A Reflection for the Thursday of the Third Week of Lent, by Molly Cahill

It is understandable not wanting to take the time to draw attention to the second anniversary of the recent surreal horror show of Covid-19. But there are also many moments of grace scattered across the landscape of lockdowns.

The issue is spiritual hunger. Where do we wander when we fail to recognize it, and how might awareness of it bring us home?

The pope recorded the messages in the spur-of-the-moment when he received the new bishop of Hong Kong, Bishop Stephen Chow Sau Yan, S.J., in a private audience at the papal library in the Vatican’s apostolic palace.

If we become numb to the suffering of others, even the Kims and Kanyes of the world who may seem beyond our sympathetic reach, we may also be numbing ourselves to the suffering of people in our own lives.

A Reflection for the Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent, by Michael J. O’Loughlin

With over a million total downloads, “Jesuitical” has reached listeners globally, grown an online community, found financial supporters and is even hosting a pilgrimage to Italy in September.

“Does the transmission of faith—and of the meaning of life—follow this path today, of listening to the elderly?” Pope Francis asked in his general audience.

Sigrid Undset wrote the famous “Kristin Lavransdatter” trilogy and won the Nobel Prize. She also was a sometime contributor to America during the Second World War after the Nazi invasion of Norway had forced her into exile.

“In every age you make yourself known to us, calling us to conversion. At this dark hour, help us and grant us your comfort.”