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Greetings!,
Below, you'll find a reflection for today, the Fifth Sunday of Lent, by Jean Stokan and Scott Wright.
As we approach Holy Week, many Pax Christi USA local groups are creating their own or planning on participating in a local "Way of the Cross" event on Good Friday, connecting the sufferings of Christ during his passion with the suffering of our brothers and sisters at the hands of violence, greed, poverty, sickness and war today. Please let us know if you have a Way of the Cross planned in your community. We are listing the names of groups, with contact information, which will be hosting or participating in a Way of the Cross this year. You can see more information on our Lent 2013 page on the website.
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REFLECTION FOR THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
By Jean Stokan and Scott Wright
Isaiah 43:16-21 | Philippians 3:8-14 | John 8:1-11
I am about to do a new thing. Do you not perceive it?
 We begin our fifth week of Lent on a note of power and amazement: "Our God is an awesome God!" (Psalm 47:2). Our God is the God of history, and can "make a way in the sea" for the people of Israel to march to freedom, a "way in the wilderness" for the exiles to return (Isaiah 43:16, 19). Our God is also the Creator of heaven and earth who can "make rivers run in the desert" and gardens to spring up to nourish the people (Isaiah 43:19).
The apostle Paul captures this spirit when he says: "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection...if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead" (Philippians 3:10-11). Yet he knows, and we know, that such knowledge comes with "sharing in Christ's sufferings by becoming like him in his death" (Philippians 3:10). We, too, are invited to take part in this "great adventure" and "press on towards the goal," with the confidence that "Christ Jesus has made us his own" (Philippians 3:14, 12). We are invited to live as resurrected beings in the midst of the world's crosses.
Yet we still cry out, "God, how long?" The journey of life is difficult and filled with crosses, as it is filled with blessings. But sometimes the crosses seem to overshadow the blessings; the darkness seems to overshadow the light; the suffering seems to overshadow the signs of resurrection; death seems to have dominion. At times, we find ourselves without hope....
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