The Way

For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting. For God sent not his Son into the world, to judge the world, but that the world may be saved by him. He that believeth in him is not judged. But he that doth not believe, is already judged: because he believeth not in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the judgment: because the light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than the light: for their works were evil. For every one that doth evil hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, that his works may not be reproved. But he that doth truth, cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, because they are done in God.
John 3:16-21 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father we often fail to believe what is right before our eyes when we look up at the Crucifix or when we look at the Broken Bread. Our minds don't always want to believe in such a mystery as the death and resurrection of your son. It's sometimes amazing to hear of so many things that happen in the world that bring death and life and how we rejoice in both at times. We see those in war often gleeful over anothers death, or how some weep over a birth not welcomed. Yet often is the truth that we mourn the loss of those we love and rejoice over a birth as it should be. Many of us wear crosses around our necks, but do we remember the very act of death Jesus went through for us and our salvation. Many go to communion but fail to see his risen appearance in the bread of life. Please let us all begin to believe in the light of truth, that Jesus came and died for us and rose from the dead so we may have life too.

Jesus Takes Up His Cross

The Second Station of the Cross

Reflection: Jesus takes up his Cross. Jesus is now put to labor, that of taking up his cross and carrying it to where he will find death. All that he has done to free those around him has gained him a heavy burden to carry. Not us, we don't take our crosses as easily, sometimes we shift that cross to others. Jesus on the other hand out of love for us takes it and carries it the distance. He is humble and teaches us to learn to take up our crosses with as much grace and humility as he did. He doesn't shift the burden to God but places it at his feet in humble supplication to help him carry the burden. How often have we done this as we are handed our own crosses, firstly accepting it with grace and then asking God to help us carry it as well. Don't be afraid to take up our crosses as well, because Jesus did it and he will do it again with us, for he knows more than anything how it feels to be given one.

Prayer: Our Father and Glory Be

Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem,
he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves,
and said to them on the way,
"Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem,
and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests
and the scribes,
and they will condemn him to death,
and hand him over to the Gentiles
to be mocked and scourged and crucified,
and he will be raised on the third day."

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons
and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.
He said to her, "What do you wish?"
She answered him,
"Command that these two sons of mine sit,
one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom."
Jesus said in reply,
"You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?"
They said to him, "We can."
He replied,
"My chalice you will indeed drink,
but to sit at my right and at my left,
this is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."
When the ten heard this,
they became indignant at the two brothers.
But Jesus summoned them and said,
"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and the great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Matthew 20:17-28

Prayer

Dear Father in your teaching Word you show us we are to serve rather than be served. Just as your Son did when he was with us in the flesh before he ransomed his life for us. We pray to serve our neighbor unselfishly, to do your Will as your Son Jesus did. Let us drink of the cup that you have given us to drink to bear our Cross with joy and peace. Amen