On the surface, it’s not difficult to come up with our own lists of things that God does or doesn’t do, says or doesn’t say, that do not make sense to us. This week we will be looking at times when God appears to put obstacles in our way, things we think prevent us from making progress or having a more successful life. Instead of viewing these as ways God discourages us, the Bible often reveals these as ways in which God tests and strengthens our faith.

Today, thank God for the times in your life when a difficult trial made you stronger in faith by teaching you to better trust the Lord. Pray for patience and courage in hard times that may lay ahead.

 This reflection from Messages of Trust for Lent, originally published by Ave Maria Press, was reprinted with permission of the authors, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. For more parish resources, visit https://www.rebuiltparish.com/.

Responsorial psalms are excerpted from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Other scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Psalm 103

The Lord is kind and merciful.

Bless the Lord, O my soul;

and all my being, bless his holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits. The Lord is kind and merciful. He pardons all your iniquities,

he heals all your ills.

He redeems your life from destruction,

he crowns you with kindness and compassion.

The Lord is kind and merciful.

He will not always chide,

nor does he keep his wrath forever.

Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes.

The Lord is kind and merciful.

This reflection from Messages of Trust for Lent, originally published by Ave Maria Press, was reprinted with permission of the authors, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. For more parish resources, visit https://www.rebuiltparish.com/.

Responsorial psalms are excerpted from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Other scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to any- one until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” Then the disciples asked him, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him what- ever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.”

—Matthew 17:9–12

Because they have not yet witnessed the Resurrection, the disciples are susceptible to drawing the wrong conclusions about Jesus and his mission.

Jesus does not bring about a kingdom of political power but rather a kingdom that restores life and creation to be as God intended. Death and suffering were not part of God’s creation; they entered the world through sin. The Transfiguration points to a restoration and ultimate redemption of all persons and things, what our Christian faith calls “salvation.” God is at work now in our world, but God’s kingdom is not yet complete. Jesus conquered death, and we can confidently trust that death will not have the final word.

Today, pray that God will restore the broken and suffering people of the world. Ask for the healing of relationships you see in your communities and in the media—if not in this life, then in the life to come.

 This reflection from Messages of Trust for Lent, originally published by Ave Maria Press, was reprinted with permission of the authors, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. For more parish resources, visit https://www.rebuiltparish.com/.

Responsorial psalms are excerpted from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Other scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

—Matthew 17:6–8

The Old Testament taught that people could not look upon the face of God and live, so the disciples fall prostrate to hide themselves. Jesus tells them not to be afraid, and when they look up, only he remains.

Sometimes, our desire for answers from God comes from a need to be in control of our cir- cumstances. When we don’t feel in control, we feel afraid. But this assumes we would be less afraid if we knew the answers to questions such as, “Why suffering and death?” or that any answer would suffice. The peace of Jesus goes deeper than the kind of mental satisfaction we feel when we have the answers to our questions. Jesus accepts our questions and still says to us, “Do not be afraid.”

Tell God what things make you feel afraid. Ask God to stay near to you in your questions where you don’t feel like you have a good answer.

 This reflection from Messages of Trust for Lent, originally published by Ave Maria Press, was reprinted with permission of the authors, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. For more parish resources, visit https://www.rebuiltparish.com/.

Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran offer Messages of Trust for Lent. The brief, three-minute, scripture-based reflections, to pray with from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday, offer practical, everyday wisdom that will allow you to see the power of trusting God in all circumstances. Be ready to welcome the joy of Easter morning.