Exodus 20.1-17・Ps.19.8,9,10・1 Corinthians 1.22-25・John 2:13-25
Most of the time we ruin, but You, Oh God, always reconstruct.
Today, we will specially include in our prayers those who are preparing themselves to receive the sacrament of Baptism. We will also pray for their godparents and religious education teachers who have been journeying with them for almost a year or more now.
The 3rd Sunday of Lent gives us further points for reflection for each one to dig deeper on our calling towards change of heart. As we receive the Sacrament of Confession, with constant acknowledgment of our faults (about things we know are not good but we continue to do), we ask the grace of God for us not to dwell on the same sins again.
This time (3rd Sunday of Lent), we are reminded to truly live in both words and actions the commandments of God, and so be able to contribute in revealing (bringing-out) the holiness of our Church to all people.
We begin by renewing our understanding of what the Church for us is, from our understanding that the church building is the house of God and a house of prayer, up to our understanding that the Church is our community, the people of God, the Body of Christ. Therefore, we are called to give witness to Her (the Church`s) holiness (blessedness).
We continue by realizing that those who enter in the house of God and in the house of prayer is not always holy (…most of the time is in the state of sin actually). As a guide- questionnaire, we utter, “what have I done, what have we done! In this manner, we realize where and in what manner the holiness of the Church is being defiled.
The role then of each one and our community as a whole is to be able to pin point the root of all the stain. Only then we will be able to find the Church` true holiness.
We are the Church in the world The Church has been impaired based on our church history and based on our present experiences as well. Let us pray unceasingly so that we will be able to experience true holiness of the Church while on earth. Let us open our hearts for others and for God`s sake. Experience of true holiness comes from God`s Grace and good use of all the graces we have been receiving.
In view of our preparation for Easter celebration, let us take a look on the Holy Body of Christ that was, in our point of view, was destroyed on the Cross, BUT the wisdom of God is so great very different indeed from ours (our wisdom, understanding). The Cross of Christ becomes a meaningful symbol of our faith. Let us keep this cross of faith and with deep joy be able to anticipate Easter celebration well-founded on the passion and death of Jesus, our Lord.
Thank you, Oh God for constantly repairing all the things of Yours that we have been destroying.