Tag: Lent2025

By Anna Verry
For The Catholic Messenger
Lent 2025 Week 5

This week’s Gospel reading, John 8:1-11, offers valuable insights into two significant conversations Jesus had, both of which are deeply revealing. In the first, the scribes and Pharisees present themselves as cold and uncompassionate to a woman who is suffering and in turmoil. They attempt to trap Jesus into speaking against the Law. How does Jesus respond? He challenges them to examine their own sinfulness, saying, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” This powerful statement puts an immediate end to the tension in this situation.

In our society, many may react in a similar way, metaphorically throwing stones at others. Today, these “stones” may take the form of gossip, hurtful comments, intentional exclusion, spreading hatred online or even cultivating wicked thoughts. There are countless ways we can “throw stones” but Jesus’ interaction with the scribes and Pharisees reminds us that no one is without sin and the sinful cannot cast stones at one another.

The second conversation Jesus has in this passage is with the woman, offering profound insight into how God views each of us. Jesus tells her, “Neither do I condemn you.” This is in absolute contrast to the way the scribes and Pharisees treated her. Imagine how distraught, belittled and fearful she must have felt surrounded by their condemnation. Yet, through Jesus’ compassion and presence, she realized that he freed her from her past while also calling her to change and turn away from her sinful ways.

If the woman had seen herself the way the scribes and Pharisees saw her, it would have been a great error. The one true way to view yourself is the way Jesus sees you. While it’s easy to internalize hurtful comments on the internet or the rude actions of others, remember that your worth isn’t defined by what others think. The only perspective that matters is how Jesus sees you. He lifts you above the pain and judgment of society, revealing your true identity in his eyes — perfect, loved, valued and unique. Since Jesus has freed you from being defined by others’ opinions, live in the freedom and worth he gives you.

As we approach the end of the season of Lent, this story offers us much to reflect on. It reminds us to show compassion and understanding toward others, even when they have made mistakes. If we become aware of someone’s sin or find ourselves at odds with someone, let us not “throw stones” at them. Instead, let us pray for them; pray for their healing and for their experience of God’s forgiveness and grace.

This story also encourages us to look within our own hearts and lives to recognize where we, too, need God’s forgiveness and grace. Just as the woman experienced forgiveness, we can encounter God’s mercy through the sacrament of reconciliation. Jesus loves us despite our past, but he calls us to overcome our sinful ways after we meet him. We cannot truly encounter Jesus and continue to live in sin. In reconciliation, we come to Jesus acknowledging our sins. He forgives us through the sacrament of reconciliation and then asks us to sin no more.

I leave you with these questions to reflect on: In what areas of your life do you need to experience God’s forgiveness and grace? How can you show more compassion and understanding to others, especially those struggling with sin or facing judgment from society? How can you resist the temptation to “throw stones” at others and respond with the same grace and mercy that Jesus offers?

(Anna Verry is a student at St. Ambrose University in Davenport.)

By Fr. Dominic Nguyen
For The Catholic Messenger
Lent 2025 Week 4

I grew up in a very Catholic, populated area in Vietnam. In my town, our parishes had no less than 12,000 parishioners. The faith of the people was so alive during the Lenten season because many went to Church especially during this time to pray the Stations of the Cross and participate in other Lenten traditions.

One of these traditions is the Chant about the Passion of Christ. During this practice, the people of all ages packed the Church to reflect on the love that Jesus had for them through his Passion. The Entombment of Jesus on Good Friday was most memorable. People venerated a life-size statue of Jesus contained in a glass casket filled with puffed white rice. One end of the casket was left open with the feet of Jesus exposed so that people could venerate throughout the day. As a kid, I loved participating in this tradition with my grandparents because when my turn came, I could kiss the feet of Jesus and get some of the puffed rice as a gift from Jesus. Such traditions have helped keep the faith alive in our community.

During Mass for the Fourth Sunday in Lent, we will listen once again to the parable of the prodigal son, his brother, and their merciful father. People may rightly say that the younger son was very disrespectful when he asked for his share of the inheritance while the father was still alive. The father gave it to him, and he “squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.” In response to the prodigal son’s repentance and coming home, the father forgave him for everything he had done and restored his sonship.

The older brother became angry because he experienced an injustice when the prodigal son received forgiveness and welcome home. The older brother had always obeyed and served, receiving nothing in return. The father made clear his intention to his older son, saying, “My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours.” The father wanted to give him everything — including his sonship, his dignity and his being close to the infinite love of his father. The injustice here, perhaps, was not that the father gave him nothing, but that the son desired too little.

Most of the time, I could easily relate to the prodigal son when I turned away from God. Yet, God, the merciful father, has always been merciful to me. He forgave all my sins through the sacrament of penance and he has shown me a way forward with new grace and strength. What I seldom reflected on is that I, more often than not, was like the older brother. Despite the fact that I participated in many religious practices in my parish in Vietnam, they could become occasions of the sins of pride and self-righteousness. Jesus said through the prophet Isaiah, “this people draws near with words only and honors me with their lips alone, though their hearts are far from me.”

The external practices of our faith and service to our brothers and sisters should come from the sincerity of our hearts; hearts that have been transformed and conformed to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, who loves us and gives himself for us.

As we continue our Lenten journey, let us ask for the grace and courage to follow the example of Jesus in prayers, fasting and helping one another. Let these Lenten disciplines soften our hearts to invite Jesus to come in and make our hearts like his: a heart that is loving, humble and full of compassion. Mother Angelica once reminded us that Jesus wanted us to be happy not only in this life, but also in the life to come. Let us resolve to come back home with Jesus and be fully alive today!

(Father Dominic Nguyen is parochial vicar of Divine Mercy Parish in Burlington-West Burlington and St. Mary Parish in Dodgeville.)

By Deacon Joe Welter
The Catholic Messenger

Lent 2025 – Week 3

Having been born and resided in Iowa my entire life, agriculture revolves around two crops — corn and soybeans.  It is a concise process with planting in the spring and harvesting in the fall of the same year.  The fig business of the first century involved a longer process. Fig trees often take two to four years to grow to the point of bearing fruit.  It was common practice to let a fig tree grow for at least three years.

According to Mosaic Law, the next three years of fruit would not have been eaten, the fourth year of fruit dedicated to God (seventh year after planting), and finally the figs would be eaten (see Leviticus 19:23-24).  Like our knowledge of corn and soybeans, this would have been common knowledge to Jesus’ audience.

In the parable we hear the third Sunday of Lent, Jesus is speaking of a fig tree that is nine to 10 years old and has not yet produced fruit. That is a long time to wait for a tree to produce fruit.  The owner is prudent in wanting to cut down the tree because it is taking up space in the orchard. Yet, the gardener pleads for another year. The gardener does not intend to leave the tree alone, but to cultivate and fertilize it.

In the unfruitful tree, Jesus was referring to religious leadership. First-century Jewish leadership is not a super relevant topic for us. Leadership of our time might merit more discussion. Yet, our leadership often comes from the people. Our parishes have parishioners on commissions and councils. Most of our clergy come from within our diocese. Elected officials live within the geographical area that they represent at the local, state or federal level.  A modern, American discussion of leadership should ultimately come back to all of us. It is fruitful for us to consider ourselves as the fig tree within the parable, even though that was not exactly what Jesus had in mind.

This parable is an excellent Lenten reflection.  It challenges us to have an introspective look at our life.  Too often, that examination yields a great unfruitfulness. We should take the remaining weeks of Lent to identify what is unfruitful in our life and during that examination to be grateful for the good news that Jesus has not given up on any of us. He is willing to give us another year. To cultivate, fertilize and bring us to fruitfulness.

Lent should bring us face to face with those unfruitful parts of our life that prevent us from a productive relationship with God.  Thank goodness for more chances!

(Deacon Joe Welter serves at St. Mary Parish and the Newman Catholic Student Center, both in Iowa City.)

By Father Rudolph Juarez
For The Catholic Messenger

My parishioners and family know that I like traveling to Mexico especially in February to get away from the Iowa cold. I like the 70° temperatures and sun. Now into the second week of Lent, while it is not quite as cold as we get closer to April and spring weather, the memory of Mexico is still with me.

This last trip I was in the colonial city of Queretaro, which is famous for its small plazas throughout the historic center. One evening I went to one of these plazas in front of the national church of the Guadalupe missionary priests and ordered an “elote” (corn on the cob), smothered in mayonnaise, crumbled cheese and chili powder and two tacos of “asada” — steak.

To my delight, out came from the church more than 100 young people who started singing hymns and dancing in the plaza in small groups. These energetic young people really impressed me, showing the world how transformational faith and joy can be. My immediate thought was, “Someone is doing great pastoral work.”

Food and joy are a wonderful combination as my nun friends reminded me during the rest of my trip to Pátzcuaro, Michoacán. During every meal, they would tell me, “Have some more Father, because Lent is coming.” Well, Lent is here and I find myself debating my relationship to food, the amount I consume and what fasting means for me. I think of it as a balance of food for the body and food for the soul — a mix of food and joy — all of which must be transformative.

In Luke’s Gospel, we learn something very transformative — of Jesus going up to the mountain to pray, at which time he revealed his glory to his disciples. He told them of the future glory that awaited him after his crucifixion and death and that awaits all the faithful when our earthly journey is finished.

So well does St. Paul speak of the transformative power of faith to the Philippians as he says, “He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.” This for me means that as we strive for heaven and future glory, as we carry our souls in this earthly body, we are always in need of food for the body and food for the soul — because sometimes the journey is a challenge.

With good reason then, St. Paul says, “Stand firm in the Lord.” Standing firm in the Lord is part of my Lenten plan. As I live out the traditional pillars of Lent of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, I trust that moderation, healthy choices, gratitude and stewardship in my spiritual, physical, moral and emotional life will bring me closer to Christ.

I forgot to mention that that evening in Querétaro, along with the elote and tacos, I also drank a nice cold Modelo! It wasn’t part of the plan, but I attribute it to being overcome with joy. Whatever plan I pursue this Lent, it has to be a combination of food and joy. It has to draw me closer to Christ, and like the dancing and singing young people in Queretaro, it has to be transformational.

(Father Rudolph Juarez is pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Davenport.)