How do we see ourselves? How do we see God? And most importantly, how does God see us? “The Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (I Sam. 16) In these words from today’s first reading, we are presented with the invitation and challenge to learn to see as God sees. And that means not remaining content with the level of outward appearances, but asking Jesus, the true light of the world, to “open the eyes of our hearts,” to give us the gift of a vision that pierces the surface and goes to the heart of the matter.
On this Third Sunday of Lent, the Church invites us to drink in this beautiful encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman. Thirsty after a long walk, with no bucket to draw water, Jesus asks this “woman at the well” for a drink, while awakening in her a thirst for something He alone can give: “The water that I will give will become in you a spring of water, gushing up to eternal life.”
We were graced last Saturday to experience our Lenten retreat day “How Big is Your God?”, led by a profoundly gifted spiritual teacher, Fr. Philip Chircop SJ. One appealing aspect of Fr. Philip’s approach was the way he integrated music, art, humour, and poetry as tools to help us expand our vision of God. (For more on the retreat, please read the “Grapevine Press” insert in this week’s bulletin!) As well, the release this week of the film version of “The Shack”, based on the W.
Right a wrong. Keep a promise. Count your blessings. Mend a quarrel. Spread Joy. Where there is no music, be the song. Find a forgotten friend. Attend Mass more frequently. Fast from gossip. Be humble in success, patient in hardship, hopeful in disappointment, generous in prosperity. Offer approval.
As we begin the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday this week (March 1), we receive not just one, but two wonderful opportunities for inspiration, challenge, and transformation! Fr. Philip Chircop is a Jesuit priest born on the Mediterranean island of Malta, who now ministers as part of the Canadian Jesuit province. An internationally-known retreat master and spiritual director, with a love for art and poetry, and a delightful sense of humour, he is always seeking fresh ways to proclaim the Good News and engage people on a journey of transformation in Christ.
St. Monica's Parish