Fifth Sunday of Lent

Write on My Heart

What is God writing on my heart these days? I often hear people use the expression, “it was on my heart today.” That expression is usually followed by some act of kindness, of remembrance, of love, of compassion. During this past year, I believe that God has been keeping the covenant of love alive in our hearts in bounteous and extravagant, compelling, and challenging ways.

We have been a light to each other, a life-line at many times and in many ways. We have connected with family and neighbors, with workers and strangers in very personal ways. We have strengthened our bonds of being in this together.

I have also been listening to many of my sisters and brothers who are reflecting on the paschal mystery in their lives. What is the suffering, death, and resurrection that we have experienced, personally and in common, during this year of life? Providentially, we are given readings that remind us that Jesus too “offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears.” What have been our most frequent prayers and supplications? How have we cried out both for ourselves and others? For whom have we shed tears? Ourselves, others, strangers?

“Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat, but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” This Sunday, we are invited to reflect on what we put into the ground, what did we let go of, bury? And are we seeing signs of new life? Have we been changed? Do we have new priorities? Do we think differently about our relationships? Have we pushed fear aside and been emboldened to learn to talk to people who are “different” from us, who weren’t part of our circle of friends in the past? What has God been writing on our hearts? With whom do we choose to share that? How will our seed planting bring new life to our families, to our church, to our country?

Listen to David Kauffman’s music and lyrics here: