?
• The fiery Jesus is alive and active helping to renew individuals and communities – if we only leave room for that encounter. An encounter that always leads to transformation.

(Ideas adapted from homily outlines by Loyola Press and CTU)

Homily Studio podcast for a 30-minute conversation about the scriptures for Sunday can be found at a link during the week leading up to 3 March. HERE

Prayer

E te Ariki, te Reme o te Atua,  Jesus, Lamb of God, help us to see things we need to change in our lives to be more like you. Give us courage to act justly, love tenderly and to walk humbly even when it may challenge the status quo.

Āmene

(from Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand Prayer card 2024.)

 Slider photo attribution: Catholic exchange 2018

Through the desert God leads us to freedom. (Lent 2024)