MONDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT Lent’s third week has arrived. This is the last week of Lent’s first stage, where each Mass gives us a fundamental lesson for life inthe spirit Naaman, the leprous Syrian army commander links today’s ancient Mass readings. The lesson is that the pagan Naaman came to the physician in Israel, but the Israelites rejected their Divine Physician ‘The Gentiles may not be as worthy as the Jews, but God in His mercy has open the door and chosen them too as His own, The Nazarenes rejected Jesus because of His humble beginnings, but His miracles moved them to ask Him to heal the sick among them. Jesus, however, refused their request for their lack of faith. If we desire to be noticed by God we need to have a lively faith, a gift from God Himself which we must daily pray for. The liturgy today is an exhortation against sectarianism, for the call to conversion is directed to all kinds of people. The basis of this is the universal Fatherhood of God which had already been foretold in many Old Testament passages, like the stories of the widow of Sarepta, Naaman the Syrian, ete. ‘The evangelizing person or the Christian community herself must always keep herself open to ‘universality, for this is the proper characteristic of the missionary Church, Scripture Texts for Reflection: 1. 2 Kings 5: 1-15 Naaman was cured through the intercession of El 2. Psalm 42: 2, 3; 43:3,4 “My soul is thirsting for the living God.” 3. Luke 4: 24-30 No prophet gains acceptance in his native place. Franciscan and Capuchin Sources: 1. RnB 9: 2-6 6. Fioretti 10 2. RnB 22: 1-4 7. Legend of Perugia 22 3. Admonitions 6 & 14 8. 2Celano 141 & 147 4. Second Letter of Clare 19 9. L3C 11, 12, 34, 37, 40, 42 5. Constitutions #14: 1-5; 110: 5; 147: 8; 168: 4-5 Guide Questions: 1. Who is God for you? Do you believe in the real or false god?? What are your “Baals” (idols)? Do you have any? 2. Is your soul thirsting for the Living God? Do you desire to see him face to face? Identify the real hungers and thirsts of your heart. 3. Who are the lepers in your life? What kind of leprosy do they need to be healed? What are your own leprous wounds that need to be healed? What makes you unclean? 4, Have you experienced rejection yourself? How did it affect you, then and now?‘TUESDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT ‘The special lesson of today’s Lenten Mass is similar to that of Monday of last week, We, as sinners, must humbly beg God’s forgiveness. But at the same time we have to forgive others because God will treat us exactly as we treat others. It is a lesson we can easily forget, in spite of the Lord’s Prayer that we pray daily. It is said that the acid test of Christianity lies in the capacity to forgive without limit. There is no law to regulate charity. As often as an offense against us is made, so often is there a need for us to forgive. Jesus tells us through the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant that we must forgive our brothers’ trifle offenses because of the far greater offenses which God forgives us of. Scripture Texts for Reflection: 1, Daniel 3: 25, 34-43 Contrition for sin is a great act of worship. It takes deep faith, courage, and true humility to take hold of our sins ‘and ask pardon for them. Azariah’s prayer is a prayer of a humble and contrite heart, a national and public act of repentance. 2. Matthew 18: 21-35 Jesus teaches clearly the need to forgive others. Our readiness (o forgive must be as inexhaustible as the sea ~ 490 times, that is, always. Franciscan & Capuchin Sources: 1. Letter to a Minister 5. Legend of Perugia 44 2. Paraphrase of the Lord’s Prayer 7-8 6. Fioretti 22 3. Canticle of Creatures 10-11 7. Admonitions 22 & 28 4, Rule of St. Clare 9: 1-5 8. RnB V: 7-8; RB7:3 9. Constitutions # 89: 1-2; 116: 1-4 Guide Questions: 1. How do you approach God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation? Is the sacrament some just some kind of a “spiritual washing machine” for you? Qualify your heart now. Is ita sincere, humble and contrite? Or a callous heart? 2. Is there any person or group of persons who may be wanting of your forgiveness? Have you been nursing resentments or grudges or ill will against anybody? 3. What do the Franciscan and Capuchin Sources say about compassion and forgiveness? How are you going to translate them into action now?WEDNESDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT Christians are called to a life of obedience to God’s will that surpasses the legal piety of the Old Testament. They aim at imitating Christ, who throughout His life’s journey revealed a vision of God which the letter of the ancient law could only hint at. True disciples of Christ give the most and the best in everything they do for like Christ they are never satisfied with the minimum observance of the law. Scripture Texts for Reflection: 1, Deuteronomy 4: 1. 5-9 Moses tells the people to observe, remember, and teach the commands of God. 2. Psalm 147 Call to praise God for His statutes and ordinances 3. Matthew 5: 17-19 Jesus came to carry out God's law to its fullest extent. It is necessary to observe these commands of God first and then teach them to others. Franciscan & Capuchin Sources: 1. Legenda Maior 4: 1 2. Legend of Perugia 8, 113, 114 3. Legend of Three Companions 29, 35 }. Mirror of Perfection 1, 3, 68, 84 Constitutions #1-2; 22: 2; 158-168 we Guide Questions: 1. How would you assess your relationship with God and with your fellowmen? Is your prayer an expression of a relationship with God Who teaches you to be concerned about your brothers, others, in their need? 2. How do you pass on your knowledge and relationship with God to others? How conscientious are you in doing this? Are you a witness of God for others in your own personal way? How can you do this best? 3. What have you leamed from the Franciscan and Capuchin Sources? Are they practical? How are you now going to translate them into action?THURSDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT Today's Lenten Mass brings home the lesson to be faithful to God and not ever to fall away. It is a lesson meant to strengthen us for the remainder of Lent. We love to play it safe always by being neutral, having an either-or mentality, lukewarm attitude, treading the middle road. We hate taking risks, and are contented with the starus quo. But today’s liturgy challenges us to take a stand, For there will come a time when everyone of us must openly say what he or she believes in, It is in taking a stand, and going against the tide that one progresses in faith. Scripture Texts for Reflection: 1, Jeremiah 7; 23-28 In spite of God's special favors, the Israelites refused to listen and obey God. They are the ancestors of all those who similarly refused to listen and love. 2. Psalm 95 “If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” 3. Luke 11: 14-23 There is no neutral ground in the Kingdom of God. This is 4 reminder that we, baptized into Christ, must stay strongly with Him, Franciscan Sources: 1. 1 Letter to the Faithful 2: 1-18 7. 2 Celano 119-124 2. 2 Letter to the Faithful 63-85 8. 2 Celano 64-65 3. RnB 17: 5-19 9. Fioretti 23 4. RnB 22: 5-31 10. Legend of Perugia 23 5. RnB 10:4 11, Admonition 27: 5 6. RnB 21:8 12. 1 Celano 72 Guide Questions: 1. If Christian life is compared to a spiritual warfare, how do you describe your present condition? Are you under siege or on the offensive? What strategy would you use in order to win the battle? (cf. Ephesians 6: 10-17). 2. How do you usually treat God’s Word? Lightly or seriously? Is the Word of God effective or not in your Christian / Novitiate journey? Can you honestly say that you are growing spiritually through the power of the Word of God? 3. How callous or hardened is your heart in relation to the Word of God today? What ‘causes your obstinacy/stubbornness?FRIDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT Good Friday is three weeks away. We are approaching the end of Lent’s first stage, when each Mass brings a special lesson on the spiritual life. Today’s lesson is a powerful, consoling reminder of the personal love of God for each of us. [Hosea’s people lived in a time of economic anxiety, social uncertainty and fear among the nations. They were tempted to put their security in their own possessions and political alliances with other nations rather than in God. Hosea called the people to return to God to receive pardon, healing and restoration. He reminded them that God will heal their faithlessness and love them freely (Hosea 14: 4). God is love and everything He does flows from His love for us.] Today nobody worships animals and idols anymore, But humankind acquired its modern-day idols, namely, money, fame, prestige, power, material security and comfort, etc. Many people live their lives in the service of these “strange gods” at the expense of other people. For them there is nothing more significant than craving or possessing and enjoying the fleeting joys of material comforts, Very few take risk in finding out the plan and the will of God setting aside self-willfulness. Scripture Texts for Reflection: 1. Hosea 14: 2-10 Hosea tells about God's love for His people as calls them 10 return to the Lord in covenantal love. 2, Psalm 81 “Lam the Lord, your God: hear My voice." 3. Mark 12: 28-34 ‘The two greatest commandments. Franciscan & Capuchin Sources: 1, 1 Celano 5, 17, 61, 86, 88, 93 2. Legenda Maior 1:2; 2:7; and 9: 5 3. RnB 23:8 4, Constitutions #9: 3; 13:1; 15:5; 188: 3 Guide Questions: 1, Among the modern-day idols which one enslaves you the most? Could you possible look back over your life and see the cause of your dependence to such idol? Pray for spiritual healing. 2. We are all given the spiritual weapons (prayer, fasting, and alms-giving) in order to use in our struggle against the modem-day idols. How do you fare now in the spiritual battle? Are you winning out or losing? How effective are your spiritual ‘weapons? 3, How is your love for God? For your neighbor? For your fraternity? For the brothers? 4, What directions have you taken from the Franciscan and Capuchin Sources?