Sunday Reading Reflections:

March 7, 2010
Third Sunday of Lent

Reading 1 Reflection:

What a dramatic scene the Book of Exodus depicts for us today! Moses, who had escaped from Egypt, is now a shepherd. He has been leading a simple life tending sheep. But all that changes in an instant when he encounters a burning bush at Mount Horeb. As he takes a closer look, he hears God calling him by name and instructing him to take off his sandals as a mark of respect for this holy place.

God assures Moses that the cries of the people in captivity have been heard. God will not only rescue the people but will lead them to the Promised Land. When Moses realizes that God wants him to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites, Moses says that the people will not believe him because he does not know God's name. Moses learns God's name. It is Yahweh, meaning "I am who am."

Reading 2 Reflection:

Paul's letter to the Christian community at Corinth is filled with advice about keeping the faith. In today's reading he reminds the people that they cannot take their new faith for granted. Faith means that we are called to conversion, to turn to God each day.

Lent is a season of penance, a time for conversion. Our challenge is to give evidence that we are truly followers of Christ. Pray together: Lord, teach us the meaning of conversion. Help us to live lives of service and love.

Gospel Reflection:

Sometimes when we see a terrible accident or hear about people who are being persecuted, we may think that such things will never happen to us. Some people in Jesus' time believed that those who suffered such tragedies and injustices were being punished because they were great sinners. Jesus sets them straight in today's gospel reading. He says that suffering comes from injustice in our world.