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Men of Epiphany will be meeting this Saturday, March 10th, 6:30 a.m. in the Hearth room. If you can make it, this study is a marvelous preparation for each week's Mass readings.

Regarding the readings: On the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of lent in Years 'B' and 'C', there are two sets of readings assigned by the Church. Although I don't know which readings Epiphany will be using, we are using the readings from year 'C' here, as that is what the reflection is based on. Click here for the year 'A' readings if you are interested in reading those as well.

Invite someone to come with you!

Click here for a PDF of this week's study.   Click here for the study in a Word document. 

Click here for the year 'C' readings in a PDF format    Click here for the year 'C' readings in a Word format

Responding to the Grace of God in Our Lives

Sunday, March 11, 2007
Third Sunday in Lent
Exodus 3:1-8,13-15
Psalm 103:1-4,6-8,11
1 Corinthians 10:1-6,10-12
Luke 13:1-9

Click here for readings  (For quick review only; bring your Bible)

It all started so well: God’s protective cloud overshadowed them. He fed them with manna in the wilderness. He even made water flow from a rock! So why did it take the Israelites a full forty years to get to the Promised Land? And why did so few who set out survive the journey? Wasn’t God powerful enough?

All of these divine encounters are summed up and capped off by the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration. If none of the other stories in the Bible convinces us, perhaps this amazing event can help us believe that communication with heaven really is possible.

We may as well ask the same question about ourselves. We have been made a new creation through the gift of Baptism. We eat the spiritual food of the Eucharist. We have the “protective cloud” of the Holy Spirit, who was released at our Confirmation. Why, then, aren’t we living in the complete holiness that all of these sacraments should be guaranteeing us?

Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, who is the preacher to the papal household, explains this mystery through the concept of a “bound” sacrament: “A sacrament is called bound if the fruit that should accompany it remains tied up because of certain blocks that prevent its effectiveness. An extreme example of this is the Sacrament of Matrimony or Holy Orders received in the state of mortal sin. In such circumstances, these sacraments cannot grant any grace until the obstacle of sin is removed through penance. Once this happens, the sacrament is said to live again thanks to the indelible character and irrevocability of the gift of God.

“The sacraments are not magical rituals that act mechanically, without the person’s knowledge or disregarding any response on his part. Their effectiveness is the fruit of cooperation between divine omnipotence and human freedom, because as St. Augustine said, ‘The one who created you without your cooperation will not save without your cooperation.’”

God never stops pouring grace upon grace into our hearts. The sacraments can be renewed and revitalized in our lives. How? Through repentance, by yielding to the Spirit’s movements, and by obeying the word of God. When God’s grace and our response come together, we can experience true breakthroughs. Miracles really are possible!

“Jesus, I surrender to you and ask you to release your Spirit in me. Lord, I want to live in your victory!”

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1.    For the second week in a row, we read in the first reading of God’s recommitting himself in covenant to his people for the purpose of “rescuing them.” In what ways has God rescued you from the power of sin and the devil? What are the areas of your life that still need God’s intervention? Take some time to pray for one another for the strength to overcome these areas.

2.    The Responsorial Psalm tells us that God is “kind and merciful.” As Christians we are called to be imitators of Christ who “pardons all your iniquities, heals all your ills. He redeems your life from destruction, crowns you with kindness and compassion” (Psalm 103:3-4). Since Christ has done this for you, what are some ways you can show kindness and compassion to others, and pardon others’ iniquities, especially those who have wronged you?

3.    In the second reading, St. Paul reminds the Corinthians not to “grumble”, which for us can often be a cause of disunity and harm to others. What practical steps can you take individually, and as a group, to build up your families’ or your fellow parishioners’ faith?

4.    In the Gospel reading, Jesus warns us of the danger of assuming that the sufferings or misfortunes of others are caused by their sin. Are you judgmental? How can you reach out more to others who are suffering?

5.    Also in the Gospel reading, Jesus tells a parable on the importance he attaches to our lives’ bearing fruit. What are some of the fruits Jesus may be asking you to bear this Lent?

6.    In the meditation today, we hear these words of St. Augustine, “The one who created you without your cooperation will not save without your cooperation.” What do you believe St. Augustine meant by these words? How do they apply to your life?

Come Holy Spirit!  ~  Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and en kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, you taught the hearts of your faithful by sending them the light of your Holy Spirit. In that same spirit give us your right judgment and the joy of your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayer to St. Joseph  ~  Glorious St. Joseph, guide and protector of the Holy Family, we ask that you obtain for us from your son, Jesus, the strength and wisdom to lead our families to their Father in heaven. Most Chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we imitate your obedience to the will of God and be ever mindful of the vocation to which we have been called. Amen