A New Heavens and a New Earth
In some parts of the world, this Lenten season is heralded by the glory of blossoms and flowering trees. The air becomes warmer, and the daylight lasts longer. In other parts, the signs of spring are hidden beneath snow and ice, waiting to be revealed. Mornings are still dark, and sunsets muted. The re-creation that is the Easter season seems far away.
Has anything changed?
Lent is a time for us to shine the light on the parts of ourselves we keep hidden. It is an opportunity to see where we are and where we need to go. Is anything different from last year? How have I grown or not grown? How have I become more prayerful, more generous toward my neighbor? And now that we are a month or so into Lent, what has happened in us since we started out? How has our holiness increased? What has changed?
Unless You See Signs and Wonders
It would be easy to be cynical about anything changing in the world around us. There is a cruel war being waged in Ukraine. We are still living with the pandemic. There are many reasons for the “sound of weeping to be heard.” Each of us, in our own situations, no doubt lives with things we wish would change. Jesus even sounds a bit cynical when he responds to the royal official by saying, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” The man does not argue; he simply pleads, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” His faith in Jesus and his belief in Jesus’ word secure healing for his son.
His Whole Household Came to Believe
The unnamed royal official made a radical change; “he and his whole household came to believe” in Jesus. Have we reached the point of transformation this Lent? Has anything changed in us? Has our faith grown? If not, the infinite mercy shown by Jesus will heal us, as it did the official’s child. There is still time.
This is beautiful! Thank you Sister Veronica.
Thank you for taking the time to read it!