Good News Reflection FOR NEXT SUNDAY: March 21, 2010 FOR NEXT SUNDAY: March 21, 2010

Good News Reflection
FOR NEXT SUNDAY: March 21, 2010
Fifth Sunday of Lent, Cycle C

Parish bulletins, faith-sharing groups, RCIA:
For professionally published, printable copies of this reflection,
please go to Catholic Digital Resources:
http://catholicdr.com/calendar/Lent/Lent5.htm - Preview a sample

Next Sunday's Readings:
Isaiah 43:16-21
Ps 126:1-6
Phil 3:8-14
John 8:1-11
http://www.usccb.org/nab/032110.shtml
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/10_03_21.mp3

Next Sunday's Gospel reading shows us a good example of how to treat someone who is, as Jesus says elsewhere in scripture (Matt. 25) "the least of these." The recipient of Christ's compassion in this story was considered to be unworthy of life itself. She was a woman, which in her society meant she was inferior to men. She was a sinner and deserved punishment. She was one single person facing a condemning crowd alone. How much more of a "least" one could anyone be?

When have you felt alone and insignificant? Perhaps you've faced a condemning crowd. Then again, have you ever treated others as if they're not important? Yes, none of us can cast the first stone.

There are many in the Church who feel forgotten and neglected. We all know some of them. If we're already busy in parish or diocesan ministry or in our own personal lives, seeking them out and giving them attention feels too overwhelming. These people become too insignificant to warrant the expense of our time, the development of resources, and the sacrifice of our personal comfort.

If the diseased and suffering have pain that we don't know how to handle, we look away. Catholics with broken marriages often feel condemned, and many who could be receiving Communion stay away because they've been misinformed about the Church's rules, and no one is reaching out to lead them back. And although the Church has been stopping abuses against children, often the lustful or abusive treatment of adults is never addressed, because they are dismissed as "less vulnerable" – they are of least concern.

Sometimes, secular institutions are better at responding to the needs of "the least of these" than us Christians! Identifying the least among us and reaching out to them is a good Lenten exercise.

Questions for Personal Reflection:
Which persons are you neglecting because their situation makes you feel uncomfortable or inadequate? Which members of your family or parish do you avoid because you like them "least" of all? Begin to give them compassionate attention by praying for them, then discern if the Lord is inspiring you to do anything more.

Questions for Family & Community Faith Sharing:
Share the story of a time when you encountered – or were – one of "the least of these". Did anyone show compassion? How? Where was Jesus?

STARTING ON MONDAY, if you're a member of the "Emmaus Journey" e-group, share your answers by writing to EmmausJourney@gnm.org
* To join and become a member, go to:
http://gogoodnews.net/GNMcommunities/EmmausJourney/

© 2010 by Terry A. Modica
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