This week's readings Week of Feb. 24 - Mar. 2 Sunday, Feb. 24, 2002 Reading I: Genesis 12:1-4a Reading II: 1 Timothy 1:8b-10 Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9 Monday, Feb. 25, 2002 Reading I: Daniel 9:4b-10 Gospel: Luke 6:36-38 Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2002 Reading I: Isaiah 1:10, 16-20 Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12 Wednesday, February 27, 2002 Reading I: Jeremiah 18:18-20 Gospel: Matthew 20:17-28 Thursday, Feb. 28, 2002 Reading I: Jeremiah 17:5-10 Gospel: Luke 16:19-31 Friday, March. 1, 2002 Reading I: Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a Gospel: Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46 Saturday, March 2, 2002 Reading I: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20 Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 Pope's Prayer Intentions February General Intention Leadership by Catholic hospitals in defending human life and dignity: That Catholic hospitals may stand out in relieving suffering and proclaiming the Gospel of life and respect for every person. February Mission Intention Vocations in Cambodia and Laos: That the Christians of Cambodia and Laos may promote priestly and religious vocations with intensified devotion.

The garden of Lent:

		Word of God  Word of Life  Fr. John G. Stillmank

Lent, which means "springtime," is a time of renewal and growth for those who trust in God's mercy. As by Eastertime the earth will be renewed, green, and budding once more, so our Christian springtime of Lent renews us, refreshing our faith, hope, and love.

The transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain in the presence of his closest disciples could have been such a springtime for them, but they were not able to comprehend it. Until the day of Pentecost, even those closest to Jesus were not able to grasp the totality of who he is, of his mission.

In the Book of Genesis, when God spoke to Abram, promising to make of him a great nation, the Lord formed one of the many covenants he has had with his people.

"As by Eastertime the earth will be renewed, green, and budding once more, so our Christian springtime of Lent renews us, refreshing our faith, hope, and love."

With Adam and Eve, a covenant of trust was radically broken, and sin came into the world - the human race lost the bliss of God's friendship in the garden of Eden, because truly we did not know how to be friends.

With Noah, and Abram, and Moses, God made a new covenant, each one fuller, more demanding, more promising. God wants us to be his friends, and always reaches out even when we reject his love.

Then God sent his Son to bring the new covenant in his blood. By his death on the cross Jesus sealed that new covenant forever. He is the one, as the psalms tell us, who is upright and trustworthy, who loves justice and right, who has delivered from death those who "hope for his kindness."

Jesus really is God's friend, and teaches us once more how to be friends too.

"He saved us and called us to a holy life," says Saint Paul. He "destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel."

Readings for Second Sunday of Lent (Feb. 24) Genesis 12:1-4a Psalm 33 1 Timothy 1:8b-10 Matthew 17:1-9

The actions of God are always a springtime of hope, love, mercy, renewal, salvation, faith, growth, witness, inspiration - there is no end to what God can accomplish in us if we, like Abram, like Paul, like the saints and especially like Jesus open our eyes and hearts to the fullness of God's love for us.

Entering into the garden of Lent, the place where we belong now after losing the garden of Eden, we find ourselves in an excellent place. God walks in the garden of Lent, and his name is Jesus. He tills the soil, tending and watering the seeds of gospel faith he has planted until they bear much fruit.

"Do not be afraid," he says. We who "listen to him" are God's friends once more. Our springtime of hope has come.

Fr. John G. Stillmank is Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Madison and pastor of St. Andrew Parish, Verona, and St. William Parish, Paoli.