Holy Family of Bordeaux - Province of Ireland and Britain

In the Cross the crucified loses everything; his clothes, his prestige, his dignity, his life, and even in some cases, his faith and hopes. It is the path to total ignoming of human self. Thus God wills it. The workings of sin, evil and death, and all their remnants are eradicated. The seed of the Resurrection, therefore is already present in the Crucifixion. When one loses his life for Christ”’’s sake, it will be saved.

In to-day’’s gospel Jesus puts before us His own Father as our model. We are called to be like Him in His unconditional love for all his creatures – good and bad alike. Jesus says it’’s easy enough to be kind to our friends but the real test is caring for those who don””t belong to our family or circle of friends.

We have many examples among the Saints of those who lived the commandment of love. One of the best known is St. Francis of Assissi, who travelled near and far as a messenger of God’’s love and peace for everyone. In more recent times we think of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta who cared for the dying on the streets of Calcutta regardless of their caste or creed.

What about us? Do we confine our love to those close to us or do we reach out to all those in need of care? Maybe during this season of Lent we can resolve to widen our circle of friends. There may be someone in our neighbourhood, in our place of work who is isolated and who needs a friendly smile or a listening ear.

Jesus always portrayed God as someone who is not only willing but waiting to forgive. Who can forget that picture of the loving Father welcoming home his prodigal son. Or the shepherd rejoicing because he has found his lost sheep. We also remember how Jesus forgave the repentant thief and even Peter who had denied Him 3 times.

But the Gospel is not just about God forgiving us. It also calls us to forgive one another. We are all aware of people who practiced forgiveness in very difficult circumstances. Pope John Paul II went to prison to embrace the man who tried to kill him. Gordon Wilson publicly forgave the IRA who had murdered his daughter.

Sadly stories of people who can””t or won””t forgive a wrong done to them are also common. It happens even in families where a husband and wife don””t speak to one another.

As we continue our Lenten journey let us look at our own relationships. Is there someone I need to forgive or someone to whom I should say sorry?

Some time ago I met a lady who said she had stopped praying to God because she had asked him to heal her mother but he didn”t answer her prayer. After a long illness the mother died so the daughter felt betrayed. She quoted what Jesus had said in the Gospel “Ask and it shall be given to you.” Mt. 7 : 7

The question of unanswered prayer is one which can certainly test our faith. Some people respond by saying God always gives us what is best so he answers our prayers in His own way. This requires a deep faith and trust in God. First we believe that God knows what is best in each situation and secondly, we trust that He will do what is best for us because he loves us deeply with a Father’’s love.

There is no doubt that this childlike trust beings peace and serenity. We can learn it best by looking at the example of Jesus who prayed in his hour of agony “Father, not my will but thine be done” Mt. 26 : 39. We can also grow in this attitude by praying “Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you”

Psalm 51 is prayed at Mass to-day in response to the story of God’’s forgiveness of the people of Nineveh when they renounced their evil behaviour. The best known of the penitential Psalms, this Psalm is often used in the Church”’s Liturgy. It is attributed to King David who turned to God with a contrite heart once the Prophet Nathan made him aware of his terrible sin. David humbly admitted the evil he had done but he appealed to God’s mercy and compassion. Like the Ninevites, he was totally forgiven.

Meditation on this Psalm could be beneficial for all of us especially during this season of Lent when we are called to be renewed in mind and heart. Although its a Psalm of repentance it is by no means a depressing prayer. Quite the opposite, we are inspired to pray for sincerity and purity of heart and the fruit of true repentance which is joy.

“Instill some joy and gladness into me, Let the bones you have crushed rejoice again” Verse 8

It was while I was on pilgrimage in the Holy Land that I was privileged to hear a child call his father “Abba.” Walking along by the Sea of Galilee the sound hit my ears and at once I looked for its source. Not far away I spotted a small boy running and still calling out “Abba, Abba.” The man in front was no doubt his father.

I thought of the child Jesus, how he would have called his foster father St. Joseph. Abba, Daddy. And later on we know from the Gospels that He used the same loving title when He spoke to His heavenly Father in prayer.

Being God’’s only Son it doesn””t surprise us that Jesus had this close intimate relationship with His Father in Heaven. Even tho”” the Jews had never addressed God in this intimate way Jesus would have come to experience God’’s love for Him as that of a loving Father. God was His Abba, Daddy.

But Jesus didn’t want to keep this special relationship with His heavenly Father for himself. No, he wanted to share it with us. So when the Apostles asked Him to teach them how to pray He gave them the Our Father.

It was Good Shepherd Sunday and the young priest was giving the homily at Mass. He had spent Easter week with his married sister and her young family. Father Jim said it was the best lesson he had ever been taught on how to be a “Good Shepherd.” What struck him most was the loving care the mother showed to each of her children according to his / her needs. Wee Tom who was sick received special attention while his bigger brother, Mick who was a bit selfish was being gently challenged to be more generous and share his bike with his sister.

St. Peter whose feast we keep to-day, wrote to the elders of the early Church instructing them to be “shepherds of the flock entrusted to them” (I Peter 5 : 2) but whatever our vocation in life, as adults we are called to be shepherds to youth if only by the example of our lives. As the saying goes “Virtue is caught not taught.”

Lent is the springtime of the Chruch’’s year – a time of growth. Being fully human Jesus too had to grow and therefore he experienced the trials that are part of the human condition. In to-day’s Gospel we see how he was tempted by the devil to use his gifts for his own satisfaction and glory. His reply was firm and constant “You must worship the Lord your God and serve him alone.” Luke 4 : 8

As we walk our Lenten journey with Jesus we are challenged and empowered by his example to use our God given talents and gifts not just for ourselves but for others. We are called to build up our families, friends and parish community. So let us not confirm our Lenten resolutions to giving up something. Rather let us resolve to put our gifts at the service of others. We can all make a difference to someone”’s life when we develop a positive attitude towards them. It may mean giving our time to listen, to be more neighbourly, to take part in Church or social activities.