LENTEN SKIN-SHEDDING

As we reach the halfway stage of our Lenten journey, it is good to pause to check in how ‘we’ are doing. Did you notice what I just said? Checking to see how ‘we’ are doing. This Lent I have once again noticed how much I like to be in control of my life, to be “in charge.” Probably most of us think we know what is best for us and tend to forget that we need help and guidance from God.

As the word Lent “stems from the old English word lencten springtime, spring” on Ash Wednesday I decided to do some internal spring cleaning during this Lent. Since I have always liked the prayer, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” Psalm 51:10, this was what I prayed for. In hindsight, I remember thinking, “Be careful what you wish [or pray] for.”  Though “my” plans focused on getting ready for some almighty spring-cleaning of my heart, that became secondary to what transpired. An allergic reaction to a new medication caused my skin to peel and shed. 

Then, just before Lent, I stumbled upon the reflection, A Time for Skin-shedding by Joyce Rupp.  As if that were not enough of a ‘God-incidence’, a friend also forwarded her reflection to me. Though the title instantly resonated with me, it was her closing sentence which really got my attention, “May this Lent be a time of skin-shedding for you, my readers, a time when you discern what are your strengths and what are your weaknesses.” As I pondered these words, I thought to myself, “Okay God, I am shedding my skin - what is the message here?”

In the first reading on this Third Sunday of Lent, we hear about Moses at the burning bush, where he hears God tell him, “Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” I doubt that God was asking me to remove my skin. However, prompted by Joyce Rupp’s reflection, I wondered whether God was wanting me to see how spiritual skin-shedding could help me discover what my strengths are and what weaknesses are keeping me from growing.  Was I encouraged to shed my spiritual skin so I could grow spiritually?” How could I shed my spiritual skin this Lent?  In Ephesians 4:22 we read, “Strip yourself of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] … And put on the new nature, [the regenerate self] created in God’s image.” I, who like to be in control of my life, certainly would need God’s help to shed my spiritual skin not just once but again and again.

Lent is the time to remove obstacles to grace. Our gracious God is like the gardener in the Gospel who said to the owner of a fig tree not bearing fruit, let me “dig around it and put manure on it.” God patiently works on the soil of our lives and often in unexpected ways, like using skin-shedding to teach me. The ‘manure’ in our lives tends to be full of surprises. Thankfully, it also contains the graces we need to help us shed spiritually and learn to embrace our weaknesses and bring out the best in us, who are wonderfully made. With God’s grace we can change and grow throughout this Lent so by Easter we will not be the ‘con-version’ of ourselves but the true women and men created in God’s image and likeness and comfortable in our own skin.

Sr. Magdalena Vogt, cps

IMAGES: Josh Applegate/Grant Whitty| Unsplash

Today's Man of Hope

I have found the last couple of weeks to be serendipitous because I have been reading Pope Francis's new autobiography at the same time as he is hospitalized in Rome. Titled Hope, and released in early 2025, Pope Francis’ writing outlines the trajectory of his life from his birth in Italy in 1936 to the present.  Due to war and hardship in Italy, the Bergoglio family and children migrated to Buenos Aires in Argentina.  This thread of what today looks like almost global migration runs through the pope’s recollections from start to finish.  He shares many anecdotes of constant war time experiences throughout his life.  Besides his life stories, there are his many recollections of Fr. Bergoglio as Jesuit priest, bishop, cardinal and finally as his installation as Bishop of Rome and pope twelve years ago.

Looking back, Pope Francis comments that despite war and turmoil, the young Georgio Mario Bergoglio enjoyed a happy childhood in a faith-filled family.  He was a good student and enjoyed music and opera and had a life-long affinity for soccer.  As he grew to manhood, Georgio felt drawn to a life of service and religious commitment.  Pope Francis takes time to reflect on his ordination as a Jesuit priest on Dec. 13, 1969, Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and installation as Bishop of Rome on March 13, 2013.  Since then, Pope Francis has visited many places worldwide and is always a harbinger of faith and hope in troubled times. He has a special place in his heart in defense of the hungry, poor, immigrants and the marginalized.  In addition, he has made 32 apostolic journeys and addressed many crucial issues.

As I turn the last page on our Holy Father’s amazing autobiography, world media is giving updates on the precarious health of this brave man. I thank God for his enormous care of souls, work for peace and hope for our world.                                    

-Sister Jean Moylan, csj

The Third Sunday of Lent - Are you Curious?

The Scripture readings for the third Sunday of Lent (Year C), advances a belief that one can have a personal relationship with the Divine.

Moses sees a bush burning but is not being consumed.  He is curious.  He moves closer.

He hears a voice call his name “Moses”.   To hear one’s name is to believe that one is known. The voice warns Moses that he treads on holy ground and is to remove his shoes.

During this intimate encounter Moses learns his mission in life and learns the name of the Master pursuing him, “I AM, WHO I AM”.  This Divine voice identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. 

The personal relationship established in this encounter will require trust and faithful obedience if it is to continue. God reveals Himself to Moses; the encounter begins with simple curiosity but evolves into an extraordinary exchange with the Divine.  Moses must now have a heart that remains humble and faithful to God.

In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus tells the story of another tree-the fig tree that is not bearing fruit.  In his parable, the owner of the vineyard wants to cut down the fig tree, but a compassionate gardener pleads for more time to nurture it before cutting the tree down. 

Everything is being done to bring the tree to the fulfilment of its purpose for being that is, to bear fruit.  The owner of the vineyard grants one more year of life to the fig tree.  Jesus is teaching a lesson of mercy to his disciples.  By gratefully receiving the mercy of the owner of the vineyard and accepting the compassionate care of the gardener the fig tree is given extra time to bear fruit. In a personal relationship with the Divine each is given the gift of mercy and time to bear good fruit.

Now is there a tree in your life that can pique your curiosity and draw you into an extraordinary relationship with the Divine?

-Sister Elaine Cole, CSJ

Images: Unsplash: Andy Watkins/Michal Hlaváč/