http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/031113.cfm
Today's readings offer a foreshadowed effect to the events to come over Easter. The line: Lo, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth" from the first reading offers the same sentiment of symbolism that resides in the Easter event. In the first creation story, God created the world from nothingness. All things created were good. In this new image of creation, God does not start with nothing, but takes God's own beloved creation and creates a new vision for God's people here on earth. This begins this calling to celebrate and build the kingdom here on earth.
This is an interesting time to be thinking about the Easter calling and the Kingdom as we are currently a Church without its shepherd. It took 600 years for the Church to be lea by a pope who was able to understand that the position is not one that is meant to be held until death, but rather a calling or a pastoral position of guidance and leadership that is meant to be maintained until the one is no longer able to lead the faithful. A lot of my co-workers have been critical of Pope Benedict's choice to "abdicate" his throne. By of their problem is they see it just as that, a "throne" and position of political power, a coveted title to hold until death. So many people assume they understand the Church because they have a basic sense of its structure, they've seen a movie or two, read scathing articles about current world issues in which the Church has not upheld its mission. Its unfortunate that the things people remember the most are the things we are the least proud of. People focus on our short comings instead of looking at the big picture.
God sees the entire picture. God sees us in our entirety even though each day we are in the process of becoming more. God envisioned a world built on the foundation of love filled with a people willing to serve one and other. What are the ways in which we bring joy to the kingdom? How do we enrich the loves of others? I think these are the questions we need to reflect on as we enter into this time of discernment and contemplation in the finals weeks of Lent.
Hope you are having a fantastic time in Alaska!
Love
Laura
Thanks, Laura for posting! We are having a great time in Alaska. We have had beautiful weather.
ReplyDeletePeople remember what makes news, what sells magazines, papers and what entertains them. If we look at our church in light of your selected Scripture this is an exciting time, a time of new creation a new journey with a new Shepherd Leader. It is a time when our church and the Cardinals need our prayers the most.
I want to also mention today (Sunday's) gospel theme of forgiveness. We expect high standards and we are critical when those that lead disappoint us. We, the people, are the foundation. To keep that foundation solid, perhaps forgiveness needs to begin with us -- within our families, our homes and with each other.
Love,
MOM