GROW: Pay attention to the prominence of Scripture in today’s Mass. At Masses where there’s a Procession or the Solemn Entrance, we’ll hear the Gospel reading proclaiming Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. During our regular Liturgy of the Word, we’ll also read through the lengthy account of Christ’s passion (this year, from the Gospel of Matthew). Following the reading of the passion a brief homily may be given, but there may also be a period of silence rather than a homily.

GROW: The raising of Lazarus marks an irreversible turning point in Jesus’ ministry. It’s impossible to publicly raise someone from the dead and continue to fly beneath the radar. It’s no surprise that the next time we meet Jesus, he’ll be greeted with Hosannas and palm branches as the promised Son of David. But we also know that by raising Lazarus, Jesus attracts the attention of his enemies and sets himself on a course that ultimately leads to the cross. In our own life of discipleship, there may be times when we will have to step up and make a decisive and public choice for our faith or our values.

GROW: There has been much commentary over the centuries about Jesus’ use of saliva and mud to heal the man born blind. One of the most profound interpretations I have read reminds us that in Genesis, God made man out of “the dust of the ground.” (Gen 2:7) Jesus’ use of mud in the Gospel suggests that he is re-creating the blind man before him. The man receives a whole new life, such that even those who see him after his healing question whether he is the same person as before:

GROW: As the Israelites wandered in the desert, Moses heard their cries and recognized their deeper need, not simply for water, but for hope. And so Moses calls upon the Lord, who gives them water in the desert, revealing his trustworthiness. In the big and little ways that we ask the same question – “Is the Lord in our midst or not?” – our loving and generous Father reminds us that he has not abandoned us and that his goodness will ultimately prevail.

GROW: What struck me when I first read this passage from the Book of Genesis, in which the Lord speaks to Abraham, is God’s proclamation that it is through his will and his work that the blessings and goodness of Abraham’s future will come about. It is not a vague statement, in which the subject is omitted. God clearly says, “I will make your name great.” Abraham was a faithful servant of God and sought to obey God’s will, but that is not what made his name memorable. It is due to God’s will and generosity that Abraham’s blessings came about.

GROW: Although we’re at the very beginning of Lent, today’s first reading from Genesis prepares us for words we will hear on the night of the Easter Vigil: “O truly necessary sin of Adam, destroyed completely by the Death of Christ! O happy fault that earned so great, so glorious a Redeemer!” (Exsultet) O truly necessary sin?! O happy fault?! What could these words actually mean? I think the Exsultet is drawing us to see that sin is not the end of the story.

GROW: In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples that “unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” In Matthew 23:3-5, Jesus says, “Do and observe all things whatsoever [the scribes and Pharisees] tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice … All their works are performed to be seen.” What Jesus is inviting us to see is that to authentically live the commandments requires more than mere external compliance with the letter of the law.

GROW: My understanding of prayer changed when I read St. Teresa of Calcutta's statement that says, "I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us and we change things." Prayer is not an incantation that can change the will of God. It is the act of raising our hearts and minds to God, and of opening ourselves — our will, our understanding, our joys, and our sorrows — to be sanctified. The prophet Isaiah seems to be saying something similar in the first reading.

GROW: There have been many times when I have experienced “imposter syndrome” in my work, where I doubt my own ability. In these times, I often looked to others to try to determine if I was doing enough. But instead of giving me the validation and encouragement I was seeking, this act of comparison frequently led to dissatisfaction. I began to wish I was more like others — more outgoing, more disciplined, more organized. But who I am and the gifts that I have to offer are exactly what I am being called to give in my vocation.

GROW: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For most of my life, any time I have heard these words of Jesus, the emphasis has always been on “Repent.” Recently, I’ve started to pay more attention to the second half of Jesus’ proclamation: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Through his coming into our world and the beginning of his public ministry, Jesus’ reign has begun.

GROW: I have struggled when doing work that feels unseen. Has anyone noticed that the floors were mopped today? Do my students care about the feedback I provide on their writing? Does my supervisor notice the extra time I put into my work? In today’s Gospel we hear John the Baptist announcing Jesus as “the Lamb of God.” John has been preparing for the coming of Christ and now that Jesus has arrived, his role is to step aside and encourage his followers to move their gaze toward Christ, the Messiah.

GROW: We hear in today’s Gospel that at the moment of Jesus’ baptism, “a voice came from the heavens, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’” We can hear these words as a simple proclamation of who Jesus is – the beloved Son of God – but also as a proclamation of who we are called to be: the beloved adopted sons and daughters of God. I sometimes forget that I am also called beloved.

GROW: Have you ever had a moment where you’ve been so joyful that your heart “throbbed and overflowed”? (Is. 60:5) Perhaps this prompt might call to mind moments we have been chosen or noticed, especially when we otherwise felt sidelined or forgotten. (Imagine expecting to be picked last for the team, only to be someone’s first choice!) Today’s first reading speaks of a moment like that. While the nations of the earth are shrouded in darkness, God shines his light and glory on Jerusalem, and all the nations come streaming to her bearing precious tributes.