Letters From Home

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent by Dr. John Bergsma.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent by Dr. Shane Owens.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent by Dr. Scott Hahn.

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Readings:
2 Chronicles 36:14–16, 19–23
Psalms 137:1–6
Ephesians 2:4–10
John 3:14–21

The Sunday readings in Lent have been showing us the high points of salvation history—God’s covenant with creation in the time of Noah; His promises to Abraham; the law He gave to Israel at Sinai.

In today’s First Reading, we hear of the destruction of the kingdom established by God’s final Old Testament covenant—the covenant with David (see 2 Samuel 7; Psalm 89:3).

His chosen people abandoned the law He gave them. For their sins, the temple was destroyed, and they were exiled in Babylon. We hear their sorrow and repentance in the exile lament we sing as today’s Psalm.

But we also hear how God, in His mercy, gathered them back, even anointing a pagan king to shepherd them and rebuild the temple (see Isaiah 44:28–45:1, 4).

God is rich in mercy, as today’s Epistle teaches. He promised that David’s kingdom would last forever, that David’s son would be His Son and rule all nations (see 2 Samuel 7:14–15; Psalm 2:7–9). In Jesus, God keeps that promise (see Revelation 22:16).

Moses lifted up the serpent as a sign of salvation (see Wisdom 16:6–7; Numbers 21:9). Now Jesus is lifted up on the Cross, to draw all people to Himself (see John 12:32).

Those who refuse to believe in this sign of the Father’s love condemn themselves—as the Israelites in their infidelity brought judgment upon themselves.

But God did not leave Israel in exile, and He does not want to leave any of us dead in our transgressions. We are God’s handiwork, saved to live as His people in the light of His truth.

Midway through this season of repentance, let us again behold the Pierced One (see John 19:37) and rededicate ourselves to living the “good works” that God has prepared us for.

Lecturas:
2 Crónicas 36,14-17, 19-23;
Salmo 137,1-6;
Efesios 2,4-10;
Juan 3,14-21

Las lecturas dominicales del tiempo cuaresmal nos han mostrado los momentos fundamentales de la historia de salvación: La alianza de Dios con la creación en el tiempo de Noé; la promesa que hizo a Abraham, la Ley que Él dio a Israel en el Sinaí.

En la primera lectura de este domingo, se nos habla de la destrucción del reino establecido en la última alianza del Antiguo Testamento, la de Dios con el rey David (cf. 2S 7; Sal 89,3).

El pueblo escogido por Dios abandonó la Ley que Él le había dado. Por sus pecados, el Templo de Salomón fue destruido y el pueblo exiliado a Babilonia.

Escuchamos su tristeza y arrepentimiento en la lamentación sobre el exilio que entonamos en el salmo.

Pero escuchamos cómo Dios, en su misericordia, reúne a su pueblo nuevamente, unge a un rey pagano para pastorearlo y reconstruye el Templo (cf. Is 44,28-45,1.4).

Sí, Dios es rico en misericordia, como enseña la epístola a los Efesios. Había prometido que el reino de David duraría para siempre, que el hijo de David sería su Hijo y gobernaría las naciones (cf. 2 S 7,14-15; Sal 2, 7-9).

En Jesús, Dios cumplió esta promesa (cf. Ap 22,16).

Moisés levantó una serpiente como signo de salvación (cf. Sb 16,6-7; Nm 21,9). Hoy Jesús es levantado en la cruz para atraer a todos hacia Él. (cf. Jn 12,32).

Los que se niegan a creer en este signo de amor del Padre se condenan a sí mismos, como les sucedió a los Israelitas en su infidelidad.

Pero Dios no dejó a Israel en el exilio y no quiere dejar a ninguno de nosotros morir en sus pecados. Somos la obra de su mano y hemos sido salvados para vivir en la luz de su verdad.

Cuando hemos llegado a la mitad de este camino de arrepentimiento cuaresmal, miremos “al que traspasaron” (Jn 19,37) y dediquémonos de nuevo a vivir las buenas obras que el Señor nos ha llamado a hacer.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Saturday of the Third Week of Lent by Mr. Clement Harrold.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Friday of the Third Week of Lent by Dr. John Bergsma.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Thursday of the Third Week of Lent by Ms. Joan Watson.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent by Dr. John Bergsma.

Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent by Dr. Shane Owens.

Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com