Jesus’ longest-recorded conversation with anyone is the
one he has with the Samaritan woman at the well. She
discovers she can be honest with Jesus and goes and tells
others about him. She gives witness. She’s not the most
certain, thorough or even convincing witness. But her
witness is enough. It is inviting, humble, non-judgmental
and sincere. What is the quality of our witness? How do
our words and actions give daily testimony on behalf of
Christ? During this season of Lent, how might we do a
better job at proclaiming the risen Lord in word and deed?

In today’s second reading, Timothy is issued a strong
directive: “Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with
the strength that comes from God.” For the early Christians
this could mean torture and execution. For most Christians
today enduring hardship for the Gospel might include
accepting ridicule or mockery, or the suggestion that
we lack sophistication. Nevertheless, in his letters, Saint
Paul is adamant that we should not be ashamed of being
followers of Christ. Good stewards are not ashamed of their
allegiance to Christ. They do not hide their faith. Reflect
on this question: Are you willing to speak about following
Christ Jesus no matter who your listeners happen to be?

In today’s Gospel reading we listen to the confrontation
between Jesus and the devil, who thought he might tempt
Jesus to forget who he was and commit a grievous sin
when he was most vulnerable. Jesus had just spent 40 days
and nights out in the desert, alone, away from civilization.
He was hungry, thirsty, and tired. If there ever was a time
to tempt Jesus, that was it. Temptations to sin come at us
every day, from many directions and in many different
forms. When the temptation to sin tries to overcome us,
how do we react? Do we consciously remind ourselves
that we are followers of Christ? Is there a time this week
when you have needed to confront a temptation to sin?
What lessons did you take away from the experience?

In his Letter to Families, Saint John Paul II referred to the family as the
“domestic Church.” It is a phrase the Second Vatican Council brought forth
from the writings of the early Church fathers. It was a phrase the pope used
often, and describes family life as the center of Catholic spirituality and faith.
Those of us who live in a modern family, though, can attest to the incredible
challenges of creating a family life that fully lives up to that image of
“domestic Church.”.

Busy schedules can make family members feel as though they live as ships
passing in the night. Job demands, class schedules, school events, church
groups, business trips, commute times, sports – the list goes on. Experts tell us
the family dinner, a nightly event years ago, is an increasingly rare occurrence,
and even when families are together under one roof, computers, televisions,
and every imaginable screen demanding their attention keep them isolated
from each other in the same house, even the same room.

What can we do to make sacred the “domestic Church” within our homes?
What can we do to exercise better stewardship of our families? How about
starting with the family meal? Schedule a big breakfast or brunch on Sunday
after Mass. The table celebration could include everyone’s favorite food.
Make it a family event from beginning through clean-up. Keep a large, visible
calendar on which everyone’s schedule is noted, so that a family dinner can be planned and prioritized. That meal
should be a social occasion, not the
time to check if Bobby passed his
science test or scold Suzy because
she wouldn’t get out of bed that
morning. It is a time for pleasant
conversation, no electronic devices
permitted. And don’t worry if it’s not
roast beef – pizza out of a box and a
salad can be just as fun.

Then, create a plan to work on
family prayer time. Besides going
to Sunday Mass together, how
about a time in the evening when
everyone stops what they’re doing
and gathers for just a few moments
before bedtime for prayer? Perhaps
use commute times – the trip to the
soccer field or the morning drive to
school – to share a brief and heartfelt
prayer with your children. Do your
children see you pray with Scripture?
Let children see you make prayer
a priority. John Paul II stressed the
importance of prayer as a family.
“Prayer makes the Son of God present
among us,” he wrote.

What else might you do to
elevate the sacredness of your own
domestic Church? Do your children
see you honor special time with your
spouse? Do you make quality time
with each child individually? Do you
listen to them when they speak, or are
you checking your cell phone texts
as they talk? Communicate the idea
that family comes first and they will
catch on. As a steward, prioritize your
own sense of family stewardship. If
our children grow up with the idea
that “church” is indelibly linked to
“family,” their faith will grow stronger.

In another passage from his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus
continues to turn his disciples’ way of thinking upsidedown. One of the lessons for the Christian steward in
today’s Gospel is that if we have a chance to help someone
in need, we should be generous and give more than is
expected of us. Jesus went “the extra mile” for us. Can we
be more like Jesus and “go the extra mile” for others?

In today’s Gospel, part of his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus
does not speak of replacing the law of the Old Testament.
He goes beyond it. He obliges his followers to work at
being holier than even the strictest of Pharisees. But the
work is not accomplished by following a religious “law”, it
requires growing in love for other human beings. Followers
of Jesus know they are required to be good stewards of
others. In what way will you exercise good stewardship
over other people this week?