Tag: transformed

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Minute Meditation – Power Cannot, in Itself, be Bad

Power cannot, in itself, be bad. It simply needs to be realigned and redefined as something larger than domination or force. Rather than stating that power is bad, the Bible reveals the paradox of power. If the Holy Spirit is power, then power has to be good, not something that is always the result of ambition or greed. In fact, a truly spiritual woman, a truly whole man, is a very powerful person. In people like Moses, Jesus, and Paul, we can assume that it was precisely their powerful egos that God used, built on, and transformed, but did not dismiss. If we do not name the good meaning of power, we will invariably be content with the bad, or we will avoid our powerful vocation.

— from the book Things Hidden: Scripture as Spirituality by Richard Rohr, OFM

//Franciscan Media//

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Lenten Reflection for Sunday, March 14th, 2021

The Gospel reading explains the great love of God for His people. Do I love Him in return?

First reading: 2 Chronicles 36:14-17, 19-23

Psalm: 137:1-6

Second reading: Ephesians 2:4-10

Gospel: St. John 2:14-21

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear one of the most beloved verses in Sacred Scripture:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” – St. John 3:16

Maybe we have heard these words so often that they are not surprising anymore, but if we stop to reflect on this verse, it is the very definition of the “Good News.” God Himself gave His Son for you and for me. God, who made Heaven and earth, loves us.

How do I respond to this love? Do I follow His commands? Do I pray often? God has given us a gift that we can never repay. But like a child who makes simple presents for his parents, we can love Him as much as we are able.

In this Gospel passage, Jesus goes on to say that some prefer the darkness to the light. As Christ is the Light of the World, some people did not–and some still do not–want His Light to expose them or their sins. As Christians, we must love the Light, love the Truth, and be transformed by the Light. Do I allow God to transform me with His Light?

For more information on how you can grow in your faith during the Lenten season, we encourage you to visit the EWTN Lent page here: ewtn.com/lent

In Jesus, 

Father Joseph

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