Dear Reader,
The Northeast Dominican Promoters of Preaching are happy to present the Lenten Reflection Book for 2009. As in the past, we express a very special thanks to those who have agreed to submit reflections for this book. Their generosity and their theological gifts are very much appreciated.
In the Second Letter to the Corinthians (5:17), St. Paul tells us:
“So, whoever is in Christ is a new creation;
the old things have passed away; behold, new things come.”Do we ever think about the significance of these words? Do we really believe them? Or…have we heard them so often that they do not receive the appropriate attention? In years past, we read the Scriptures in a literal manner but, thanks to the enormous amount of research done in the field of biblical studies, we now realize that the Word of God is much richer than we ever realized. And, we are invited to take the Word of God to heart…to truly listen to what we are being told. The season of Lent offers us an incredible opportunity to do this.
So – again the question: Do we really believe that “new things can come from being in Christ”? Aware of our frail and wounded natures, is it truly possible for the Spirit of God to create something new in us? Do we really believe?
Pat Anglin Amityville
Mary Ann Collins Blauvelt
Alice McCoy Caldwell
Nancy Garson Catherine de Ricci
Maureen Sullivan Hope
Kathy Logan Sparkill
Ash Wednesday
February 25, 2009
Joel 2:12-18; 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Lent starts here. “Blow the trumpet in Zion! Proclaim a fast, call an assembly, Gather the people, notify the congregation… - Joel 1:15-16. Consider ourselves notified; and the opportunity this season offers for Recollection: where are we going, and where do we want to end up? For Repentance: what aspects of our lives need to change, and what mistakes must be acknowledged and repaired? For Renewal: what steps can we take in the next forty days to become the people we were born to be?
Each year we begin with the highest hopes-only to experience what may seem like dismal failure in a few days! Today’s scriptures are reminders for a graced “desert experience”. Psalm 51 invites us to be reconciled; the first reading encourages us to return to the Lord and the Gospel gives us directions, by means of prayer, fasting and deeds of loving service. Each one’s response will be unique. However, Lent’s effectiveness is assisted by having clear, specific ideas. Perhaps you may want to make this Lent a “Forty-day Spiritual Journey” in the midst of the desert where you are presently. Then hear well the Gospel words of Jesus, “deny self, take up the cross, follow him”. Whichever one you choose, you will be choosing life.
You and God form a sacred contract to work together for the growth of your spiritual life and the fruits of your contemplation for others.
Praying, fasting, and almsgiving come highly recommended, blessings on your 2009 Lenten journey.Sister Maria DeMonte, OP, St. Catherine de’Ricci
Lenten Thursday
February 26, 2009Dt 30: 15-20 Lk 9: 22-25
As I enter into the season of Lent this year, I am very aware that life around me is very different from last year’s season of Lent! We are living in troubled times – not only for our nation but also for our world. Given our reality, how can the Scriptures take on new meaning for us in the midst of our lived reality? We believe the Word of God is alive and calling us to live in new ways.
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus says: “If you want to be my follower… deny yourself, pick up your cross…and follow me.” The call of discipleship reminds us that we are a people who imitate Jesus as one who freely embraced the cross. Looking into my own life – what are the daily crosses that I encounter? Is my attitude that of Jesus? As I listen to the stories of those to whom I minister, am I able to lighten their burdens?
As a pilgrim on this Lenten journey, I am reminded of Jesus’ surrendering himself in trust to the Father. It is a journey which will involve dying to the desire to control people and events which are out of my hands. In my daily living, am I spending time whining about what is unimportant while turning a deaf ear to those around me? Am I “existing or” “living”? Perhaps in prayer today I will take some time to reflect on how I may be invited to take ownership of my Lenten journey each day.Margaret Foster, OP, Hope
Lenten Friday
February 27, 2009Isaiah 58:1-9a, Matthew 9:14-15
The people of the house of Jacob have a problem with God. Let’s call it a failure to communicate. They are anxious for God to notice them and bless them. They decide to make profound prostrations, sit in ashes and wear rough, ugly clothes. This “fasting” will surely enhance their visibility and catch God’s attention. As if! Deep down, they continue their wickedness, hurting others and looking out for number one.
So God gives them a bit of advice. If you want me to see you and heal you, fast by overcome injustice, granting freedoms, sharing, and not turning your back on your family and friends.What type of fast will connect us with God, help our light break forth, heal our wounds? We can choose to forgive a family member or anyone with whom we fail to communicate.
In his book Forgiveness is a Choice, Robert D. Enright explains: When we are unjustly hurt by another, we forgive by trying to offer the wrongdoer compassionate benevolence and love. We choose to give these gifts; even as we realize the person who offended us does not necessarily have a right to them. And our commitment to forgive includes a willingness to put aside revenge, such as talking about the offender to people who don’t need to know what happened.
“Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help and he will say: Here I am!”Sister Margaret Murphy, Sparkill
Lenten Saturday
February 28, 2009Isaiah 58:9b-14 Luke 5:17-32
Our readings for this first Lenten Saturday pose a deep question for us. Although Jesus knows what the Pharisees are thinking after he forgives the sins of the paralyzed man, he asks: “What are you thinking in your hearts?”
What ARE we thinking in our hearts during this holy season? Are our thoughts just about ourselves? Isaiah reminds us if we ask God for help, God will answer, “Here I am.” Perhaps these days are an invitation to remember and deepen our trust in God’s deep love for us.
Lent comes so quickly after Christmas. We move from the humble beginnings of the infant Jesus to the adult Jesus active in his ministry of preaching and healing. He calls not the “holy” but those who are in need of hearing God’s word. Just as people would not expect the Son of God to come to us as an infant, most would not expect Jesus to spend his time with “sinners.” What was he thinking in his heart?
May our Lenten journey open our hearts to this loving Jesus who saw no class or distinction among people. May we be open to seeing God’s presence and love in the Pharisees, the sick and the tax collectors of our own day.
Laura M. Arvin, OP, Amityville
First Sunday of Lent
March 1, 2009Gn 9:8-15 1 Pt 3:18-22 Mk 1:12-15
When I began to reflect on the readings for today, “new beginnings” came to mind. In the first reading from Genesis, we hear God speaking to Noah and his family after the flood. God is establishing a new covenant with them, their descendents and all living creatures. Never again will God destroy all living creatures by flood waters. God is giving his creatures the opportunity to begin again to be faithful to their God. Despite the infidelity of the Israelites, our patient, loving God remains faithful to his promise.
In the Gospel of Mark, we see Jesus emerging from his desert experience. “He came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God.” He made a new beginning as he answered his call to be herald of the good news. Jesus taught with authority, cured the sick, and raised the dead. Jesus mirrored God’s love for the poor and marginalized, his compassion for sinners, and his desire to embrace all in the Kingdom. Through his words and actions, Jesus gave evidence of the Kingdom which he proclaimed as being at hand.
Last Wednesday, as ashes were placed on our foreheads, we heard words similar to those spoken by Jesus in Mark’s account, “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” Lent offers us time for a new beginning, too.
Are we willing to accept this opportunity?
Have we the courage to truly repent?
Will we strive to change our minds and hearts so the good news becomes alive in us?Loving God, we have heard our word. Please grant us the grace to become the persons you have called us to be.
Loyola Bartnett, O.P., Blauvelt