Yahweh put water in the desert—impossible; Saint Paul tells us we will attain resurrection from the dead—impossible; the adulterous woman is condemned by no one—impossible.

God keeps all promises even when we don’t, and God is forever willing to be reconciled with us. God promises to provide for us, to feed us, to love us. All we need to do is trust in God. 

God tells Moses: “I am who am”—I AM, for short. God needs no point of reference, no proof. God is, period. We either accept it or we don’t.

Today’s readings take us into the realm of signs, symbols, promise, and revelation. Take a moment to think about the strongest sign of God’s presence in your life and the greatest symbol of your faith.

How is the season of Lent different from other seasons? This is the season in which we tend to the spiritual tasks of penance, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving in order to deepen our experience of God’s presence and strengthen our faith.

Blessedness is not conditional. It’s always available. Blessedness comes not through success in the eyes of the world but from being connected to the true God—“Like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream.”

In the readings this Sunday, the spiritual dynamic seems to be threefold: God draws near; sensing our own unworthiness, we protest; grace overcomes our weaknesses, failings, and fear, resulting in abundance far beyond our imagining.

Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” the amazed throng asks about Jesus. They want to put him in his place, a familiar place, a nonthreatening place. Do I try to put limits on God? On other people?

Today’s readings have a special message for preachers because they show the positive effects of deeply hearing the Word of God. Nehemiah proclaims and interprets the law with such power that the people respond with tears

For the Lord delights in you.” Oddly, these can be difficult words to hear. We know how unworthy we feel before God. Yet, God, who knows all things and sees all things, still delights in us.