Jesuitaid

4^th Sunday of Lent, March 14, 2021

The Word, John 3.14 – 21

Jesus talked with Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews in Jerusalem

14 [Jesus said:}   Just as Moses lifted up- the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted  up,

15 So that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn  the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

18 Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

19 And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil.

20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed.

21 But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

A REFLECTION

Our Gospel reading this Sunday is from John’s third chapter. This chapter follows the gospel of last week when Jesus went to Jerusalem for the celebration of the Passover, the great feast of the Jewish people recalling their liberation from slavery in Egypt. We heard that Jesus first went to the temple and there drove out those who are selling animals for sacrifice and overturned the tables of the money changers. The event we hear today possibly happened during that week.

The meeting of Jesus with Nicodemus takes place one evenings while Jesus was there in Jerusalem. Nicodemus is one of the high officials of the temple and therefore of Jewish life in those times. He was a Pharisee, a member of the Sanhedrin, the high place of religious decision-making in Jerusalem and well respected by all.

The first part of this Chapter Three (which we do not hear today) is the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus about what it means to be born again. Jesus had to emphasize it means to be born again by the Spirit, not a human rebirth.

Our reading today contains three themes —

• the Son of Man to be raised up (on the cross)
• God’s love for us
• the Light in the world

Each of these will be themes for our prayer –

MY  PRAYER

To start: Sit quietly for a minute or so:

• Recall that you are in God’s presence and that the Lord God is with you
• Read again the gospel passage – note it’s three themes
• Pray to listen intently – as Nicodemus did
• Repeat the prayer below as often as it touches your heart

• Jesus – You will be raised up for my eternal life – I believe – help me to believe intensely
• Father – Thank you for your mercy – for not condemning us –Thank you for sending Jesus your Son to redeem us
• Jesus – I desire to walk in your Light – you, the Light of the World –Take me from the darkness of self-centeredness –Take me from thoughts that destroy, words that hurt, actions that are selfish –

     I want to walk in your light – I want to walk in your light –

Jesus, Light of the World, help me to walk in your Brightness!

Father Bill Kreutz, SJ, Loyola House of Studies                                                           

2nd Sunday of Lent, February 28, 2021

The  Word, Source:  Mark 9.2-10

The Transfiguration of Jesus.

2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them,

3 and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.

4 Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus.

5 Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

6 He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.

7 Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”

8 Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.

9 As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

REFLECTION

As you may have noticed, we have made a great jump from Mark’s first chapter to the ninth chapter. Those first eight chapters layout Jesus action style – preaching and healing and preparing his disciples. At this particular moment he wants to share his full identity with Peter, James and John. They were among the very first disciples chosen to follow Jesus and now he reveals himself to them in his glory and through a powerful voice from Heaven.

We hear that they are bewildered by the events, but most surely strengthened in their trust in Jesus of Nazareth. But as they go down the mountain Jesus asked them to keep events secret until “ . . . the Son of Man is risen from the dead.” If the Transfiguration was a moment of glory, this is a disturbing end to the day. They were bewildered – we will see how it works out in a few weeks.

MY  PRAYER

Today’s Gospel is quite graphic, even brilliant. It lends itself well to the power of imaginative prayer. So, as we settle in quiet prayer, we let our imagination picture the event – Jesus in glory.

     As you prepare yourself for this time of prayer –Set yourself quietly for a few moments, Read again the story of the Transfiguration above

• Consider what grace, what blessing you desire at this moment for your life:
• a renewal of God’s blessings for you;
• a renewed sense of God’s presence, Jesus presence in your life;
• a sense to live the reality of being a son, a daughter of God in the spirit of Jesus.

See Jesus and the brightest of his bright white garments. See Moses and Elijah – the Law and Profits of the Old Testament

I pray – 

• Jesus – It is good to be here  (say that again and again; repeated again and again – )
• Jesus – Let me prepare a place for you – (repeat and repeat)
• Jesus – speak and help me to listen – 
• I thank the Lord Jesus – that in him God is my Father –

Thank you, Jesus, that you have called me to be with you –

Father Bill Kreutz, SJ, Scripture from the New American Bible 

1st Sunday of Lent 2021, February 21, 2021

The  Word (Source:  Mark 1.12-15)

The Temptation of Jesus. [Jesus was baptized by John at the river Jordan.]

12 At once the Spirit drove him out into the desert,

13 and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.

The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry.

14 After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:

15 “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

A REFLECTION

Perhaps there are three keywords for this week’s reflection and prayer: Listen – Repent — Gospel = Good News (the meaning from old English). Consider these three for a few moments:

Listen – how well the picture captures the intense attitude of those with Jesus; that will be the first grace we will pray for – to listen –

Repent – to be sorrowful for evil/sin done and to ask for forgiveness.

Gospel – hearing Good News, can we live it and share it with others. The good news – the gospel – is that the Father loves us in Jesus; the One who would come among us and die for us and be raised in glory. By reading the Gospel each day of the Lenten season and reflecting even for a few moments on this testimony to Jesus we can ask for grace to know and love and to follow the lifestyle of Jesus. This is a grace that is in the Ignatian spirit as one contemplates the Gospels.

MY  PRAYER

As we move to this time of personal prayer,  I quiet myself – recalling who I am and where I am. I recall that I am always in God’s presence — and that God in Jesus is always with me. I offer a prayer of thanks for God’s grace that has touched my life in so many ways. I pray to the Lord for the grace that I need, that I desire, at this moment.

Lord, I want to listen – help clear my mind my thoughts for this short time – Keep me still so I can better listen to Jesus your Son – Grant me the grace to be moved by his words, to act in accord with directions.

Lord, help me to see my true self, especially my sins and shortcomings – give to me the grace to change and to live by your grace that my life may be a blessing – not a curse – to my family and those who share my life and even those beyond my close circle.

Lord, help me to live the lifestyle of your son, Jesus. I too am your daughter, your son, bless me with the spirit of Jesus – what I think, what I say, what I do. I desire to live in his style – for others – bringing to them the Good News.

I ask for the grace:  to know, love, and to follow the lifestyle of Jesus –– compassion, generosity and forgiveness –

Father Bill Kreutz, SJ, Loyola House of Studies,  Scripture from the New American Bible. Images from Google

Gospel of Mark  1:40-45, February 14, 2021

40 A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.”

41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.”

42 The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.

43 Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. 

44  He said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed;that will be proof for them.”

45  The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He remained outside in deserted places,and people kept coming to him from everywhere.He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly.

Create in me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me.

Fr. William “Bill” Kreutz, SJ, Loyola House of Studies