Third Week of Lent
Opening
Lord, as I sit here with you, help me to rest in your presence. As I reflect with you, guide my heart and my thoughts towards your voice and your desire for me.
Reflection
As we journey through Lent, we do so slowly, purposefully. May our senses be awakened as we mindfully walk towards the cross and then the empty tomb attuned to the Lord’s voice.
What do we hear on the way when we encounter brokenness within ourselves and others in the gospel story?
We pause to notice and to contemplate, to do as Walter Burghardt SJ writes, “to take a long, loving look at the real.”
We take our time in order to genuinely see.
We do this mindful of God’s unconditional love for us.
We look with honesty, not to beat ourselves up, but to seek forgiveness and wholeness.
We listen for God’s invitation to us said with love.
Invitation
Read the scripture through slowly a couple of times. Notice what draws you and pause there. Talk to the Lord about what stirs you within.
Luke 13:1-9
“At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.”
Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”
Prayer of Response
Holy One,
These words are hard to take in
I struggle within
I cannot begin to understand
Or measure up
I confess before you
My wrong thoughts, words, actions
The ways I let you down
am unloving and unkind
To you, neighbor, and myself even
Please forgive me
Set my feet on the right path.
Cleanse my heart and mind.
Help me to receive then your forgiveness
Knowing you love me as I am
And desire what is best for me
Thank you for your grace
So readily available
And yet I don’t always believe.
Lord, help my unbelief
Help me to live in the light of your love
Believing I really am made new.
Make me mindful
of your walking beside me
Help me to lean into you
for it brings peace within.
Amen.
Copyright © 2019, Journey Center of Chicago, All rights reserved.