As we are nearing the end of our Lenten journey, our readings today remind us of the goodness that our God has to offer us. 
 
In today's Gospel, Jesus announces that the “hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”  All that He came to do on this earth was soon to be fulfilled. When we reflect on what Jesus says in this passage, He tells us a great deal about how we should be living as disciples of Christ. He clearly states, “unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” 
 
We are called to detach from our own desires and entrust our lives to all that God has in store for us. Without self-denial, we might miss occasions God has given us to produce good fruit. We have been practicing this throughout our Lenten season through fasting. One way to continue this effort after Lent is by taking advantage of the countless opportunities God presents to us to sacrifice our desires for something much greater — whether waking earlier to spend time in prayer, fasting from a favorite comfort on a weekly basis, or taking the time to check in on a friend or family member instead of turning on the TV, just to name a few. It is important that we continue to make room for God and the good things He wants to produce in us all year long. 
 
As our Lenten journey soon concludes, may we consider the ways in which we might continue the practice of self-denial by offering small, daily sacrifices to the Lord.
 
— Stewardship Reflections by Catholic Stewardship Consultants

Our readings today identify the most unlikely individuals for the most extraordinary tasks. These individuals are examples to us in our lives. 
 
In our First Reading, the Lord appoints Samuel to declare the next king of Israel. The Lord’s words to Samuel about who should become king cut right to the heart of what matters in God’s eyes, “man sees the appearance, but the Lord looks into the heart.” We often embrace the misconception that things like status and appearance are what carry importance in life. Yet, God clearly states that it is what is in our hearts that matters most. So how do we cultivate hearts worthy of God? It starts in prayer — giving God undivided attention each day. Through this time set aside for our Lord, He will work on our hearts so that they will become more like His.
 
Our Gospel resounds what was proclaimed in our First Reading, “not as man sees does God see.” Jesus heals a blind man who people assumed was born blind as a punishment from sin. Yet, Jesus says, “Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.” 
 
Jesus often worked through the most vulnerable people to show His greatest works. Like the blind man, we must recognize our need for healing and give God the authority to work through us. 
 
During these final weeks of Lent, let us ponder God’s words, “not as man sees does God see.” May we become dependent on our Lord so that He might work through us and transform us.
 
— Stewardship Reflections by Catholic Stewardship Consultants

Our readings call us to roll up our sleeves and persevere through the remainder of Lent by committing to a more faithful life with Christ.
 
In today's Gospel, Jesus purifies the temple area because it is being misused as a marketplace. He becomes angry at their lack of reverence for God. He spills the coins of the money-changers and overturns tables, saying, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” 
 
Jesus witnessed the way people mistreated the temple — the place to worship God and God alone. He drives out evil and works to purify all that is sinful in that place. This is what Jesus wants to do for us this Lenten season. He wants to remove all impurity and evil in our lives and hearts so that we may have a proper dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. Let us ask ourselves, what areas of our life need cleansing? Let us name those areas and invite Jesus to purify us. He became man to carry our burdens and wipe away our sins. He has given us boundless mercy, but we must do our part to seek it and commit to living a more faithful life as a disciple of Christ. With this knowledge, let us seek to be purified from our sins so that our hearts might be a true temple of the Holy Spirit. 
 
This season of Lent is only halfway done — there is still time to work through our shortcomings and purify our hearts for Easter morning. But let us not waste another moment. Let us name our shortcomings, seek God’s mercy and invite Him to transform our hearts. 
 
— Stewardship Reflections by Catholic Stewardship Consultants