Reflection We begin our journey of Lent by listening with our hearts to the challenging words of Jesus. We want to be his disciples, and yet the cost of discipleship is great. Certainly we live in a world where the words "self denial" seem absurd; the commercial world tells us, "who says you can't have it all?" We can try to "have it all" -- but at what price? Lent is a time to expose the lie of the world that true happiness lies in making ourselves comfortable. Our tradition has always urged us to perform acts of self-denial -- to give up certain comforts voluntarily -- as a way of saying that we do not wish to make ourselves the center of the universe.

Journal exercise: Prayerfully reflect on some "comfort" that you will choose to give up during these next forty days. What are some of the acts of self-denial that you will try to make during this season of Lent?

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Reflection: In a sense, this reading balances what we read and reflected on yesterday. Lent is not just a time to "give up" things, but to see how we are called to do positive acts of charity, bringing God's love more effectively into this world. Isaiah talks about setting prisoners free, sharing bread with the hungry, clothing the naked, etc. While we may not be sharing bread or clothing with those in need, there are other precious commodities that we can share that can help others in their journey, such commodities as time, patience, listening ears.

Journal exercise: Reflect on a recent moment when you gave someone your time when they most needed it. How did you feel at that moment when your time and energy were demanded of you? Did your feelings change in the midst of your giving of yourself?

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Reflection: One of the greatest obstacles in the spiritual journey is denial. Perhaps we've encountered that denial in others when we have had to face someone who was engaged in addictive behavior; they refuse to see the truth. Certainly Jesus was frustrated with those who felt that they had no need for conversion in their lives. Jesus calls out to sinners, to those who admit their powerlessness; sadly, he cannot reach across the barrier of righteousness to those who are in denial. Are we aware of the possibility that we too may be engaged in some forms of denial?

Journal exercise: How hard it is to see the truth about ourselves, that we are sinners and powerless. Only the Lord can reveal to our hearts those areas of our lives in need of healing. In the space below, write a simple prayer to Jesus asking him to help you to see those areas of your life that are in need of his healing.

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Reflection: In this encounter between Satan and Jesus, we can all easily relate to the experience of being tempted. Temptations often come to us in the form of rationalization. It is not the case that we desire to do evil -- but we have convinced ourselves that what we are seeking isn't so bad, after all! Satan comes to us with half-truths; Jesus counters with the full truth, the bigger picture of the situation. Seeing the bigger picture helps us to see that all our rationalizations are, in fact, rationalizations.

Journal exercise: Prayerfully consider the words that Jesus speaks to Satan: "One does not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." What is Jesus saying to you through these words?

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Reflection: In today's reading, Jesus clearly identifies himself with the broken of this world; the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the ill and imprisoned. How easy it is to ignore those who are broken! At times we want to believe that these people are responsible for their own situation and thus we are absolved from doing anything to help them! During this season of Lent, we are reminded that the crucified Jesus identifies himself with all who are broken in our midst -- and he calls out to us for compassion and help!

Journal exercise: Who are some of the broken people whom you have encountered over the past few days? As you write their names below, take the time to pray for them in your heart.

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Reflection: Jesus teaches us how to pray -- he teaches us not just the words to say, but the attitude that must accompany each and every prayer. For the attitude of all prayer is surrender: not my will but your will be done. The cross of Jesus is the supreme act of loving surrender to the Father. As we journey with Jesus during this season of Lent, let us, like his disciples, ask Him to teach us how to pray, how to let go and surrender.

Journal exercise: Prayerfully read the words of the Lord's prayer. Take time to allow each phrase of this prayer to penetrate your heart. Write the phrase that most speaks to your heart at this time. Why does this phrase in the Our Father speak to you so strongly at this time?

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Reflection: Jesus brings up the situation of the people of Nineveh at the time of Jonah; the Ninevites had the reputation of being great sinners; yet, they were capable of conversion of heart. God did not give up on these people! How quickly we can write off other people. We prejudge certain people believing that they can never change! The powerful "sign" that Jesus offers is that even those whom the world considers so lowly are responding with generosity to the message of the good news of salvation.

Journal exercise: Are there people in your life whom you habitually write off as no good, beyond redemption, incapable of being saved? In short, are there Ninevites in your life? On the other hand, are there people whom you know who have turned their life around? Reflect and write about some of these situations:

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Reflection: How simple it all seems: just ask, seek and knock! The good news is that God really does care about what you are going through right now. He is the one who invites you to ask and to seek. The process of asking is a beautiful process, for in the process of asking, we begin to listen more carefully to our heart and to seek the things that really matter. It is at this level that God is present as one who is ready to give the good things that are the deepest desires of our heart.

Journal exercise: Allow yourself to be still and to do some asking, seeking and knocking. Experience how the Lord leads you to seek the things that truly matter in life. In a few sentences, express what it is you are seeking at this point in your life.

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Reflection: When we were children, we often said, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me." The reality is, however, that names really do hurt! At times we can even so thoughtlessly murder another person's reputation. The point which Jesus makes in this gospel is to draw us into a deeper understanding of the law and our responsibility toward one another.

Journal exercise: How many times in the course of a day do we react to one another instead of responding? Often times our reactions take the form of abusive language. A response, however, is born out of a heart of caring love; it takes time and energy to shape a response. Write a prayer that asks the Lord for the grace to be able to respond more carefully and lovingly to that one person in your life who is a real thorn in your side.

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Reflection: Perhaps the most radical demand of Christianity comes to us in the love of our enemies. Dostoevski once wrote: "Christianity is a beautiful philosophy; it is a shame that no one has yet to try it!" Dare we try it? Dare we try to utter a prayer for an enemy, to greet someone who constantly ignores us, to show kindness to that person who has nothing good to say about you?

Journal exercise: Has there ever been a time recently that you can remember trying to show love to an enemy, to someone who may have hurt you in the past? What was the loving thing that was done? How was it received by the other? How did the experience make you feel?

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READING: Matthew 17:1-2, 5
After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."

Reflection: The story of the transfiguration of Jesus us a story of perseverance and encouragement. Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem, ultimately on the road to rejection and death. On his way, he climbs this mountain with his disciples and he is transformed -- a glimpse of the glory he will have once he is raised from the dead! The words of the Father are words of encouragement, words that re-echo what was declared at His baptism: "You are my beloved Son." The disciples needed that glimpse of future glory so that they would persevere in the journey with Jesus.

Journal exercise: Maybe you feel that the journey of Lent has been long and difficult. Maybe the whole process of wanting to become a Catholic seems like an endless road. Perhaps right now you are in need of encouragement. Sit quietly and allow the Lord to encourage you to persevere. In writing, ask the Lord for that grace of perseverance.

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Reflection: So often we run from our own dark side, so fearful and full of shame of the darkness we see within. While today's gospel challenges us to examine the times when we judge others, we need to think also of the ways we condemn ourselves. Self-hatred is the root of all evil. What we so loathe (or fear) inside ourselves is what we so readily see in others, and so we judge and condemn and hate in someone else what we fear might exist within our own dark side. Is it possible that when we so ruthlessly condemn someone else we are likewise condemning (or at least not accepting) that same dark side that exists in my very own self?

Journal exercise: Prayerfully reflect on that one aspect of somebody in your life which you are constantly criticizing and condemning. Where is the energy coming from? Why all the hatred and loathing? Write some of your thoughts that have come to you as a result of this reflection.

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Reflection: On a winter's day, there is nothing more beautiful than to see a field of snow (as long as we don't have to go outside and shovel it!). Everything looks so pure, so clean, so pristine! In this reading, Isaiah promises that we can become white as snow, despite our selfishness and sinfulness. But, when we look out at the white snow-blanketed fields, we anticipate how dirty that snow will soon become. Likewise, when we feel purged of sin and evil, we anxiously think about "the next time" I fail and mess up. We may even think, "What's the use of trying to change? I'm only going to fail again!" God, however, promises never to tire of offering us that cleansing and forgiveness in the future -- no matter how many times we may need that cleansing!

Journal exercise: There are certain areas of our life where we continually fail; we might even label them as character defects or vices. In the past we may have even tried to address these issues in our life, but our lack of long-term success may get us discouraged. Believe that God never tires of renewing us, again and again and again. Write a letter to the Lord, expressing your longing to have him make you "white as snow." Write some of those areas in your life where you have experienced repeated failure asking the Lord to renew you once again.

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Reflection: When we think of service, we may picture certain "heroes and heroines" of the modern era who have given their life in loving service to others: Mother Theresa, Albert Schweitzer, etc. But there are the more ordinary heroes of our own particular world -- people whom we know who tirelessly live out the gospel call to loving service. These people really do inspire us with a desire to want to imitate their loving example in our own life. You are the saint whom God is calling today -- to serve in simple, ordinary ways. Listen to that call and recognize those moments when the Lord is asking us to stretch just a little bit more.

Journal exercise: Take some time to reflect on some of your heroes in your life: the models of love. Who are these special people? What are the qualities that you find so admirable which you would hope to imitate? Was their a moment over the past few days when you found yourself saying YES to the Lord's invitation to provide loving service to someone in need?

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Reflection: The parable is a very powerful one because it speaks to our own lack of awareness of the poor who are at our doorstep. Obviously, Lazarus is not just the homeless man we meet on the city streets, begging for spare change. He can be any person who is asking us just to spare a few "crumbs": crumbs of time, of patience, of understanding. Lazarus can be any person whom we take for granted in our life.

Journal exercise: Spend some quiet time in reflection on this parable. In your mind, try to picture the scene (the many details of this gospel can help us paint a very graphic picture!). After you prayerfully reconstruct the scene of this parable, ask yourself, "Have I encountered Lazarus over these past few days?" Maybe we missed an opportunity to minister to that person who really wanted our time and patience. Rather than journal in this booklet, perhaps you might consider sending a card or a note to that person in your life whom you may have neglected in the recent past, perhaps someone whom we habitually take for granted.

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Reflection: There is a fundamental distortion of reality that is reflected by the tenant farmers. Basically, the parable tells us that these tenant farmers have forgotten who they are! They actually think that they own the vineyard, that they have a right to the produce and no one should take away their hard earned profits. Violence follows. We live in a society today where everyone insists upon their own rights. We don't see ourselves as "tenants," that is, as people to whom property, talent, material possessions have been given as gifts. We cling to our rights with a ferocity that can make us so miserable in the end. Bitterness and resentment follow. Jesus is calling us to let it go!

Journal exercise: Is there someone in your life right now towards whom you feel bitterness and resentment? Is there someone whom you feel has not given you the respect that you deserve or is even taking advantage of you? While Jesus does not call us to be doormats, he does invite us to stop clinging to our rights with such a fierce tenacity. Reflecting on those experiences of bitterness and resentment, write in a few sentences the things that Jesus is inviting you to let go of right now.

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Reflection: This is perhaps one of the most beautiful parables ever told by Jesus. If we ever had a doubt about the loving compassion of God, this parable really dispels that doubt. Yet, as beautiful as the parable is, there is a certain sadness reflected in the attitude of the older son. He cannot understand the love that is so squandered on his brother. The older son has done everything "by the book," and he feels that he deserves better treatment. Even when the father reminds him that "Everything I have is yours," he still feels that he should receive even more as a reward for all the years of service and obedience. The father invites the older son to the party of compassion -- perhaps the older son wants to throw himself a party of self-pity instead!

Journal exercise: Perhaps you may know people in your life who would act like the older son in this parable. Perhaps you know people who are so self-righteous, feeling that poor sinners should get what they deserve (they shouldn't be so easily let off the hook!). Perhaps you may even know people who feel that life is so unfair because all the dead-beats are getting way with murder! Picture, if you can, that you are God. What would you want to say to these self-righteous people?

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Reflection: As you hear the conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman, you get the sense that they are talking on two different levels. The woman is talking about the drudgery of going to the well and fetching water to take care of ordinary needs; Jesus is talking about a deeper thirst that we all have and the life-giving water that he alone can provide. In the course of the conversation, Jesus unveils for the woman her real thirst -- she has lived through a number of broken marriages, she is not terribly accepted even by her own fellow Samaritans! The life-giving water which Jesus gives is acceptance and unconditional love.

Journal exercise: So many times we are not in touch with the real thirst in our lives. We can live on a rather superficial plane (life would be so much easier if I win the lottery, if I could get this particular job, etc.). Our wishes and desires are so puny compared to the real life that Jesus wants to offer. But first we need, once again, to get in touch with our deepest needs. In the journal exercise for February 21^st you were invited to reflect on your deepest needs. Go back to that journal entry and reflect on what you wrote. Are your needs still the same? Are their deeper thirsts now that weren't reflected in that journal entry? Write some of those thirsts below.

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Reflection: Imagine the frustration that Jesus must have felt when he was not accepted by the people of his own home town! There are times when we too may have felt that frustration when we felt that we were not listened to by the people closest to us. Perhaps we have even had that experience of running into some thick-headed and hard-hearted people, people who seem to know the answers and are perhaps not even open to our point of view! Jesus failed in his own home town -- and yet he had to let go of that need to prove his point and convince others he was right. Ultimately, (like the prophets of the Old Testament) he had to walk away from those experiences of failure and move on with his life and ministry.

Journal Exercise: At this present time, do you feel frustrated that others who are closest to you do not listen or seem to understand? Briefly write about those experiences and close with a brief prayer asking the Lord for the strength to move on and to let go of the need to convince others that you are in the right.

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Reflection: To forgive someone seven times was considered extravagant in the day of Jesus (it may even be extravagant by our own standards!). The most that the Rabbis in the time of Jesus would have counseled someone to forgive a transgressor would be three or four times. Jesus offers the radical challenge to forgive the same transgressor an unlimited number of times. Mercy and compassion are at the very center of the gospel message. In exercising this wonderful ministry of reconciliation, we not only free others from their past offenses, but we also free ourselves from our self-imposed prison that comes about when we hold onto grudges and hurts.

Journal exercise: From the cross, Jesus prayed for his persecutors: "Father forgive them, for they know not what they are doing." Perhaps this is the first step toward reconciliation: to ask our Father to forgive those who have hurt us. Try to imagine, if you can, someone who has recently hurt you. Picture Jesus standing right at that person's side with his arm around the shoulders of that person. As you see Jesus and this person stand before you, pray the words, "Jesus my brother, please forgive ." Try to stay with this scene as long as possible. Now write a few sentences describing this scene and describing some of your own feelings as you see Jesus minister to the person who has hurt you.

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Reflection: It was always important for the Jewish people to recount the story of their deliverance from the hands of the Egyptians. The Exodus event defined who they were as a people chosen by God and ever close to his heart. It was inconceivable that the saving deeds of the Lord would be forgotten; to remember and to recount those deeds made the relationship between Israel and God forever stronger and deeper. Similarly, the Lord desires that we both recall and share with others our story, the ways in which we perceive the hand of God and his saving action at work in our lives.

Journal exercise: Reflect upon one incident in your life where it became clear to you that God had intervened in the situation; perhaps you saw his hand at work in recovery from an illness, in getting an important job, in meeting someone who changed your life. In a few sentences, retell that important moment in your life and express your praise and thanks to God for what he had accomplished for you in that particular situation.

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Reflection: The many miracles that Jesus performed in his earthly ministry were signs of God's desire to free people from the power of Satan. Jesus came to proclaim in both word and deed that the Kingdom of God would overcome the powers of sickness, disease and death itself. Still, despite the miracles and signs of God's overwhelming love, people refused to believe. In their negativity, they preferred to think that evil would ultimately triumph. While we ourselves do believe in the power of God and the victory of Jesus over the powers of evil, we seem to live in a world that thrives on bad news. We may even be surrounded by people who focus on what is wrong with life and the world in general. Finally, there are moments when we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by negative thinking. We can write off certain people and situations as hopeless and beyond the possibility of change. How hard it is to hear the good news: "The Kingdom of God has come upon you!"

Journal exercise: Reflect on the past few days: Have you seen evidence that the Kingdom of God has arrived? Perhaps you may have seen that Kingdom in witnessing a thoughtful gesture, a kind word, a helping hand. Maybe you've heard about some incident where it was evident that love did triumph over evil. Where have you witnessed signs of the in-breaking of God's Kingdom in your world?

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Reflection: Once it was written that our love for God is only as strong as the amount of love that we have for the person whom we least can stand. Think about that! Jesus links together the two great commandments, and in doing so he makes our love of neighbor the outward sign of the all-consuming love we are called to have for God. As St. John writes, "If anyone says, `I love God,' but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen."

Journal exercise: What right now might be some of the obstacles that keep you from loving God with "all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength?"

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Reflection: Carl Jung once wrote that the journey to conversion is to descend down ten thousand ladders until we can shake hands with the clod of earth that I am. The goal of our journey is not perfection but is the honest admission that I am weak, fallible, and sinful. We are called not only to admit our weakness like the tax collector in this parable but to embrace that dark side of us with kindness and compassion. The false self, that persona which I would want others to see, is an illusion. Our true self stands before the Lord awaiting his loving embrace.

Journal exercise: What are those areas of your life where you are most aware of your weakness and limitations? With courage and in the faith that Jesus Himself embraces our dark side, write down those weaknesses which you have come to see in your life.

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Reflection: The story of Jesus healing the blind man presents us with an interesting contrast: on the one hand there is the man who is physically blind, and, on the other hand, there are the Pharisees who are spiritually blind. They cannot accept the fact that God is really working through Jesus Christ. The "punch line" of this gospel story is summed up in the final line of the gospel when Jesus says, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, `We see!' and your sin remains." The heart of the problem is in our inability to acknowledge our own blindness. How easy it is to see the faults in someone else -- how hard it is to perceive our own!

Journal exercise: In the journal exercise on February 16th, you were invited to write a prayer asking the Lord to unveil for you those areas of your life that are in need of healing. Review the prayer that you wrote in your journal at that time. Are there some particular areas of your life that you have since discovered during this season of Lent that are in need of healing? You may wish to write some of those areas in the space below.

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Reflection: "The things of the past shall not be remembered." Isn't that good news -- that the Lord really does let go of the past, with all our past mistakes and sins. So many people live their lives as prisoners of regret and even shame, agonizing over their past, fearful that someone may discover the "real truth" of who they are and what they have done. However, in faith, we believe that the Lord is offering us the opportunity for new beginnings in our life. It is we who need to let go of the past.

Journal exercise: Is there some past mistake or failure in our life that we need to let go of? In the space below, prayerfully ask the Lord to give you the strength to let go of the past.

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Reflection: How many times do we make excuses in our life? Sometimes making excuses and finding someone or something to blame for our present state is a way of avoiding taking the responsibility to change. In this gospel passage, Jesus comes upon a person who has been ill for 38 years. When Jesus asks him, "Do you want to be well?" the man immediately makes a kind of an excuse for his situation: "I have no one who can help me!" You could almost hear Jesus say in reply, "I didn't ask if you had anyone to help you -- I asked you, Do you want to be made well?"

Journal exercise: Think of all the times you say "if only." If only this person would change, if only I had a better job, if only this situation didn't exist. Jesus does not change the external situation -- instead he changes our hearts that have become affected by these situations. Write some of the "if only's" of your own life. After you write them, look at the list and see how powerless you are to change any of them. Now hear the words of Jesus, "I cannot change that situation -- but I want to change you! Do you want to be made well?"

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Reflection: How many times have we met a homeless person, begging on the city sidewalks or huddled in train stations. Our hearts go out to these people in pity. Perhaps we might give them some pocket change and move on our way. Such is the case with pity -- we want to do something, but we aren't sure what we can do. Years ago, a community action group used as their motto: "We don't want a hand-out, we just want a hand!" We know that the "quick-fix" solutions do not ultimately work, but how could we even begin to address the broken situation of the many people we meet? In this beautiful reading, God promises to give us more than just a "hand-out," the quick-fix solution that we sometimes seek. As the reading states, "For he who pities them leads them and guides them beside springs of water." It is the Lord Himself who is leading us to a richer more meaningful life!

Journal experience: It is truly the LORD who has been leading us all along in this journey. Think back to a time when you first became involved in some aspect of Church life, perhaps a ministry, or some other involvement or commitment in your life. How did you get involved? What were your motives for joining? Maybe as you look back, you can see some changes in yourself that you did not anticipate when you became involved. Can you see the hand of God at work in this whole process?

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Reflection: In our present day culture, we are so aware of addictions to substance abuse and how they destroy the addict as well as the people in their company. In recent years, the concept of addiction has been expanded beyond looking at chemical dependency. Indeed, we can become addicted to many things which keep us from experiencing the peace, serenity and freedom which God so desires for us. In this reading, Jesus challenges his listeners to look at the ways in which they are addicted to approval and acceptance. As we draw closer to the events of Jesus' rejection, we see a man who was truly free from that addiction for approval. He is the one who is inner-directed, self-possessed who can lead us to experience that same kind of freedom in our own lives.

Journal exercise: What are the situations in my life where I am so caught up in seeking approval and acceptance from others?

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Reflection: This reading comes to us from a very particular situation faced by certain Jews about 100 years before Christ. At that time, there were many Jewish people who were living outside the area of Israel. It was difficult to be faithful to God and his law while living in the midst of a pagan culture. How easy it is to compromise our values and try to blend in with everyone else. In this passage, the Jewish people who had made those compromises revile the pious Jews who remained steadfast in their faith. In short, the reading reminds us if we choose to remain faithful to God we risk rejection.

Journal exercise: Does it make you afraid to be just a "little different" from your culture and from the rest of the world at large? Have you ever experienced that rejection from others who do not understand your relationship with the Lord and the manner in which you are trying to live out that relationship?

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Reflection: In this reading, we have a battle between "the people of the head" and "the people of the heart." The Pharisees, with all their erudite education in the ways of religion, have already decided in their head that Jesus cannot be the long-awaited Savior. They have made their decision and judgments. The crowd, the guards, and Nicodemus, on the other hand, are people of the heart. They instinctively hear the message of Jesus as offering them salvation. God can speak a lot louder to the heart than he can to the head!

Journal exercise: Are there moments in your life when you have experienced this war between the heart and the head? What were some of those experiences? Is it possible that God was in fact speaking to you through your heart?

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Reflection: In the story of the raising of Lazarus, you can just feel the pain of disappointment as expressed by Lazarus' sister Mary (and earlier by Martha). They had hoped that Jesus, their friend, would have done something to prevent Lazarus from dying. Jesus allows both Mary and Martha to express their pain -- he gives them permission to cry and to express their anger and hurt. How many times have we felt disappointed when our prayers go seemingly unanswered. Maybe we feel that we cannot (or should not) tell God that we are hurt. But, Jesus is present in the midst of the disappointment and pain. He weeps with Martha and Mary, feeling their pain of loss. Can we feel that presence of Jesus in our most disappointing moments of our journey?

Journal exercise: Try to imagine a time in your life when you felt that Jesus might have let you down -- some situation where you felt the pain and the emptiness of being abandoned by God. Sometimes we bury our feelings of disappointment and those buried feelings become an obstacle in our relationship with the Lord. If you have felt that pain of disappointment in your life, express those feelings in a letter to Jesus.

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Reflection: "Is there no one to condemn you? Neither do I!" These are powerfully liberating words. Forgiveness frees us, it unbinds us from the past and allows us to move on with our lives. While it is so difficult to forgive another human being, it is even more difficult at times to forgive ourselves. Rather than face our own darkness and forgive ourselves for our own human limitations and past sins, we would rather rationalize away our wrongdoing (come up with excuses) or lay the blame on someone else. Rationalization and blaming are ways we run away from our sinfulness; yet the Lord wants so desperately to heal us.

Journal exercise: Write a prayer to the Lord to ask him for the grace to avoid rationalization and blaming others for our past sins. Ask the Lord for the courage to be able to forgive ourselves and not to run away from our past.

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Reflection: We know very little about St. Joseph from the New Testament scriptures; a carpenter by trade, he is betrothed to Mary at the time when she conceives of a son through the power of the Holy Spirit. Today's gospel gives us a glimpse, however, of an extraordinary man. By exposing Mary to the Law, he could have had Mary stoned to death for her seeming infidelity in breaking the betrothal contract. But, Joseph is a "righteous man," a compassionate person who decides to divorce her quietly rather than to have her pay the penalty for breaking the contract. God asks him to go even one step further -- to take Mary as his wife and to accept this child in his care.

Journal exercise: Perhaps we may see ourselves as good, compassionate people. However, God may be asking us to go even "one step further." Is there a situation in your life right now where God is asking you to go even further -- to extend even more compassion and love than you are at present? Sit quietly and ask the Lord to unveil for you where he may be calling you to take that extra step.

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Reflection: The truth is not always easy to bear. While there is a part of us that wants people to be honest about us, there is a part of us that shrinks in fear from the revelation of the truth about ourselves. Jesus promises that the truth will set us free. At various times during the season of Lent, we have looked at the issue of denial; denial is the major way in which we fearfully avoid confronting that dark side within. As a result, we become slaves to our unchallenged addictions and passions. In looking at the truth of who we are, we cannot neglect the fundamental truth concerning ourselves: no matter what, we are the priceless, precious children of the Father.

Journal exercise: Do you really desire freedom in your life? What would you desire to be free from? Where do you experience yourself as a slave? What would you hope to be free to accomplish in the near future?

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Reflection: What does Christianity have to offer? What does following Jesus have to offer? This is a promise that Jesus is that we will never see death. Obviously, Jesus is speaking about something more than just the physical cessation of life. What, then, is the "death" we shall not see if we follow Him? We have all had the experience of feeling so utterly empty inside that nothing matters any more. We have no more physical or emotional energy. Sometimes these experiences happen when we are in the midst of a tragedy; we're so empty inside that we can't even cry. Sometimes that death occurs in us when we feel utterly hopeless, utterly alone and isolated, utterly abandoned and totally powerless. These experiences are experiences of a real living hell. In our creed, we say "Jesus descended into hell." Jesus felt that abandonment on the cross -- empty even of that comfort of calling upon God in the terms of endearment (Abba = "Daddy.") Now he cries out, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me."
Thus, Jesus descended into hell; he died for us so that in our moments of "death," in those moments of hell in our life, Jesus is present. We will never be alone ever again - the crucified savior is with us. We will never taste real death if we believe that Jesus is with us throughout it all.

Journal exercise: When was a time in your life when you really felt dead on the inside? Perhaps you may wish to write some of those feelings you experienced at that time. In a prayer to the Lord, express your own hope that Jesus will be with you in those moments of agony and despair.

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Reflection: We are all familiar with those famous celebrities who are surrounded by bodyguards. Not only does the bodyguard protect the celebrity from physical harm; they also keep pestering fans from becoming a nuisance for the famous person. Sometimes a bodyguard will clear a path so that the celebrity can walk unimpeded to wherever they are going. Can you imagine having the Lord as your bodyguard? The image of the reading from Jeremiah suggests that the Lord is a mighty champion who clears a path for us. Sometimes we exhaust ourselves, becoming horribly anxious as we think about our battles. However, we're not fighting alone! They are the Lord's battles -- give them over to him.

Journal exercise: Are you going through a battle right now in your life? Is there some pre-occupation or concern that is robbing your peace of mind? Is their some situation that is making you lose focus? Prayerfully turn this battle over to the Lord, the mighty champion!

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Reflection: Caiaphas is speaking to the Sanhedrin, convincing them that they see Jesus as a threat to the welfare of the state. His logic is so compelling: it is far better that one person should suffer than to risk that the entire nation come to ruin. Sadly, we see certain people as upsetting the apple cart. We find it so difficult to tolerate that one person who is the "exception to the rule." We can even shame that person making them conform to the rest of the group: "Why can't you be like everybody else!"

Journal exercise: We all know people who seems to be the exception to the rule. It is a lot easier to condemn these people than to appreciate their uniqueness. These are the people who seem to disturb the status quo. Maybe these are people who refuse to conform, for whatever reason. Maybe these are people who are incapable of conforming. None the less, we are called to pray for these people whom the world would say "stick out like a sore thumb!" List some of these people you know and lovingly pray for them as you write their names.

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Reflection: In every story, in every love-song or poem or even made-for-TV-drama, there is a three-fold movement that always takes place: the hero "leaves home" (or leaves what is comfortable), there is a struggle, and finally the hero "returns" all the stronger because of his or her experiences. Such is the three-fold journey of Christ; he leaves "home" -- the form of God, totally emptying himself of all divine privilege. In the second stage he struggles and suffers -- even unto death. Finally, in the third stage, he is exalted. And so in Christ we see our own story of moving from what is comfortable, subsequently struggling, and receiving new strength and insight in the end.

Journal exercise: The journey begins with surrender, letting go. What are some of the concerns that are so difficult to surrender right now? What are some of the things that I so tenaciously hold onto and grasp? Reputation? Financial security? Approval from others? Fear of failure? Fear of abandonment?

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Reflection: The prophet Isaiah wrote some beautiful songs regarding the suffering servant. No one is quite sure if Isaiah is referring to a particular person or the entire nation of Israel as the servant who suffers for the cause of righteousness. In this particular song, we read how the servant is silent in the midst of his persecution: "not crying out, not shouting." The parallel between what Isaiah writes regarding the servant and what Jesus suffered is obvious. Jesus came to this earth not armed with the majestic lightning and thunder that we so often associate with God. He came armed with gentleness and vulnerability. And here he gives us a model as to how to bear hardships in our life. How often do we give into self-pity and complaints when we suffer! Also, there are moments when we feel that we must have the last word. Once again, maybe silence is golden.

Journal exercise: What are some of the "standard lines" that I find myself using in times of difficulty and hardship ("I can't believe this is happening!" "Why am I always the one. . . "). Sometimes we all need to let off steam; however, when we do vent our frustration, does our venting have a negative effect on the lives of others? Have there been times in the recent past when my words (needing to have the final say in an argument) has caused great hurt in someone's life?

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Reflection: Jesus was not only a man who spoke nice sentiments -- he practiced what he taught! Here we see an extraordinary love of his enemy Judas; at the final meal which he will share with his closest friends, Jesus feeds his own betrayer. Think of all the times we have been hurt by people and have felt betrayed. Jesus offers us a real model in how to let go of the hurt. When we hold onto those hurts we only become a prisoner of resentment and bitterness. We can't move on with our lives.

Journal exercise: If you have ever felt betrayed or hurt by someone close to you -- perhaps a friend or a member of the family -- you feel "stuck." If you find yourself in this situation at present -- still holding onto past hurts and betrayals, you may wish to write a prayer that asks Jesus to help you move past the hurt.

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Reflection: Once again, we encounter one of the "suffering servant songs" of the prophet Isaiah. this song speaks particularly about the vulnerability of the one who suffers for the sake of others. Many of the details of this song apply to what Jesus suffered on the cross. Some of the language is very graphic and powerful. You may wish to prayerfully reflect upon some of the phrases in this passage.

Journal exercise: The servant asks that he can have the ability "to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them." Have you recently come across someone who was discouraged? Did you find yourself trying to encourage or affirm them in the midst of their broken situation? What was the experience and how did you feel as you tried to offer words of encouragement?