Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.

—2 Corinthians 12:7–9

Paul writes that he had a thorn in his flesh to keep him from becoming too elated or too conceited. God allowed the wound to keep Paul humble, and while Paul begged God to remove this “thorn,” God did not so that Paul would come to rely upon grace.

God allows thorns in our lives too so that we will learn to rely upon his power and grace. When we rely on God’s grace completely, we see his power and might, which far exceeds our abilities to handle difficult situations on our own.

Where does God want you to lean into his grace and power? Ask God to help you to see your problems as an opportunity to receive his power.

 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.

So Moses cried out to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? A little more and they will stone me!” The Lord answered Moses: Go on ahead of the people, and take along with you some of the elders of Israel, holding in your hand, as you go, the staff with which you struck the Nile. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock in Horeb. Strike the rock, and the water will flow from it for the people to drink. Moses did this, in the sight of the elders of Israel. The place was named Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled there and tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord in our midst or not?”

—Exodus 17:4–7

God never appears to someone in the Bible and says, “I have a really easy job for you, and even the small obstacles I will smooth out so that you don’t notice them.” Nothing worth accomplishing is ever easy, but these obstacles are opportunities to lean into God. If we are willing to lean into God and depend on his grace, we will see his power as Moses did.

But if we choose to grumble and complain, we will miss out on his power. God’s power works through human weakness when we choose to trust him. He wants us to learn to rely upon him and his grace so we can become who he created us to be.

Ask God for the gift of humility to learn the lessons you need to be able to pass the tests of faith that will come your way today.

 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.

Moses replied to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to a test?” Here, then, in their thirst for water, the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “Why then did you bring us up out of Egypt? To have us die of thirst with our children and our livestock?”

—Exodus 17:2–3

Out in the wilderness, God tested the Israelites to see if they were as committed to their covenant as he was. It was a test they had failed before, and he was giving them another chance to pass. Rather than passing the test, they actually tested God as if he needed to prove himself to them. They forgot who they were and in confusion tried to judge God instead of acknowledging God as ultimate judge.

Hard times and difficulties test us. And through these trials, God gives us the opportunity to strengthen and improve ourselves, to choose to grow into people who trust him no matter the circumstances.

Ask God to help you see the challenges you are facing not as hindrances to block your path to joy and success but as tests to improve and strengthen your faith for the future.

 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.

From the wilderness of Sin the whole Israelite com- munity journeyed by stages, as the Lord directed, and encamped at Rephidim. But there was no water for the people to drink, and so they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.”

—Exodus 17:1–2

Having led his people out of slavery in Egypt, God pledged to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey. But at this point in their journey, they are stuck in the wilder- ness with not enough to eat or drink. They turn on their leader, Moses, and start to blame him for their situation. Rather than being patient or asking how they can help, they become demanding. Their hearts are hardening against God and against his servant.

When we face obstacles and difficulties, we have a choice—do we grumble and complain, or do we trust God to provide for our needs?

Name some of the things you often grumble and complain about. Pray for the grace to turn to God rather than grumble and complain about them.

 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.

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.