REFLECTION:
At our baptism we received the gift of faith. It is our life’s calling to nurture and develop that precious gift. Its fruits will be seen in our words and actions as we seek to serve our God. It’s no wonder that the parable of the barren fig tree speaks so clearly to us. The landowner had planted the fig tree anticipating an annual crop of figs but for three years there has been no yield at all. Who could blame him for ordering it to be cut down and discarded? But aren’t we all touched and relieved when the gardener begs for another chance to nurture and save the tree? Perhaps we see ourselves as barren in faith and at risk of being cut down. We desperately need someone to intervene for us. The gardener’s hopefulness reminds us of Jesus and we turn to him, yearning for the grace to reset our priorities and restore the vitality of our faith. Trusting in our Lord we can begin again to serve God with open-hearted generosity.

1. What important work could bear fruit in your life right now if you have more confidence in God’s loving care?
2. What great work would you like to do as you grow older? What can you do to begin now?

PRAYER:
Lord, grant me the courage to examine my conscience and admit my failures in faith. Forgive my sins and guide me as I struggle to live abiding by your word and serving you and your people. Amen

REFLECTION:
As you read the story of the Transfiguration, do you smile when you read that Peter, John, and James had fallen asleep while Jesus was praying? Of course, they were tired. They spent most of their time walking on dusty roads, being pushed and questioned by Jesus’ followers. But don’t you think they might have tried to stay awake and take advantage of this private time with Jesus? And weren’t they lucky that they awakened in time to see Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus who had been transfigured? They could so easily have slept through it all! Do you wonder how many moments of grace we may have missed? We get so focused on the ordinary events of our lives, isn’t it possible we are not recognizing God acting on our behalf? Often we settle for the routine when the grace of God is all around us. We are busy. Our lives are hectic. Are we so comfortable with the ordinary that we miss the extraordinary? This gospel reminds us to be alert to the presence of God and the transforming grace God offers in abundance.

1. When have you had a “near occasion of God” in your life? What did you learn of God? 2. Where and when are you most awake to God’s presence in your life?

PRAYER:
Awaken me, dear Lord, to your presence in my life. Raise up in me an awareness of your loving care and help me to conform my will to yours. Amen

REFLECTION:
Why did Jesus go into the desert? Why did he feel the need to take such a long time away from his routine and his family and friends? Perhaps he was hearing his Father calling him to begin his public ministry. He needed some time alone to pray and reflect on this huge change in his life. Perhaps he struggled as he sought to understand his mission and to surrender himself to his Father’s will. And haven’t we all had similar struggles? Times of decision are often difficult. We may be confused by the variety of options. We may feel pressured by our responsibilities or other people’s opinions. We may feel inadequate to even make the decision. We may be afraid of making changes. Jesus models for us a good way to make choices. When faced with a major decision, it would seem wise to step back from our routine and invite God into our decision-making process. God is ready to guide as we pray and reflect over our choices.

1. How willing are you to profess your faith in Jesus Christ openly to others?
2. Would you still be able to say that you believe in Jesus if others made fun of you for it?

PRAYER:
As I begin my Lenten journey, Lord, please guide me to make wise choices. Help me to place my life in your hands, depending on your love and mercy. Forgive me, Lord, for the many times I have failed to trust in you. Amen

REFLECTION:
Jeremiah tells us, “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is in the Lord.” He tells us that if we are rooted in faith, we will flourish like the tree that is planted where its roots always have a source of water. Our faith, Jeremiah reminds us, will sustain us throughout our life. Jesus speaks of this same principle when he begins a list, “Blessed are you who are poor for the kingdom of God is yours.” He doesn’t seem to be saying we are blessed because we are poor or hungry. Rather, we are blessed because we believe God is with us even in these most difficult of times. We recognize our dependence on God, turning to God in trust and hope. Jesus points out that, on the other hand, those who are comfortable may not recognize their dependence on God so readily. They may place their trust in their skills and be confident that they are successful through their efforts alone. Jesus cautions us that this perspective is not life-giving. It is essential that we recognize that the source of life and all that is good is God. Rooted in God, our spirit will flourish.

1. Where do you place your trust? What is your source of strength?
2. How does faith lighten your load?

PRAYER:
Holy God, you are the source of all that is good. I am grateful, trusting always in your loving care. Help me to reflect your love to others. Amen

REFLECTION:
Luke’s gospel tells us of the day that Peter heard his call to follow Jesus. He was washing his nets after a discouraging night of fishing when Jesus approached him. A large crowd surrounded Jesus so he stepped into Peter’s boat and asked him to push off from the shore. Seated in the boat Jesus taught the people and then he asked Peter to go out into deeper water and cast his nets. The catch was so abundant that Peter had to call James and John for help. Astonished at these events Peter recognized that Jesus had been sent by God and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” Jesus assured him that there was nothing to fear and not only Peter, but James and John as well, “left everything and followed him.” We may well feel inadequate or unworthy when we recognize opportunities to follow Jesus more closely. We may be afraid when asked to take a stand on a moral issue. We may feel overwhelmed when challenged to make a greater commitment to serving others. Yet Jesus tells us as he told Peter, “Do not be afraid.”

1. When have you felt inadequate to a task or role you were given? How did you respond?
2. When have you been asked to do something you felt might be too hard for you? What did you do?

PRAYER:
Help me, Lord, to be open to your call. Grant me the discernment and courage to do your will. Amen

REFLECTION:
The Nazarenes were excited to have Jesus speaking in their synagogue. Now here in his hometown they were amazed at his words but wondered where the son of the local carpenter got his wisdom. Jesus reminded them that “no prophet is accepted in his own native place.” He further reminded them that both Elijah and Elisha, rejected by many in Israel, served people from other lands. The Nazarenes were angered by Jesus’ words. After all, weren’t the Israelites the chosen people? Who did Jesus think he was, suggesting that the Lord intends to save all nations? The people in the synagogue that day became so angry that they drove Jesus out of town intending to throw him over a cliff. Yet Jesus walked through the crowd unharmed and left town. The Nazarenes found comfort and strength in their belief that God belonged only to the Israelites and spoke to them thorough prophets. They seem to have been unwilling to broaden their view of God and God’s relationship to all peoples. How complacent are we today in our concept of God and God’s interaction with creation?

1. What do you do when a message you are trying to deliver “falls on deaf ears”?
2. Are there times when you have not listened as well as you could to what someone was telling you? Why didn’t you?

PRAYER:
Dear Jesus, I am sometimes confused and frightened by new insights. Grant me the wisdom to discern the truth that leads me to you. Amen

REFLECTION:
The people of Nazareth were proud as they began to hear glowing reports of Jesus preaching in the synagogues throughout Galilee. They were looking forward to Jesus coming home and were eager to hear what Jesus would say when he came to their synagogue. Finally, Jesus arrived and on the Sabbath he stood up in the synagogue, unrolled the scroll and read aloud a passage from Isaiah that began, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.“ Jesus then said, “Today the Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” His listeners were surprised at Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah. They had seen him grow up in their little town. They had been proud when he helped his father in the carpentry shop. They had worried when he wasn’t in the caravan returning from Jerusalem. But now he says he is the Messiah! Such a claim must have seemed incredible to them. But Jesus was clear. He has been sent to bring liberty, healing, and freedom to all. He has come to fulfill the Scripture.

1. What do you believe that the anointing you received at baptism requires you to do?
2. What could you do this week for someone who has less than you?

PRAYER:
You came to redeem us, Lord Jesus. Grant me confidence as I try to follow in your footsteps. Raise up in me a spirit of generosity as I serve you and your people. Amen

REFLECTION:
It was Mary who noticed that the host was running out of wine at the wedding at Cana. Wanting to save the bride and groom from embarrassment, Mary asked Jesus to help them. Jesus balked at first but then turned the six stone jars of water into wine. Not into ordinary wine, but into exceptionally good wine. So good a wine that the steward was surprised that the bridegroom was serving it so late in the celebration. Mary surely was pleased that the problem was resolved, but she must also have been surprised at the resolution. When she asked Jesus to help, did she really expect a miracle? When we ask God for help in difficult situations aren’t we sometimes surprised at how things work out? Friends or even strangers come to our aid. Sometimes we draw on inner strength we didn’t know we had. And sometimes we become able to look at a problem from a fresh perspective and the solution appears clear and manageable. This miracle at the wedding of Cana demonstrates to us that God’s grace comes at unexpected times and in unexpected ways.

1. When have you stepped in, as Mary did at Cana, to try and make a difficult situation easier for someone?
2. What can you do this week to help make someone’s job a little easier?

PRAYER:
Free me, Lord, so that I recognize your presence in my life and allow your Spirit to work in my soul. Help me to welcome your unexpected gifts with gratitude. Amen