Forgiveness of the Heart

Forgiveness of the Heart
A Lenten Minute Reflection for Tuesday, March 10, 2015 

by Dcn Bob Bonomi

In today's Gospel Jesus commands us to forgive as much as seventy-seven times - basically every time, no exceptions. In light of the evil in the world today, it can seem almost impossible - and yet, we hear almost every day about how someone who has suffered a tremendous wrong forgives their malefactor. 

Forgiveness is more than a word on the lips; it is an attitude of the heart. Or challenge is to find the way to help those being persecuted or injured without becoming violent ourselves. Action is called for but it must be the action of Jesus. Join with Him in praying for peace.

The Lack of a Sign

The Lack of a Sign
A Lenten Minute Reflection for Monday, March 9, 2015 

by Dcn Bob Bonomi

How often do we get angry with God when He refuses to respond to our prayers with some miraculous event, especially when we see something miraculous happen for someone else?  In today's Gospel, Jesus angers the "elect" in the synagogue who are expecting special treatment from him.  They forgot, as we often do, that God Is God to everyone, not just a select few, and His miraculous signs are just that: signs to aid us in our faith, to inspire us, on our journey to God and not our final destination.

Are we ready to accept God and believe through the signs He does for others? Or are we like those in the synagogue who are jealous when we don't get what we want?

The Temples of our Bodies

The Temples of our Bodies
A Lenten Minute Reflection for Sunday, March 8, 2015 

by Dcn Bob Bonomi

One of the reflections that I read today came from "The Word Among Us" and focused on the line from today's Gospel, "Zeal for Your house will consume me." (John 2:17).  It compared the Lord's passion for the Temple in Jerusalem with His passion for us, for our bodies are the temples of His Holy Spirit.  What a thought! I've often been reminded that when we receive the Eucharist, we become tabernacles for the Body of Christ, but I've never thought about how our bodies are also temples. This Gospel reminds us that our bodies are indeed temples for the Risen Lord, just as Jesus referred to His own body as the temple which would rise in three days after it's destruction.

And if we are temples of the Holy Spirit, then the Lord's zeal for God's house extends to each one of us.  He wants to purify us; drive out the sin, the earthly concerns that weigh us down and which consume the space which we need for the Holy Spirit.  We, too, should have that same sort of zeal for God's temples - both in us and in our fellow man.  As we continue through Lent, let us allow the Holy Spirit do some "spring cleaning" within us, and prepare our temples for the Body of Christ.  If you haven't already done so, make time to clean house by the Sacrament of Reconciliation this week.

Encounters With Jesus

Encounters With Jesus
A Lenten Minute Reflection for Saturday, March 7, 2015 
by Dcn Bob Bonomi

When we hear the parable presented to us in today's Gospel, we usually focus on the wayward younger son, or the resentful older brother, or the loving and merciful father. But the passage begins with how the outcasts were drawing near to Jesus. Or rather, how Jesus drew near to them.

There are two things that we need to be aware of when we see Jesus interacting with sinners and tax collectors. First, Jesus was not afraid to associate with them. And second, He did not compromise His ideals but used the encounters with them to show them a better way to live.

When we deal with those family or friends that have fallen away from the truth, how do we respond? Do we turn our back on them like the Pharisees? Do we silently condone their waywardness and join them? Or, like Jesus, do we love them and show them the way back to God by our lives?

The Return of the King

The Return of the King
A Lenten Minute Reflection for Friday, March 6, 2015 
by Dcn Bob Bonomi

In the 3rd installment of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, "The Return of the King", the Ruling Steward of Gondor (Denethor) did not want to relinquish control of the kingdom to the rightful king, Aragorn.  Because of the long period of time that had passed since the last king, Denethor thought he should be king by virtue of his and his ancestors' being in control for so long.  He forgot the role of the steward, and he allowed his greed and the power entrusted to him to corrupt him, and it eventually drives him insane.

In today's parable, Jesus points out to the Pharisees and scribes that the power and authority entrusted to them belongs to God and He will hold them accountable for how they use it.  We too have been entrusted with many gifts from God; it's up to us on how to use them as good stewards.  May we use this time of Lent to recognize and use our gifts for His kingdom.

A Superior Attitude

A Superior Attitude
A Lenten Minute Reflection for Thursday, March 5, 2015 
by Dcn Bob Bonomi

In today's parable on Lazarus and the rich man, I'm always struck with the rich man's attitude towards Lazarus, even while he's experiencing his hellish torment.  He doesn't address Lazarus directly, asking for his help to intercede for him; he knows who Lazarus is but is unapologetic in his previous treatment of him. He still considers Lazarus as little better than a servant and assumes that Abraham does too. He wants Abraham to send Lazarus to help ease his own misery; when that doesn't work he wants to Abraham to send Lazarus to his brothers. He cannot accept Lazarus as his equal.

Are there those in our life that we encounter on a regular basis and who exist below our radar? Those who are outside of our "circle"?  Those we feel "superior" to?  We do well to remember that God will hold those who have not in this world closer to him in the next than those who think they have it all and don't need Him.

Be Careful What You Ask For

Be Careful What You Ask For
A Lenten Minute Reflection for Wednesday, March 4, 2015 
by Dcn Bob Bonomi

Today's Gospel might be titled, "Be Careful What You Ask For".  Jesus has just told His Apostles what's going to happen to Him shortly, and it's not going to be pretty. Yet, the only thought in their minds is jockeying for positions of honor. And it must have been in all of their minds. Maybe the other 10 were upset that they didn't think of it first?

How often do we jump into situations without understanding what will be asked of us? As Christians, Jesus makes it clear to us where the true honor lies: serving others without counting the cost.  This is what we should seek; do we really understand what we're asking?