On the third Sunday of Lent, we approach the mid-point of our forty day journey into the desert with Jesus. How are you doing with commitments to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that you may have made on Ash Wednesday? If you’re feeling the need to “recharge” a bit, the readings this Sunday may offer some guidance.

In Cursillo, we learn about that important “tripod” of prayer, study, and action, practices that fuel the spiritual energy we need to live out our life of faith in Christ. Examined closely, the readings and prayers for this Sunday can teach us a lot about the wisdom and power God’s Word (study) offers to us as a guide for holy living (action). They show us that words - what we hear, what we say, and what we do with them- can make or break our relationship with God. In the Responsorial Psalm we proclaim, “Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.” Indeed He does! The psalm tells us that they are “perfect, “trustworthy,” “right,” “true,” and “just.” They are, to summarize, “more precious than gold, than a heap of purest gold; sweeter also than syrup or honey from the comb.” (Ps 19:11) Not only is it important to heed them; God’s words are sweet, satisfying like your favorite dessert! So as we read, we pause and savor the flavor.

In the first reading from Exodus, God gives Moses what we now call the Ten Commandments. Through the ages, these words endure because they tell us how to be in right relationship with God and with our neighbor. Put God first in your life, honor the name of God, keep the Sabbath day holy. Honor, respect, and live in peace with your family and your neighbor without envy or jealousy. Do our words and actions reflect those ideals?

In the second reading from 1 Corinthians, Paul reminds us that while others demand signs and look for wisdom in other places, we proclaim Christ crucified!  Why? Because in Christ, we know the power and wisdom of God. We “proclaim” because we believe, and we believe because we have heard God’s word in Scripture. While others may doubt, we take a stand and speak (through words and actions) what we believe.

Finally, in the Gospel, as Jesus overturns tables and throws the moneychangers out of the temple, we hear him cry, ”take these [doves] out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” The next verse tells the impact of these words on the disciples: “His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” Jesus goes on to identify himself as the temple saying, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” The marketplace sellers are incredulous, but following the Resurrection, the disciples “remembered that he had said this and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.” Jesus’ words were a mystery to some, but for believers they were “the words of eternal life.”

Recalling this event and the words of Jesus and his disciples, do we recognize ourselves as temples of the Holy Spirit? Do we respect our own house and glorify the house of God? Are our Lenten practices helping us sweep our house clean, throw out anything that dishonors our God, or do we need to dig deeper and listen more closely to the wisdom of God’s Word? As we continue our journey to Jerusalem and ultimately to the Resurrection, may the Word of God, as sweet as honey on the comb, be our guide.

Love and De Colores!

Sue