Spirituality - Reflection of the Week

Mar. 7-13

Third Sunday of Lent

In the gospel for the Third Sunday of Lent, Jesus tells the parable about the fig tree and the gardener who tended the soil with such care.

In your imagination, plant yourself outside in an orchard filled with fig trees. There you are struggling to grow, to produce fruit and to live. As you look around, other fig trees seem to have fruit. What are you thinking?

"Something has happened. I have produced no fruit this year. My owner wants to cut me down. I know inside that I am able to produce fruit. What must I do? I need to open myself up, to let others help me. The Sun will fill me with energy and life. A Caregiver will gently prune my branches, taking off that which will not let me grow. Then slowly I will feel a new sap running through my branches bringing new life to me. How good this feels. I want to and will produce fruit. Others will come and pick my fruit. My fruit will be sweet and juicy. It will be able to bring strength and energy to those who eat it. This makes me happy."

Will you let the Sun and Caregiver fill your branches with sweet fruit?

Feb. 28-Mar. 6

Second Sunday of Lent

Here we are in the Second Week of Lent. How are you doing on your Lenten Resolutions?

In this week's Gospel, we witness the Transfiguration. Jesus took Peter, John and James up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed and his clothing became dazzling white. Peter and his companions had fallen asleep, but now they were fully awake!

It seems unusual to have this Gospel of the Transfiguration early in Lent. I guess it is a reminder to us during these Lenten days that the celebration of the Resurrection is coming. As we face daily challenges in our lives, the hope of future life and glory is set before us.

The Apostles had gone up the mountain with Jesus to pray. But, they were overcome by sleep. I am sure that has happened to all of us at one time or another as we try to pray. In a similar way, in our lives we sometimes "fall asleep". We move along without being fully present to the moment, without being fully alert to God's loving presence, without being fully present to the person speaking with us here and now. Lent is a good time to "stay awake", to be present at this moment no matter where we are or what we are doing. All we have is this moment now. The past is gone - the future is yet to come. Let us make the most of NOW.

"The Lord is my light and my salvation." Ps. 27:1