DAY 23: Thursday of the Third Week of Lent - SPIRITUAL JOURNEY FROM LENT TOWARDS EASTER

The Prophet Jeremiah in the first reading (Jer: 23-28) laments before the Lord about the unfaithfulness and stiffness of hearts of the people of Israel. He recounts how the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites and made promise to them that He will be their God and assured them of blessings and/or prosperity if they remain faithful to His commandments. The grieving prophet groans to the Lord that His people totally turned their back to their God. On the other hand, Jesus on the reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 11: 14-23), is being confronted by the crowds on account of his driving out of demons. He declares that, "Whoever is not with me is against me, and who ever does not gather with me scatters." Here we are reminded of the stubbornness and hardness of heart of the people of Israel as bewailed by the Prophet Jeremiah. By refusing to believe in Jesus and being hypocritical towards His teachings and miracles, Jesus grieves for them. Fr. Budge shares his reflections on the above readings as he continuously guide us in our spiritual journey from Lent towards Easter.