…for the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
I Cor. 1:25
Day 19: Third Sunday of Lent – I Corinthians 1:25
For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
Today’s Lenten Reflection
The paradox of the Cross is central to our lives as Christians. Salvation was earned for us through suffering — “carrying the cross.” Victory over death was earned through the most barbaric treatment and ultimate execution. Understood in basic human terms, the crucifixion would be something to downplay or hide. Why would we want to advertise someone suffering, a crucified King? To the contrary however, we do not hide the Cross; we proudly display it as a sign of hope and faith and the coming resurrection. We may hang a crucifix in our home or even wear one around our neck to remind us that we are saved through God’s great grace and mercy. The Cross is a sign that God will save us in spite of ourselves, because our God knows what it means to be human. After the cleansing of the temple in today’s Gospel, the story ends reminding us that Jesus “did not need anyone to testify about human nature. He Himself understood it well” (John 2:25). We are blessed with the loving humility of a God willing to be born in a dirty manger to an impoverished teenage girl, willing to live a life of poverty, die in shame, and entrust His divine mission to a group of fisherman. Godly wisdom is oftentimes disguised as “foolishness,” strength disguised as weakness, and salvation disguised as death on a Cross.
Day 19 Lenten Meditation
Notice the crosses that hang around you, not only in your home but perhaps in unlikely places or places you have never paid much attention before. Keep your eyes open, they are everywhere. On Churches, of course, but also woven into the fabric of our lives, communities, and persona. When we mark ourselves with the sign of faith, no matter how we do it, we mark ourselves as one of Jesus’ tribe, as disciples of Christ who may not always get it right but who keep on trying, who trust in the greatness and saving grace of our Lord … who trust in the Cross of Christ crucified. Look for those Crosses. What are they saying to you today? What is it reminding you of? If you wear one around your neck or display one in your home, how often do you prayerfully contemplate its meaning? Take some time to do that today. Your Spirit will flourish.
Lenten Prayer
Provident Father, thank You for sending Your Son to purify us of our sins. Even when we are frustrated, please give us the grace to accept His work in us with a spirit of gratitude. God of all faithfulness, we trust in Your wisdom even when we don’t understand it, even when the world thinks we are fools for believing. We believe, we trust and we love you. Amen.
Today’s suggested Penance
*Make plans to volunteer somewhere in your community that is dedicated to helping the poor. Follow through on the commitment.
“Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them. Every day begin the task anew” –St. Francis de Sales.
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