Monthly Archives: March 2014

4th Week of Lent Isaiah 65:17-21;Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13; John 4:43-54 Shout for joy… . I will rejoice in Jerusalem. (Isaiah 65:14, 19)   Lent is a serious season. It’s a time to take a long, hard look at our … Continue reading →

4th Sunday of Lent 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13;Psalm 23:1-6; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41 Anoint him, for this is the one. (1 Samuel 16:12) Even from the earliest days, there was a strict hierarchy in every Jewish family. The father … Continue reading →

3rd Week of Lent Hosea 14:2-10; Psalm 81:6-11, 14, 17;Mark 12:28-34 You are not far from the kingdom of God. (Mark 12:34)   As encouraging as these words are, they still seem a little limited. Why didn’t Jesus tell this … Continue reading →

3rd Week of Lent Jeremiah 7:23-28;Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9;Luke 11:14-23 Oh that today you would hear his voice: Do not harden your hearts. (Psalm 95:7-8)   “Is my heart hard or soft? Am I open to the Lord or just going … Continue reading →

3rd Week of Lent Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9; Psalm 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20;Matthew 5:17-19 I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. (Matthew 5:17)   The Jews have recognized the Torah—the “Law,” or “instruction,” contained in the first five books of … Continue reading →

The Annunciation of the Lord Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10; Psalm 40:7-11; Hebrews 10:4-10;Luke 1:26-38 Do not be afraid, Mary. (Luke 1:30)   How hard it must have been for Mary to accept the angel’s words! First, he told her that her … Continue reading →

2 Kings 5:1-15;Psalm 42:2-3; 43:3-4; Luke 4:24-30 3rd Week of Lent I thought that he would surely come out and stand there to invoke the Lord his God. (2 Kings 5:11)   Poor Naaman! He has carefully planned his journey … Continue reading →

3rd Sunday of Lent Exodus 17:3-7; Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9; Romans 5:1-2, 5-8;John 4:5-42 If you knew the gift of God … (John 4:10)   It is a constant challenge to see spiritual reality in the midst of our everyday lives. … Continue reading →

2nd Week of Lent Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28;Psalm 105:16-21; Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46 Israel loved Joseph best of all his sons. (Genesis 37:3)   Since its earliest days, the Christian church has recognized a harmony between the Old and New Testaments. … Continue reading →

2nd Week of Lent Jeremiah 17:5-10;Psalm 1:1-4, 6; Luke 16:19-31 He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream. (Jeremiah 17:8)   Can you imagine if Jeremiah had written that the just … Continue reading →