Reflections on Sunday’s Mass: March 7, 2010

Posted Thu, 02/25/2010 - 17:39 by gary.marvin

Burning BushLent 2010: A Journey into the Compassion of God

This Sunday is the 3rd Sunday of Lent. We focus on Signs of Compassion

We continue our journey into the compassion of God. God’s compassion is love’s embrace, accepting us as we are, even as we are challenged to live with greater love and integrity. We come in our brokenness, with our mistakes and failures, and in our not-yet-ness. God’s compassion provides a space where healing, forgiveness and fullness of life can happen, just as the gardener in the gospel wants to give the fig tree every chance of bearing fruit. The images of God’s presence in the burning bush, the faithful householder and hopeful gardener are signs of God’s compassion. God wants us to be fully who we are created to be, and gives us time to change our hearts and let our lives be transformed.

This week’s core question: What signs of God’s compassion do you see in your life? In our world?

Scripture Reflections:

  • Exodus 3: 1-8a; 13-15. God reveals to Moses his name and nature, a God of compassion and liberation, a God who has been in relationship with our ancestors and wants to be in relationship with us. The burning bush, a place of divine revelation, speaks of a God of mystery. Yet God’s name given to Moses reveals a God who is always present to deliver (e.g. Israelites of biblical times; Haitians now).
  • 1 Corinthians 10: 1-6; 10-12. Just as our ancestors received from a generous God, so too we are gifted by God according to our needs. God is faithful. What is our response? Do we take for granted what God has given us? Do our lives reflect the gifts we celebrate?
  • Luke 13: 1-9. Another story about God’s compassion and mercy! The first paragraph of the gospel mentions two moments in history that illustrate the fact that misfortune is not a sign of God’s disfavor. In the 2nd paragraph we see God in both the house-holder and the gardener. God’s compassion and patience allows the opportunity for the fig tree to possibly bear fruit. So in our lives, God gives us the time to change our hearts and to bear good fruit.