Fourth Sunday of Lent

In many ways it is hard to believe that it is already the Fourth Sunday of Lent. Time is flying by. As we begin this Fourth Week of Lent let us look back and see where we have followed our desires and where we have let others go. I always enjoy the Fasting and Feasting that we find shared at this time. Perhaps as we enter the Fourth Week we can renew our commitment to deepen our relationship with our loving God.

FASTING AND FEASTING

Let us fast from judging others and feast on the Christ that dwells in them.  Let us fast from anger and feast on patience.

Let us fast from resentment and feast on forgiveness.

Let us fast from discouragement and feast on hope.

Let us fast from lies and feast on the God’s truth.

Let us fast from wasting time and feast on the holiness of work.

Let us fast from gossip and feast on holy silence.

Let us fast from shame and feast on the mercy of God.

Let us fast from prejudice and feast on our kinship in Christ.

Let us fast from selfishness and feast on generosity.

Let us fast from worry and feast on the story of God’s care.

Let us fast from gloom and feast on the beauty that surrounds us.

Let us fast from busyness and feast on cherishing every moment.

International Women's Day

March is one of those busy months as we celebrate Women’s History Month, International Women’s Day, March madness, the promise of spring and so much more. Women’s History Month is the national recognition highlighting the contributions of women to events in history and in society.

On Sunday, March 8, 2026, we celebrate International Women’s Day. rally with women and girls around the world to demand equal rights and equal justice to enforce, exercise, and enjoy those rights.

Nowadays, no nation has closed the legal gaps between men and women. Right now, women have only 64 per cent of the legal rights that men hold worldwide. In fundamental areas of life, including work, money, safety, family, property, mobility, business, and retirement – the law systematically disadvantages women.

International Women’s Day 2026, under the theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls”, calls for action to dismantle all barriers to equal justice: discriminatory laws, weak legal protections, and harmful practices and social norms that erode the rights of women and girls.

Today’s Gospel for the Third Sunday of Lent recalls the Samaritan Woman at the Well as she encounters Jesus. Jesus gently reaches out to the woman, a sinner. In this encounter Jesus transforms her and raises her to new life. As we recall this woman may we honor the many women who have shaped our lives.

Prayer for Peace

Yesterday the United States and Israeli forces attacked Iran. The Maryknoll Mission Office sent out this prayer. May we pray for all involved in this attack. Let us bring peace and compassion to all who we come in contact with.

For families in Iran living in fear, and for all who live under the evil rain of bombardment, may they find safe refuge.
Lord, hear our prayer.

For world leaders, that they stop the bombs and choose diplomacy over destruction and dialogue over retaliation.
Lord, hear our prayer.

For all those who are poor and vulnerable, who bear the heaviest burdens of war, may their cries transform our hearts.
Lord, hear our prayer.

For the courage to see the face of God in our neighbors and to build a culture of genuine encounter.
Lord, hear our prayer.

For a lasting peace based on justice, mercy, and the sacred dignity of every life.
Lord, hear our prayer. Amen.