Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: March 3, 2024

Date:  Third Sunday of Lent

Scripture Text:  1 Corinthians 1:22-25

Brothers and sisters: Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The second reading for today is drawn from the first chapter of Paul’s 1st Letter to the Corinthians in which he raises the profound difference between God and humanity and proclaims the Good News of Christ.

Paul notes that Jesus is a stumbling block to many because we don’t think like the LORD or judge like the LORD. “Jews demand signs.” Could there be a better sign than Jesus Christ as to the power and presence of the LORD at work in our world? Could there be a more profound sign of the LORD’s love for us than the life of His only-begotten Son? And “Greeks look for wisdom.” Christ himself is “the Way, and the Truth, and the Life.” Paul says it well: Christ is “the power of God and the wisdom of God.”

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I proclaim Christ crucified? Or do I avoid that and only speak of His teachings and miracles? Do I avoid acknowledging the sacrifice on Calvary because of my feelings of guilt?  

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, we continue our journeys of faith, hope and love during this Lenten season to Calvary and to witnessing and remembering the selfless sacrifice of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, for us and for our redemption, to reconcile us to You and to defeat sin. Send your Spirit to help us acknowledge our own role in the sacrifice, our own sins, and to embrace humbly your love for us. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.