Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers...

She was the one that I'd wanted for all times

And each night I'd spend prayin' that God would make her mine

And if He'd only grant me this wish I wished back then

I'd never ask for anything again

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers

Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs

And just because He doesn't answer, doesn't mean He don't care

'Cause some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers 

She wasn't quite the angel that I remembered in my dreams

And I could tell that time had changed me, in her eyes too it seemed

We tried to talk about the old days, there wasn't much we could recall

I guess the Lord knows what He's doin' after all

And as she walked away, well, I looked at my [life]

And then and there I thanked the good Lord

For the gifts in my life

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers

Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs

And just because He may not answer, doesn't mean He don't care

'Cause some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered-

Some of God's greatest gifts are all too often unanswered-

Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

(Garth Brooks, 1990)

Some Self-Help for Self-Transformation & Moving on in Life...

To thank God for your unanswered prayers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QESLoxIId0 

To gain the strength to give up what doesn't belong to you: Watch the movie, Unanswered Prayers (2010)

Check your loyalty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWQW8jm4nJU    

Don't let this be you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDAzYuQcgMM  

What is your Magnificat (song of praises to God) in life? Will you start writing one today?

What are your life maxims that define who you are, what you have, and all that you do? Here are mine....

Through Grace To Renewal and Redemption...

Fernando, R. (2024, April 6). Through grace to renewal and redemption. Online Ministries: Creighton University. https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/040625.html

Reading 1, Isaiah 43:16-21

Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6

Gospel, John 8:1-11

Reading 2, Philippians 3:8-14

The readings for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year C, share a profound theme of renewal and redemption. From Isaiah’s prophecy of God making a way in the wilderness to Paul’s exhortation to forget the past and press on toward Christ, and finally, to the Gospel account of Jesus’ merciful response to the woman caught in adultery, we see a recurring message: God’s transformative power calls us to move forward, embracing grace over condemnation.

This theme of renewal and redemption through grace reaches its pinnacle in John 8:1-11, where Jesus encounters a woman accused of adultery. The religious leaders attempt to use this situation as a trap, expecting Jesus to either contradict Mosaic Law or undermine his message of mercy. However, his response shifts the focus from punishment to self-examination: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.” One by one, the accusers leave, recognizing their own shortcomings. Instead of condemnation, Jesus offers the woman a new beginning: “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on, do not sin anymore.”

This passage is a powerful reflection on the nature of God’s mercy. Jesus does not deny the seriousness of sin but prioritizes redemption over retribution. His words invite us to reflect on our own tendency to judge others while overlooking our faults. More importantly, they remind us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. Just as the woman was given a new chance, we too are called to rise from our past and walk forward in transformation.

In this Lenten season, these readings encourage us to embrace God’s invitation to renewal. Whether by letting go of past burdens, striving forward in faith, or showing mercy to others, we are reminded that God is always making a way for us, offering rivers in the wasteland of our lives.

Self-Reflective Questions:

• What past burdens or regrets do I need to release in order to fully embrace God’s new work in my life?
• How can I practice mercy and grace towards others, just as Jesus demonstrated to the woman in the Gospel?

Can a woman forget her baby?

“Can a woman forget her baby? 

Can she forget the child who came from her body? 

Even if she can forget her children, 

I will never forget you..."

(Is. 49:15)