Category: Lenten Reflections 2022

Jesus’ Gaze

April 12, 2022

Tuesday of Holy Week

Madelyn McDermott – Sydney DOJ

Imagine sitting across from Jesus and witnessing the moment when He knows one of His friends has decided to betray Him. Would we be able to see the pain in His eyes? 

Reflecting on this story I cannot help but imagine that Jesus, when looking upon Judas, would have had tears falling from His eyes. Not because He was angry at him, but because it hurts Him when those He loves, turn away from Him.

It can be so easy to be critical of Judas as he chooses the world over Jesus, but how many times have you and I done the same thing? Even though you may love Jesus with your whole heart, the reality is, we are human and when we choose our own selfish desires over love, we are going to fall short of the glory of God. It can be overwhelming when we think about the reality of our sin, but it can also be really powerful as it reveals to us our need for a saviour. 

During this Lenten journey, as we come to terms with the weight of our fallen humanity, let us turn our eyes towards Jesus, remembering our need for His mercy. When you do this and Jesus gazes upon you with compassion, try not to hide or run away, but embrace the love He is wanting to pour into your heart.

Today’s Scripture

Reading: Isaiah 49:1-6

Gospel: John 13:21-33,36-38

Pour Yourself Out

April 11, 2022

Monday of Holy Week

Elijah Boylen – Perth DOJ

The first half of Isaiah paints a beautiful image of the justice of God. Justice that is not loud and forceful but gentle and persistent. This is followed by the image of a God who, though all-powerful, nevertheless takes His people by the hand and faithfully fulfills the covenant they have broken. A God who not just nurtures His people back to health but raises them to glory – a light to the nations (*wink wink*).

The gospel shows the gentleness of Christ in action. Despite Judas’ comments, Jesus doesn’t require extravagant acts of faith but rather asks us to simply love Him; our souls pouring out everything to Christ like Mary pours out her oil and as Christ pours all that He is into us. Jesus knows that with genuine love for Him, the actions will soon follow.

Finally, we see the witness of Lazarus whose resurrection was bringing droves of people to Jesus, mirroring how the raw effect of Christ’s resurrection in our own life is a greater witness to God’s love than any action or preaching we could deliver.

All in all, by pouring ourselves out to Christ, we empty our hands to grasp the gentle, nurturing hand of the almighty who pulls us from the grave into the light so that we, like Him, can be a light to the nations.

How will you pour yourself out to God this Holy Week?

Palm Sunday

April 10, 2022

Fr Ken Barker – DOJ Canberra

Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey. This is no accident. The prophet Zechariah predicted the new king would come “humble and mounted on a colt the foal of an ass…and he shall command peace to the nations”(9:9-10). A poor king was to come, whose rule did not depend on political or military might, but on humility, mercy and meekness. Spreading the garments where he was to pass was a gesture of exalting him as king (2Kings 9:13). His kingship is universal, overall men and women. The disciples rejoicing and praising God with loud voices, cry out “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord”.

 This is a joyful, enthusiastic shout of praise to God. The apostles, together with the other pilgrims coming into Jerusalem for the festival were full of joyful expectation. They sensed the significance of this entry to the holy city, even though they did not realise that it would take Jesus to Calvary. The Pharisees present were aghast at this adulation and told Jesus to rebuke his disciples. To the contrary Jesus strongly endorsed their loud exultant praise: “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out”. Nothing is going to stop the praise of God, whether it be unbelief, cynicism, hatred, or persecution, God will be praised. That is the highest function of human beings. We were made to praise God. In Matthew’s gospel Jesus goes immediately to the Temple, where economic interest had turned the Father’s house into a “robber’s den”. Casting out the sellers, Jesus affirms the “little ones”, the “children of God”, who have hearts to praise God, quoting Psalm 8 “Out of the mouths of children and babes in arms you have brought perfect praise”. It is only those with child-like, unsophisticated hearts who are really free to give glory to God.

Jesus’ journey towards Jerusalem in Luke’s gospel was very deliberate. Earlier, Luke had told us that “when the time was drawing near for Jesus to be taken up to heaven he set his face like flint towards Jerusalem” (9:51). As he came in sight of the city he wept over it because “you did not recognise your opportunity when God offered it”.  Nevertheless, he entered the city for our salvation. Only a few days later a different crowd was crying out, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”. They did crucify him, but at that moment he cried out, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!” This forgiveness broke the cycle of violence in the world and brought the possibility of true peace through reconciliation.  Our sins put him on the Cross, but it was his love that kept him there.

Questions for group

  1. When you reflect on the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem where do you find yourself – one of the apostles praising, or a pilgrim entering the city, or an interested bystander, or one of the pharisees, or somewhere else.  Share what this means to you.
  2. Jesus strongly endorses enthusiastic praise of God. Do you share in that desire to praise God with your whole being? Or is there some interior obstacle to genuinely praising God from the heart? Do you find that you are able to worship in spirit and in truth in the Mass
  3. Reflect on the difference between the pilgrims who were exalting Jesus at this time of entry into Jerusalem and those who gathered before Pilate to condemn him to death with shouts of “crucify him”. What does this tell us about the human condition, and what does it say about our own response to God?
  4. How have you experienced the peace that comes from the Cross of Jesus? In particular share some way that the gift of forgiveness has changed your life or enabled reconciliation.

Today’s Scripture

First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7

Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11

Gospel: Luke 19:28-40

Receive the Son

April 9, 2022

Fifth Saturday of Lent

Therese Mills – DOJ Canberra

There is a story about a wealthy man and his son. They shared a passion for art and travelled the world collecting the finest artwork to add to their collection. The young son left for war to serve for his country. After a few short weeks, his father received a telegram to say his son had died.

One day the father received a knock at the door. He was greeted by a soldier “I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. I’m an artist and I want to give you this, he saved my life.” As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a beautiful portrait of the son.  That painting became the fathers prized possession which he proudly displayed in the main room.

A few years down the track the man became ill and passed away.  The art world waited in anticipation for the old man’s art to be auctioned. The first painting to be auctioned was the portrait of the man’s son.  The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent. Finally, a man spoke from the back of the room “Will you take ten dollars for the painting? That’s all I have.”  After more silence, the auctioneer said, “Going once, going twice. Gone.” With that the auctioneer looked at the audience and announced the auction was over.

Stunned disbelief quietened the room, then an uproar arose! The auctioneer replied, “It’s very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son…gets it all.”

In today’s Gospel we see the division between the Pharisees and those who believed in Jesus. The Pharisees wanted Jesus dead for his blasphemy, while Caiaphas knew the role Jesus played as the sacrificial lamb, chosen to die for our sins. To believe in Jesus, is to make a choice for the fullness of life. 

When you receive my son, you get everything. This is God the Fathers promises to us.  As we enter holy week let us examine our own hearts – is my heart ready to accept and receive this sacrificial love? Do I fully recognise the gift that God is offering me? 

Lord Jesus, as I draw closer to you in your passion, prepare my heart. Help me to discover more deeply the sacrifice that you underwent for me. Help me Jesus to accept you fully so I can receive ALL that you have to offer.

Today’s Scripture

Reading: Ezekiel 37:21-28

Gospel: John 11:45-56

Our Good Shepherd

April 8, 2022

Fifth Friday in Lent

Althea Causini – Adelaide DOJ

Isn’t it mind-blowing to think that someone who had full rights to the kingdom of Go, would choose to be put to a shameful death? For us?

In John 10, Jesus tells the crowd that He is the Good Shepherd, who is freely willing to give up His life for His sheep. This is so unfathomable, and the crowd is not able to reconcile who Jesus is, so they ask for the plain truth “Are you the Messiah?”. In response, Jesus refers to how He does things by His father’s authority, how His father loves Him and that He and the father are one, but people pick up stones to throw at Him.

The sheer injustice of this situation after all Jesus’ good deeds, miracles, healing, teaching and being a part of their community till now.

Does this sound familiar to you? Have you ever been unjustly treated?

Reflecting on my own life, there have been so many time when I was excluded for being a woman or unjustly treated for my ethnic origin or just being alienated for standing up for the right thing.

In John 10:33, the stoners suggest that they are stoning Jesus because He is mere man, claiming to be God.

But He is God, the scripture foretold His coming, His deeds were supernatural and yet it was so unfathomable for them.

How often do we doubt God’s power and salvation for us!

When we are stuck in a rut and can’t find a way out or when we fall into sin and shame or when we stray away or need healing.

This is a good reminder of the unfathomable truth of Jesus Christ our Good Shepherd, who will leave His flock for one lost sheep and freely die for us despite being the Almighty powerful God – waiting and wanting for us to reach out to Him and His salvation for us.

Today’s Scripture

Reading: Jeremiah 20:10-13

Gospel: John 6:63c, 68c

Walk Freely

April 6, 2022

Sam Potter MGL – DOJ Canberra

“We have never been the slaves of anyone; what do you mean, “You will be made free”?”

This comment is one that reverberates through our society today as it seems the highest value of our culture is one’s personal liberty, autonomy and right to do what one pleases. If we are honest with ourselves though this question doesn’t just infect our society but deeply infects our hearts too, as the very thing that enslaves us blinds us to the reality of our slavery: sin.

In order for one to desire to be free one must recognise that they are not currently free, that they are captive in their sin, which, to varying degrees, we all are. Without this knowledge the Cross means very little, or as St Paul says it is “folly” (1 Cor 1:18). This is a major role of the Spirit in our lives, as Christ declares the Spirit will be sent to “convince the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgement…” (Jn 16:8-9).

So we must open ourselves to the Spirit and pray for this grace to recognise in what areas we are held captive. But then how can we cooperate with His grace to attain the freedom we now long for. Christ instructs us “Make my word your home…and the truth will make you free…if the Son makes you free you will be free indeed.” It is only Christ who can set us free. By His life and teachings we come to know the truth and so are able to live according to His will. By his passion, death and resurrection our sins are overcome and so we are led into true freedom in the Lord.

So no matter what our circumstances, even if we are thrown into a furnace as was the case for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, we may “walk… about freely”.

Today’s Scripture

1st Reading: Daniel 3.13-20, 24, 49-50, 91-95++ 

Gospel: John 8.31-42

At Least the Cross

April 5, 2022

Fifth Tuesday of Lent

Dom Drumore – Sydney DOJ

“When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know I am He.”

We instinctively interpret ‘lifted up’ in relation to His eventual crucifixion, which is of course what He was talking about, but I have no doubt this would have bewildered His listeners, entirely unaware of what God was to do in their midst. Christ’s coming Passion would be utterly foreign, even outrageous and scandalous, as we see elsewhere in Peter’s reaction to the news. I think it’s fascinating that here He declares it is specifically through His sacrificial death on the Cross that they will understand who He is. In this, we should hear Him speaking to us also: “this is how I show you who I am: Love.”

We could talk about the theological significance of the bronze serpent on the cross in the First Reading, and how Christ nails sin and death to the Cross by His offering, and unpack what that means for us. But I would rather appreciate the fact that, before the Pharisees and a whole crowd, Christ both declares His divinity and tells them they will die in their sins if they do not believe… and for most, their reaction is not outrage nor worship, as though they haven’t even registered His words, listened to His voice. What more will it take? Surely, at least His death on the Cross for our sins is enough for us to listen to Him?

Today’s Scripture

1st Reading: Numbers 21.4-9 

Gospel: John 8.21-30

I am Not Alone

April 4, 2022

Fifth Monday of Lent

Laura van der Linden – DOJ Canberra

Today’s first reading is full of sin and brokenness; disturbing in its crude cruelty, it is chillingly familiar and displays the worst of humankind’s tendencies. We recoil in dismay and disgust at the injustice, objectification, violence and impurity to which two profoundly corrupt elders subject Susannah. An uncomfortable account to hear at Mass and one we would rather skip over.

Yet in the disturbing guts of this story we find treasure. In the heart of Susannah, while the world around her is dark, dirty and depraved, lives a brave and bright trust. “Tearfully she turned her eyes to heaven, her heart confident in God.” This line breaks through the muck and mess and reveals a faith in God-with-us that can’t be dimmed or destroyed.

Jesus’ words in the gospel today – “I am not alone: the one who sent me is with me” – contain the fullness of trust in the Father, which Susannah was graced with and we are all called to. As we draw closer to Holy Week, and as we make our way through lives filled with their own mess and sin, let us open up to a greater trust in our good Father, who is always with us.

Today’s Scripture

1st Reading: Daniel 13.1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-64

Gospel: John 8.12-20

In His Mercy

April 3, 2022

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Fr Ken Barker – DOJ Canberra

This gospel shows us the exquisite mercy of Jesus. Due to the harsh requirements of the Mosaic Law, the woman dragged before him was meant to be stoned to death for committing adultery. Her accusers were testing Jesus. He simply began writing on the ground – maybe their sins! In any case he simply says, “Let the man who is without sin cast the first stone”. He exposed their hypocrisy. They disappeared. Then when alone with the woman he asks her “Has no one condemned you?” “no one sir,” she answers. Then he says, “Neither do I condemn you. Go sin no more”.

Firstly, Jesus disarms the accusing voices. Maybe when we have sinned we feel those voices within us belittling us with shame and condemning us. These voices are from the evil one, not from God. The Holy Spirit makes us aware of our sin but does not condemn us. Rather we are called to repentance, a decision to turn back to the Lord and “go, sin no more”. We need to let Jesus disarm the accusing voices within us that discourage and demean us.

Secondly, Jesus meets the woman with great compassion. He ministers acceptance to her as a person, even though she obviously has sinned. This frees her to receive his mercy and change her life. What a beautiful gift we have in the mercy and forgiveness of the Lord! Lent is a time when we throw ourselves in all our sinfulness upon the mercy of the Lord. The sacrament of Reconciliation is a wonderful means of encountering his touch of compassion and receiving the forgiveness that sets us free. Remember there is no condemnation in the heart of the Lord. He welcomes the sinner with kindness and love, embracing us with understanding and mercy.

Questions for discussion

  1. Have you at times experienced self-condemnation? What have you found helpful to overcome these destructive feelings?
  2. What do you think is he main difference between healthy guilt and toxic shameful guilt?
  3. What strikes you most about the attitude of Jesus towards this woman?
  4. What has been your experience of the sacrament of Reconciliation? Have there been positive experiences? Negative experiences? Do you value the sacrament?

Todays Scripture

1st Reading: Isaiah 43.16-21 

2nd Reading: Philippians 3.8-14 

Gospel: John 8.1-11

The God of Can

April 2, 2022

Fourth Saturday of Lent

Anti Collins – DOJ Sydney

“But surely the Law does not allow us to pass judgement on a man without giving him a hearing and discovering what he is about?”

 In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees vehemently deny Jesus’ Messianic identity. We hear a lot about who the Christ should not be. Christ who worshiped in the same temple and sweated under the same sun as these chief priests did not align with their understanding of Who He should be.  

It would be easy for me to shake my head at the ignorance of these men who dedicated their lives to worship, teaching and preaching, and who managed to miss God Himself walking amongst them.

“’So,’ the Pharisees answered, ‘you have been led astray as well?’”

 However, the limitations I find myself ascribing to the work of God aren’t all that different to the Pharisees’ deep suspicions. How often do I deny myself hoping for miracles in my day-to-day situations and relationships? I mean, I know God can do anything, but I need to be realistic in what I’m asking for, right?

There is nothing more unrealistic than the reality of the Resurrection.

 Across these last weeks of Lent, may our expectations, our ‘shoulds’ and our ‘should nots’ not get in the way of encountering Jesus right here, in this present moment.

 As we pray and fast, let us not pass judgement on the movements of God without hearing and discovering Who He is and what He is about as we journey with Him to Calvary.

Today’s Scripture

1st Reading: Jeremiah 11:18-20 

Gospel: John 7:40-53

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