Daily Scripture Readings from the Liturgy of the Word

  Here is something exciting!   
   

Click on any one of the dates below and be linked to a beautiful website provided by the Claretian Missionaries.  
This site is called:  "Liturgy Alive: Models of Celebrations," 
and gives a Theme, Introduction, the prayers of the Liturgy, the Scripture Readings, 
Commentary on the Liturgy of the Word, General Intercessions and the final Blessing.

March 14, 2010

Laetare Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Lent

Scripture Readings for this Sunday - New American Bible Translation 
                    Scripture Readings from the Claretian publication, (click) "The Christian Community Bible" 
                    (The meditations below are from the Claretian Publication Liturgy Alive: Models of Celebration for Sundays
                    by Fr. Camilo Marivoet, C.I.C.M.)  

A Father Prodigal With His Love
Can you imagine that, when half-heartedly sorry for the stupidities of your sins, you tell God that you come back to him, he embraces you and prepares a feast for you? It is almost like a hero’s welcome! A God prodigal with his love waits for us; the past belongs to the past. Let us join in the feast of forgiveness.

A Scandalizing Mercy
Sometimes it is said of good, tolerant people: “that’s going too far to tolerate this, to forgive such a loss of face. Is there no spunk in him or her?” No, we shouldn’t be anybody’s fool, but when it comes to forgiveness and patience we have still much to learn from God our Father. Has he not kept forgiving us? Has he ever stopped being patient with us? This is what we have to learn from him, however difficult it may be. Let us ask Jesus with us here to give us that strength.

Joshua 5:9a, 10-12 - The Joy of a Homeland. 
          God had led his people from the land of slavery into their new homeland. 
          They celebrated this homecoming by renewing the covenant with God. 
          Then they had to live as his faithful people.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 - Reconciled and Reconcilers. 
          God offers us a new world of forgiveness and reconciliation. 
          We have to bring that reconciliation to all.

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 - Welcome Back Home.
        In the parable of the Father and his two sons, the father welcomes the repentant son back home with joy, 
        but the self-righteous elder son, with the scribes and the Pharisees, refuses forgiveness.

For the daily readings for the month of  March click on the individual date in the corresponding Calendar.   
                                                                                          This Calendar is borrowed (and modified a bit) from the Claretian Publications website.