Everything that is read in today’s liturgy contains, in some ways, a warning and a promise. We certainly know that all of Lent has been a preparation for the momentous events of Holy Week and Easter. But when the date of Easter–and the church calendar–allow for a fifth Sunday in Lent, as they do this…

Normally we think of Lent as a somewhat somber time, a time of penitence in preparation for (our remembrance of) the Crucifixion on Good Friday, followed by the celebration of the Resurrection on Easter Day. However, today’s readings remind us that there is more to our preparation than feeling penitent, however important penitence may be….

One way or another we are always remembering. We look back over the day, the week, the year, trying to figure out where we have come from and where we are going. We remember with the hope that we will find a clue as to whom we are and what we are becoming. We began…