Collect and Gospel reflection 3rd Sunday Lent

COLLECT AND GOSPEL REFLECTION

The Mass _ Collect and Gospel Reflection Series 

COLLECT FOR THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR C

The Collect for Third Sunday of Lent year C 8^th reads as follows.

O God, author of every mercy and of all goodness,

who in fasting and alms giving have shown us a remedy for sin,

look graciously on this confession of our lowliness,

that we, who bold are bowed down by our conscience,

may always be lifted up by your mercy. 

Through our Lord Jesus Christ your son,

who reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS 

In making this prayer tangible for during the week, the following reflection questions emerged:

1.    What does mercy and goodness mean to me?

2.    How is my Lenten observance of fasting and alms giving progressing?

3.    How am I preparing for a good confession this lent?

4.    In what areas of my life is my conscience bowed down?

5.    In other areas of my life do I need the mercy of Jesus?

GOSPEL REFLECTION

The Gospel is from St. Luke, 13:1-9. Our Lord stresses that we need to produce plenty of fruit (cf. Lk 8:11-15) in keeping with the graces we have received (cf. Lk 12:48). St Luke also tells us that God waits patiently for this fruit to appear; He does not want the death of the sinner; God wants him to be converted and to live (Ezek 33:11) and, as St Peter teaches, he is "forebearing towards you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (2 Pet 3:9).  However, it is important to realise that God's clemency should not lead us to neglect our duties and become lazy and comfort-seeking, living sterile lives. He is merciful, but he is also just and he will punish failure to respond to his grace.

I think it is important to stress that last point.  God is merciful and anti is also just.  God’s justice is merciful and always fair.  God has given us the means: for our salvation through prayer whether this is communal our personal, participation at Mass, receiving the sacraments regularly and keeping the commandments such as by loving god with all our heart and our neighbour ourselves.

Lent is a time for us to review our lives.  The church reminds us of the need to pray, fasting and alms giving.  Praying helps us come closer to God.  Fasting helps us our mind on God, as well as helping us to be grateful for the food and resources that we have.  Almsgiving helps us to focus on our neighbour.  So then Lent is really about both God and neighbour.  The church therefore gives us this time of lent to review our lives in these areas.  Lent is a blessing that Jesus gives us through His church.

We know we are human and we made mistakes, sin and also omit to do good when we could have done.  So we need to repent and believe the good news.  God wants us to be converted and live.  God does not want us to be bowed down by our sins or make the mistake of thinking that we are perfect.  

We know we are not perfect, but pride or fear may be get in the way of us using the sacrament of Reconciliation.  We need to remember that women use the sacrament us reconciliation, but we are confessing our sins to God.  The priest is there to help us make a good confession and give us advice and: he gives us absolution.  God wants us to be converted and to live freely without a murmur of sin in our hearts.  We need to choose this help and use it regularly.

PERSONAL NOTE
I am sorry that i have not had written in the last couple of weeks. I have forced rest with a frozen shoulder. I have not been able to do any computer  work. It has been most frustrating. I am beginning to feel better now, but cannot be on the computer too long. Hope to be at full strength soon.