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Lifelong Catechesis

Forming Catholic identity across generations
September 12, 2024
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Lent

Forty days before the Triduum, the Lenten season disposes Catechumens and the faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery through prayer and penitential practices.

Sunday Readings and Backgrounds

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Third Sunday of Lent

Reading I : Exodus 20:1-17

Keep my commandments.

  • In every covenant, there are laws, duties, and responsibilities that must be followed.
  • The Ten Commandments express the central law of the covenant made on Mt. Sinai.
  • They outline the characteristic relationships with God and with neighbor.

Reading II : 1 Corinthians 1:22-25

Christ is the power of God.

  • Signs are an important part of Israel's theology, as Paul notes in today's passage.
  • In Israel's life, signs always convey the message of the presence and power of God.
  • For those who can see, Christ is the ultimate sign of the presence and power of God.

Gospel : John 2:13-25

In three days, I will raise it up.

  • For Israel the temple is a sign of the presence of God.
  • Jesus cleanses the sign because it is no longer conveying the message.
  • Another message is added, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." Jesus transfers the sign of God's presence from the temple to his own body, raised from death.