Ash Wednesday – February 26

-

Joel 2:12-18 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

In today’s second reading, Paul pleads with the Corinthians to “be reconciled to God!” In Paul’s mind, reconciliation had far more signifi cant implications. I gather his message was a call to come together for a common purpose – to extend Christ’s mission in the world – while reconciling humanity with God.

Like the Corinthians, we need to reconcile with God continuously for our own spiritual growth while serving as a personal witness to bring others to Christ.

In the Gospel, Jesus challenges his disciples to give alms, pray, and fast without expecting credit in return. Instead, the disciples must have faith that “your Father, who sees what no man sees, will repay you.” Who can relate to that in a Catholic community? I find myself reflecting on the Visitation faith community’s common purpose. How do we bring others to Christ? Perhaps we do it by showing up for each other, our families, and ourselves without expecting anything in return.

But, how do we show up for each other? Perhaps we could support a friend as he or she tries something new. Perhaps we could invite a friend to join us at Mass. Perhaps we could join a Lenten small group to share common experiences and observations.

How can we show up for our families? Perhaps we could take on a chore our spouse normally assumes. Perhaps we should call our parents more often and make sure to tell them we love them. Perhaps we can commit to family dinners (with no phones). Perhaps we can participate in family prayer. Perhaps we can set aside time for “date nights” to reconnect with the person who helped start it all.

And, how do we show up for ourselves? Perhaps we commit to reconciliation before Easter, no matter how long it has been? Perhaps we commit to praying each morning during Lent. Perhaps we learn to forgive ourselves for the times we think we have fallen short.

Q: As you reconcile with God this Lenten season, how will you show up for this Visitation Faith Community with no expectation of credit? And will you be able to have faith in God seeing what is hidden and repaying you in a way only God can?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Passion of the Lord (Good Friday) - April 7, 2023

-
Isaiah 52:13-53:12 Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 John 18:1—19:42  Every morning when I go to Mass and the Priest asks for our intentions for the day, my response is for “wisdom, courage, comfort and trust.” Wisdom to fi gure out the answer, the courage to carry it out, and the comfort that it is the best solution and the trust to know God is guiding us in the best way. When I read the Psalms for today, I was taken back by David’s trust in the Lord to guide him and keep him safe. “In you, Lord, I take refuge”  A good friend coined this prayer when I was helping my parents navigate through my brother’s cancer. He passed away, but I continue to take comfort in those words and try daily to TRUST. Many people have commented on how they appreciate that petition so I continue to pray it.  There are big things and little things that come into our lives that require us to trust as David did. Some things are as small as smiling at the person at the traffic light or as big as standing up for another’s r
Read more

Monday of the First Week of Lent - March 11, 2019

-
Leviticus19:1-2, 11-18  Matthew 25:31-46 As I read my assignment for today, I felt relief. I knew these readings; I could relate to them. I had heard them multiple times and thought that I understood them well. The first reading from Leviticus tells me to love my neighbor as myself and to judge my neighbor justly. I know this! I believe this in my head! I often find it difficult to carry out, but I do believe it. Today’s gospel, Matthew 25, many of us know well through readings, songs, and social concerns committees, "Whatever you do for one of the least of …mine, you do to me." Feed the hungry; give drink to the thirsty; welcome the stranger; clothe the naked; comfort the sick; visit the prisoner. We try to do these things in our life. I decided to read our parish book, Stranger God by Richard Beck, to see how it could expand my understanding of Matthew 25 – and expand it did! After I read the book, I realized that I had been reading Matthew 25 literally.
Read more

Monday of Holy Week - April 3, 2023

-
Isaiah 42:1-7 John 12:1-11  One of my New Year’s resolutions is to be more mindful about how I spend my time. When we started having kids, everyone was always telling us, “enjoy it while it lasts because they grow up so fast!” I’d look at my tiny baby and think, yeah okay, we’ve got a long way to go. Fast forward 6 years, we have a kindergartener, and I am constantly asking myself, “where did the time go!?!?”  This Gospel is a reminder to me that I need to take advantage of every moment just as Mary decided to take advantage of that special moment with Jesus when she anointed his feet. It is so easy to get caught up in the busyness of everyday life and fi nd ourselves just going through the motions without putting much thought into the importance of our actions. When I am at church, am I really present? I often fi nd that my focus is on how my children are behaving and if they are disturbing the people around us. When I am at home, am I making the most of my time with my family? Sadly,
Read more