St. Mary's Catholic Church of Tomahawk, WI

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We are in the fifth week of Lent. The first reading tells us about the power of God over creation and a better future for the people of Israel. They were subtly encouraged to recall God’s wondrous deeds. Like the Israelites who did both recall and forget the mighty works of God, we are invited to recall and reflect on our own transformation. Leaving behind who we were and to focus on who we are now and what we would be in Christ Jesus through our transformation.

The second reading challenges us to consider our standards of loss and gain. St. Paul states that he considers everything as a loss in comparison to knowing our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet he considers all these losses as rubbish, in light of his relationship with Christ. What are our losses and gains in the knowledge of our Lord and in practicing them?

The gospel narrates the episode of a woman caught in adultery. This passage highlights the tensions between Jesus and Jewish leadership. They meant to trap Him regardless of His response. Jesus' response of mercy and forgiveness was not considered by them. This lack of condemnation was precisely what the scribes and Pharisees withheld. Eventually the Lord invites the woman to transform her life. Here is the same invitation for each one of us leaving the option to reflect and decide on what our own response will be towards the journey of transformation.

Fr. Aloysius Royan Anthony