Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress": April 3

Readings

Ex 32:7-14 Lord/Moses: “Go to your people; they've become depraved, worshiping a molten calf as God. Let my wrath blaze up and consume them.” / “Why blaze up against your own people? The Egyptians will say, ‘He brought them out to kill them’? Remember the covenant with your servants, and relent. So the Lord relented.

Ps 106:19-23 "Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people." Our fathers adored a molten image, forgetting God and his wonders. The Lord spoke of exterminating them, but Moses turned back his wrath.

Jn 5:31-47 Jesus: Another testifies on my behalf, and his testimony is true. John testified to the truth, and you rejoiced in his light, but the works the Father gave me are even greater testimony that he sent me. He too has testified, but you've neither heard nor seen him because you don't believe. Even the Scriptures testify, but you don't want to come to me for life. I came in my Father's name, but you don't accept me. Moses will accuse you; if you'd believed him, you'd have believed me.

Pope Francis

Homily: Moses' courageous prayer, a struggle with God, teaches us to pray without fear, freely, and with insistence. Prayer must be a negotiation with God, to which we bring our arguments. When the Lord repented of the evil he'd threatened, did he change? No; Moses did, because he believed the Lord would have destroyed the people but in trying to convince him rediscovered his mercy. He was afraid of what God would do but came down sure of mercy and forgiveness; he knew it vaguely but rediscovered it in prayer. Prayer changes our heart and helps us understand God. Speak with the Lord about reality: ‘Lord, I have this problem... What can you do? Don't leave me like this!'. It takes the time we need to get to know God better, as with a friend; Moses prayed like one friend speaking to another. Open your heart to prayer that's free, insistent, and with arguments. Moses came down invigorated, knowing God better, and with that strength resumed leading his people. Prayer is a grace that invigorates; may God give it to us all. The Holy Spirit is in every prayer. You can't pray without the Spirit, who prays in us, makes us change our heart, and teaches us to call God 'Father.' Ask the Holy Spirit to teach us to pray as Moses prayed.

Reflections

Creighton: We tend to exchange what God offers us for something less, the opposite of a “laudable exchange” (St. Clare). The ones who saw God's wonders at the Red Sea exchanged God's glory for a god to their specs. The Jews exchanged Jesus' testimony for others'. Lenten observance should point us to the true God.

One Bread One Body: To imitate Jesus, be aware the Father sent you. "As the Father has sent Me, so I send you."

DailyScripture.net: Jesus' opponents didn't accept his authority or that the Father sent him. He cites witnesses: John the Baptist, Jesus' works, God the Father, and the Scriptures. The scribes and Pharisees didn't believe what Moses had written.

Moved to greater love: Today's Jesuit Conference reflection on being sent includes the Teacher's Prayer for Generosity (Fryer), 4 songs, and the Formula of the Institute. When did I know I was called? Do I still hear the call?

Music

Apparel

Dress your life!

Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress"