Word Sharing Circle Reflection Guide

REPENTANCE LEADS US TO LIVE A FRUITFUL LIFE IN THE LORD

Word Sharing Circle (WSC) Reflection Guide For March 28, 2025 P&W

3rd Sunday of Lent

Community Word: God's boundless love brings salvation to mankind in Jesus Christ.

Theme: We receive God’s boundless love when we are renewed from our sinful ways and live a fruitful life. 

Promise: “He redeems your life from destruction, he crowns you with kindness and compassion.” (Ps 103:4) 

Reflection:

The 3rd Sunday of Lent invites us to reflect on God's call to repentance and live a fruitful life. Repentance is a genuine change of heart and a willingness to align one's actions with God's will, turning away from wrongdoing and towards God. It is a powerful means for personal growth and spiritual renewal, allowing us to embrace forgiveness and live a more authentic life. Repentance opens the door to God's forgiveness and will enable us to heal from past hurts and mistakes, both those we've caused and those we've experienced. As we seek repentance and forgiveness for ourselves, we are also called to extend compassion and forgiveness to others, recognizing their humanity and growth potential.

Lent is the season for spiritual preparation characterized by prayer, fasting, almsgiving, reflection on one's relationship with God, and seeking a deeper connection with our Creator. But because of our sins, our relationship with God is affected. Lent is the time to pray and ask God's forgiveness. The Greek term for repentance is “metanoia," meaning a change of mind and remorse, a change in one's way of life that results in conversion. In the Hebrew Scriptures, the word “repent” often translates to “turn” or “return.” It embodies the idea of turning away from evil and embracing the good.

In the reading from Exodus, God promises to free the Israelites from slavery. We are reminded that God hears our cries and frees us from our sins and struggles. In the gospel reading, the parable of the fig tree demonstrates God's patience and mercy, giving people a chance to repent and change their lives. The passage emphasizes that our actions and deeds are crucial and that we should strive to bear good fruit, reflecting our faith and commitment to God. We are constantly reminded to seek God's guidance and direction allowing the Holy Spirit to cultivate fruitfulness in our hearts and lives. It also highlights the importance of bearing fruit of good deeds and a life of repentance.

Mark 1:15, says, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe.” Repentance and the parable of the fig tree, emphasize the need for transformation and fruit-bearing in our lives, leading to a life of good deeds. Repentance is a journey, not a destination. It's a continuous process of seeking God's guidance, acknowledging our shortcomings, and striving to live a life that pleases Him. It requires humility, the willingness to own up to our mistakes and seek God's grace and forgiveness.

In the busyness of our lives, it is easy to get stuck in our usual routines and overlook the areas in our way of life that need to be changed or transformed. Lent grants us a much-needed break to reflect and look inwardly. As we navigate through Lent, let us reflect on the deep meaning of repentance. How can we recognize where we have gone off track and make things right with God and others? How can we let go of old habits that hold us back from living fully in God’s grace? Let us embrace repentance as a powerful tool for spiritual growth and renewal that will bring us to a deeper alignment with God’s will. By this, we can be assured of this promise, “He redeems your life from destruction, he crowns you with kindness and compassion.” (Ps 103:4).

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, as we repent and seek your forgiveness, bring us to extend grace and mercy to others. Grant us the strength to turn away from our sins and make amends. Fill us with your love and compassion so that we can reflect your light in a world that desperately needs your healing touch. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Reflection Guide Questions:

1. What does repentance mean to you? How much time do you spend examining your life for those thoughts, speech, and actions that do not align with God's commandments? 

2.  Examine your life if you are bearing the fruit of good works.  Are you progressing in your effort to be fruitful?

This Week's Daily Mass Reading Guide:

March 23, 2025 (Sun) – Ex 3:1-8,13-15/ Ps 103:1-4,6,7,8,11/ 1 Cor 10:1-6,10-12/ Lk 13:1-9

March 24, 2025 (Mon) – 2 Kgs 5:1-15/ Ps 42:2, 3; 43:3, 4/ Lk 4:24-30

March 25, 2025 (Tue) – Is 7:10-14/ Ps 40:7-11/ Heb 10:4-10/ Lk 1:26-38

March 26, 2025 (Wed) – DT 4:1, 5-9/ Ps 147:12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 20/ Mt 5:17-19

March 27, 2025 (Thu) – Jer 7:23-28/ Ps 95:1, 2, 6-9/ Lk 11:14-23

March 28, 2025 (Fri) – Hos 14:2-10/ Ps 81:6-11, 14, 17/ Mk 12:28-34  

March 29, 2025 (Sat) – Hos 6:1-6/ Ps 51:3, 4, 18-21/ Lk 18:9-14

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ.  Read your Bible daily!”

Council of Servant Leaders

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Alfred S. Kudemus

CSL Secretariat

BLD Catholic Charismatic Covenant Community

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16