Reflections for Lent 4 A: Blindness is awful whether real or spiritual, often even emotional, social, cultural, and political. I want to reflect on these last five, not physical blindness. These five aspects exist because this culture stresses the appearances of things, not the facts. Indeed this is what has made the corona virus spread possible. Wearing rose tinted glasses is so much happier than facing all the gloom and doom. Samuel was likewise enmeshed in the judgments of this world based on appearance, In other words we judge a book by its cover, or when buying their wine its the appearance of the label and the cheapest price possible. All this makes it very hard for to discern then the will of God, who never judges by appearances, because knows the core of our inmost selves. I God is love, than God is also light. It's the third stanza of Psalm 23, the overabundant table and the perfumed anointing of the head that develops the first reading; the author here is filled with thanks and praise of God. Paul's riff on light and darkness is the second reading takes this theme of blindness into the theme of conversion and peace with the Father. ...

Lent 3 A: "Is the Lord in our midst or not?" is the question of the day right now. As Americans more and more engage highly individualistic spiritualities and civil religion while leaving more rigorous expressions of Christianity, and in light of the state of the world today, we find ourselves asking this ancient question. Our answer has been evangelical prosperity religions or no religion at all. The world's question today is the growing fear that God has abandoned us, even as we are thirsty and hungry for some deeper and richer meaning in our shallow lives. Paul's words encourage us. "we have with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," "hope does not disappoint," and "God proves His love for us." These answer the question whether God is for us or not. Paul is offering evidence based on God's actions in history, that the answer is a resounding "Yes!" The woman at the well also finds an answer to this question in her encounter with Jesus. Jesus gives her the ultimate answer to the questions of our lives. We are satisfied of food and drink, because we are doing the will of the Father. Jesus, presenting himself a the long awaited Messiah, offers a new direction and meaning for her life. The disciples on the other hand are like the traditionalists today; Jesus (the church) keeps women in their place and should avoid dealing with them. Nothing could be further from the Gospel. ...

This incident at Antioch of Pisidia reflects an aspect of Hellenistic culture, which was fascinated with religions and spiritualities of the East, the East being any non-Greek cults, rituals, and divinities. It would not be surprising if many people showed up in a synagogue to hear of this new and interesting religion. In any event the arguments were about the means to attain salvation, a particular Greek interest in Hellenistic culture. At the same time, the jealousy arose probably because of Paul's practice of using funds to address the needs of the local poor. The early apostolic community had quickly excelled in this practice, which threatened the power structures and dynamics of those who were either not assisting the poor or were not doing it as effectively and generously as the apostles. It is extremely important and valuable that the modern American church keep up its own history of generous giving to the poor. In this cultural moment of greed, this heritage is threatened. For today, the Church remains an effective organization addressing the needs of the poor, yet is hardly ever posted in the news or the pews. At the same time today there is an increased "new age" interest in alternative means to salvation or meaning in life. Paul's critique is that the members of the synagogue have rejected "their own", and so the kerygma is now being given to the Gentiles. For Paul this journey is decisive in his ministry and in the scope of salvation for all the peoples. ...