3rd Sunday of Lent

Some of the readings for this Sunday are disturbing, reminiscent of the hellfire and brimstone of my youth; children punished for the iniquity of their parents, overturned tables in the temple, misunderstood meaning of Jesus’ words. Thankfully there are other writings highlighted that help me to balance the seeming threat in Exodus 20: 1-17 and the righteous anger in John 2: 13-25.

“Zeal for your house will consume me” spoken by Jesus predicting his upcoming crucifixion also invites me to consider whether I have zeal for the house of God. Could that zeal draw me out of myself to act for peace wherever I see violence ?

I also found comfort in Psalm 84:3 “The sparrow finds a home and a swallow a nest for her young by your altars oh Lord”.

We are living in an all too violent world. Sadly, that’s nothing new, but that violence doesn’t need to consume us. If you have coffee in a cup & someone bumps into you what’s in the cup will spill out. On this difficult week of my Lenten journey I choose to cultivate a spirit of peace so that when violence bumps into me I will offer love.  Won’t you join me?

Maureen Condon, CSJ Associate

World Day of Prayer

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER - MARCH 1, 2024

In 2017, a group of ecumenical Palestinian Christian women were chosen by the World Day of Prayer International Committee to write the 2024 service based on the theme “I Beg You … Bear With One Another In Love” inspired by Ephesians 4:1-3.

During COVID the committee of Palestinian women continued to work, pray, reflect, and write the Prayer Service for our World Day of Prayer this year.  These women are convinced that standing together as one global community and transcending our differences can result in a brighter future for the troubled area of Israel and Palestine.  The Committee of Palestinian Christian Women wants us to join them in praying together with hope that one day, the people of their land will enjoy peace and prosperity.

The prayer service will include testimonies of women who dare to speak the truth in love of their personal journeys living under occupation; it will include a brief devotional message as well as, music, hymns, and prayers.

Women attending the prayer service will be asked to join in the following commitment of the heart:

  • “May we commit to working for peace as we stand with all women, particularly those experiencing oppression, violence, or discrimination.

  • May we be faithful advocates for decision makers working on all levels of society, including religious institutions.

  • May we bear with one another in love until God’s justice and peace reign throughout the whole world.”

-Sister Elaine Cole, CSJ

Video: واطلب اليكم (Wa atlubu) - I Urge You, by Najwa Hashweh Azazian (Palestine) | This song was especially composed for the 2024 World Day of Prayer.

Transfiguration Sunday - Lent II

The 2nd Sunday of Lent, Transfiguration Sunday.

While Jesus has successfully completed His forty days in the dessert and was rewarded with Transfiguration in the sight of His disciples, we are only at day seven of Lent. How are you doing? Are you being changed by your increased prayer and focus on goodness or, like the first week at the gym - are things beginning to hurt a bit? The concepts of changing, transforming, and transfiguration all intrigue me as we begin week two.

The Paulists tell me:

To be changed means to become different. Lots of us make changes in our habits during Lent, only to revert to our old ways once Lent is over.

To be transformed means to become thoroughly or dramatically different. It’s still a neutral term: transformation may be thorough, but it’s not necessarily better.

But to be transfigured means to be elevated, to become thoroughly or dramatically more beautiful.

What an awesome thought: to be transfigured, to be whole and beautiful. It is of course a gift from a loving God who acts in each of us.

On God’s behalf, who will you help be open to transfiguration this Lent?

Who will you allow to bring you to the fullness of beauty this Lent?

-Maureen Condon, CSJ

Image: Timo Volz/Unsplash