A Prayer Poem by Sr. Juliemarie McDonald, SND
Third Sunday of Lent-Cycle B, March 11 , 2012
“He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of temple area…”
(John 2:15a)
Jesus, what ticked you off today at the temple?
What a reversal of your usual meekness and humility!
Why the whip cord?
You and the outcasts marginal of your time
Saw the need for the purification of the temple.
Your action was a prophetic sign,
Your cord was a whip of charity,
Your anger was just.
What do you see and think about today’s places of worship?
Do you still see the need for purification?
Lord, give me and others the courage to be prophetic witnesses
in our time and place.
Lord, teach us how to braid our cords into whips of charity,
so we can assist in the purification of today’s temples. Amen.
*****
Lectionary Readings for Third Sunday of Lent 2012
What are your thoughts and prayers for this day?
Is there a word, phrase, or verse from this Sunday’s readings or this poem which stands out for you? Please share it with us in the comments below.
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Sister Juliemarie McDonald joined the Sisters of Notre Dame of Chardon, Ohio in 1951. She holds an MA in English Studies from John Carroll University MA in Scripture from St. Charles Seminary. After 32 years of teaching classes ranging from first grade to college level, she then became a researcher, campus minister, director of religious education and a pastoral minister in Mease Hospital in Dunedin, Florida. In her semi-retirement, Sister Juliemarie writes reflections and faith sharing sessions for the young sisters in formation in Africa, Philippines, Korea, India and the USA. Her spare time is spent as a crafter.
The Sisters of Notre Dame of Chardon, Ohio, belong to an international congregation of more than two thousand apostolic women religious. We are one in mind and one in heart for the transformation of the world in Christ.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you, Sister. Benedict XVI offers an amazing reflection on this in his book, JESUS OF NAZARETH, Part II, chapter 1.
Thanks, Deb, I’ll check it out for deeper reflection. Looking forward to your coming.