Fourth Sunday of Lent
“All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” -2 Corinthians 5:18
Read the full lectionary readings for the day here.
Prayer:
Loving God, make me an instrument of your reconciliation. Amen.
Reflection:
In the second reading from today's lectionary, we hear that we are called to be a new creature in Jesus. He has reconciled us to God. He has been like the father in the story of the Prodigal Son. But then Paul tells the Corinthians and us that the task of reconciliation is ours. We are to be reconcilers. We are to find ourselves in the father of the Gospel.
We all live in families. We all have problems, with brothers, sisters, parents, grandparents, brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, uncles, aunts, mother-in-laws, father-in-laws, etc. And surely the task of reconciliation extends beyond our families. Do we also have the experience of being reconcilers? Are we like the father? This is the challenge of the story for us. We are forgiven: Thanks be to God! But we are to be reconcilers like the Father. God help us.
Reflection Questions:
1) Can you recall when you have fulfilled the task of being a “reconciler”?
2) Have you experienced the challenge to be a reconciler at a Thanksgiving meal?
3) What aspects of our culture and society today are most in need of reconciliation?
Suggested Almsgiving:
Consider making a donation to a local group that is doing God's work of reconciliation in your community.
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