08/03/2021
Word Sharing Circle (WSC) Reflection Guide
March 7, 2021 – 3rd Sunday of Lent (Cycle B, Year I)
Community Word: Jesus Christ, the source of our salvation, is the reflection of God’s love.
Theme: We are the reflection of God’s love when we obey His commandments.
Promise: “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul…giving wisdom to the simple.” (Ps 19:8a)
Reflection:
Nothing is clearer in the teachings of Jesus than the fact that actions speak louder than words. And nothing could be more explicit than His command to be, “doers, not just hearers of the word,” (Jam 1:22). That said, it is equally obvious that we are to be a reflection of God’s love. And to be a reflection of God’s love, we have to show it by deeds not just hear about it. We are to observe the commandments of the Lord. Calling ourselves Christians without living out our faith is not going to help. We are to practice what we preach. Bear in mind that God created us in His own image and likeness. And with this gift, He gave us free will to choose between good and evil, and to discern that which is good, better and best for us, in order to collaborate in attaining our eternal salvation.
The first reading speaks of the choice between blessing and curse, with the caveat to “be careful to obey all the laws and regulations, lest we die.” The verses speak of careful observance of all commandments, statutes, decrees, laws and regulations, and assurance of blessings through obedience. “The Lord commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the Lord, our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive,” Dt 6:24.
As St. Paul tells the Corinthians, “Christ (is) the power of God and the wisdom of God” and that the “foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength,” (1 Cor 1:24-25). This simply means that we are not miracle workers bringing glad tidings, nor do we go to church because we think that if we do, we will find favor with the Lord. Rather, we are the witnesses to the One (Jesus), who gave his life for us, his brothers and sisters.
In the Gospels of John, Mathew and Mark, it is written that Jesus drove people out of the temple. He was not against trade as such, but Jesus was strongly against people desecrating the house of God. This whole scene happened in the court of the Gentiles. There were four offenses, four defilements or corruptions that caused Jesus to drive men out of the temple:
First, Jesus drove out those who commercialized and secularized the temple. In reflection, do we belong to this group of people? Do we ply our trade in this despicable manner? Do we use religion for profit, or our faith as a means or vehicle for doing business, advancing our personal interests, or gaining advantage and profit?
Second, Jesus drove out those who desecrated God’s house. Here, Jesus is no longer referring to those plying their trade, but to fake and pretentious worshippers, those who come to the temple, pretending to worship, but are expecting something in return. Those who hear the commandment, yet disobey because of self-indulgence. We definitely desecrate God’s house every time we sin. We need a genuine renewal of the mind and heart to become a genuine reflection of God’s love to others.
Third, Jesus drove out those who violated the sacred and prayerful atmosphere of the temple. As Christians, we sometimes assume we can assuage God with our corporal works of mercy, but deep inside we have not obeyed, nor have we communed with Him in spirit and in truth. The truth is our songs, processions, and incense-burning add nothing to God’s glory and honor. Rather, God wants us to have a relationship with Him.
And fourth, Jesus drove out those who shut people out. Is BLD an inclusive community or an exclusive one? Or do we welcome everyone regardless of their beliefs? This is a critical lesson - a lesson that God has been trying to teach men and nations through the centuries. There is no caste system, or social barriers in his temple. “God does not show favoritism,” (Acts 10:34).
In Summary, are we the persons God created us to be, a reflection of His great love when we obey His commandments? The word of God assures us, “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul…giving wisdom to the simple,” (Ps 19:8a). Truly, we become the reflection of God’s love when we submit to His will and allow ourselves to be turned into a living stone for the new temple and in giving our life for our brothers and sisters.
Prayer:
Heavenly and Gracious God, we bless and thank you for reminding us of Your holy commandments which reflects Your heart and character. We pray that we too will reflect this same love for our brothers and sisters, so that they too may become the persons You want them to be.
Reflection Guide Questions:
1. What hinders me from observing and obeying the commandments of God?
2. What areas in my life do I need to change to become a reflection of God’s unfailing love?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
March 7, 2021 (Sun) – Ex 20:1-17/ Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11/ 1 Cor 1:22-25/ Jn 2:13-35
March 8, 2021 (Mon) – 2 Kgs 5:1-15ab/ Ps 42:2, 3; 43:3, 4/ Lk 4:24-30
March 9, 2021 (Tue) – Dn 3:25, 34-43/ Ps 25:4-5ab, 6, 7bc, 8-9/ Mt 18:21-35
March 10, 2021 (Wed) – Dt 4:1, 5-9/ Ps 147: 12-13, 15-16, 19-20/ Mt 5:17-19
March 11, 2021 (Thu) – Jer 7:23-28/ Ps 25:1-2, 6-7, 8-9/ Lk 11:14-23
March 12, 2021 (Fri) – Hos 14:2-10/ Ps 81:6c-8a, 8bc-9, 10-11ab, 14, 17/ Mk 12:28-34
March 13, 2021 (Sat) – Hos 6:1-6/ Ps 51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21ab/ Lk 18:9-14
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
