Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving aid us in this season to reignite our humanity. In addition, three Scrutinies of the Elect (4, 11, 18) remind us all of the need for humility on the Lenten path of renewal. In our ongoing quest for justice, March is dedicated to Women’s History, including International Women’s Day (8), honoring achievements of women in politics, culture, and society.

Like last week, we read of keeping God’s Commandments­—in particular, our obligations to God and others. How do the Commandments play a positive role in my life?

Travel to the bottom line of your life, for a moment. What’s there? What is your life about—what are you about? Are all your energies directed toward getting by? Getting your way? Being successful? Being invisible? Obeying orders? Doing what’s right? Following your heart? Following your appetites?

When the Passover Feast, celebrated each spring by the Jews, was about to take place, Jesus traveled up to Jerusalem. He found the Temple teeming with people selling cattle and sheep and doves. The loan sharks were also there in full strength.

A city boy in the suburbs with his family visiting relatives he never met—it was a recipe for disaster.

If they had to sit through one more employee meeting with the accounting supervisor insisting that what the company needed was a little more love, they were going to jump out of their skins.

One day I was walking in downtown Chicago, passing sights so familiar to me that they hardly registered. My progress was interrupted by a group of tourists from a foreign country who had stopped in their tracks and stood pointing and staring at the front of a building across the street from us.

We know the ways of God. We ask forgiveness for when we do not follow them.

I know your misery, the inner struggle of your heart. I also know the weakness of your heart. I am aware of your cowardice, your sins, and your falls. I still tell you, “Love me as you are.” . . . If you want to be perfect before giving me your heart, you will never love me.