Monday of the Second Week of Lent - March 14, 2022

-

 Daniel 9:4b-10            Luke 6:36-38

This selection from Luke comes closely after the Golden Rule. Luke starts this passage with “Be merciful just as your Father is merciful.” The Holy Spirit got me again! This is exactly the verse that I need for deep reflection. I also need to put this lesson into practice.

In my daily prayer, I express a constant need for repentance for being critical of others. It’s too easy for me to jump to conclusions; like when I saw that young woman in a dress I deemed too short and too tight. My mind immediately went to snarky thoughts like “is this the look she’s going for?” and “doesn’t she realize this is not attractive?” Stop, Millie! This was none of my business. She deserved kindness, not criticism.

Jesus clearly says, “Stop judging…Stop condemning…Forgive.” Jesus gives me several outs when he says, “…and you will not be judged…and you will not be condemned…and you will be forgiven.” Jesus makes it sound so easy. That’s the complexity of Jesus’s teachings, which seem so simple yet are difficult to carry out especially if I give in to my impulses.

I like to hear what others think about life’s challenges. I visited with a Hindi friend who talked about aiming for Perfection and getting trapped in human frailties. He warned against getting “sucked into idiotic traps” such as criticism. I read a quotation from Sr. Melanie Svoboda, “What are the lessons here? Be slow to label who or what is good or bad. Instead of searching for things in life to boo, join the Band of Believers. They are always on the lookout for good things to cheer for and good things to do.”

Fortunately, I have most of Lent ahead of me to continue my quest for repentance. I have the insight of my Hindi friend, Sister Melanie, and, especially, Jesus to support me in my thoughts and interactions. I can pray for the young woman. I can strive to be less judgmental and more understanding. The Holy Spirit is my constant companion and daily guide.

Q: Of whom have I been especially critical lately? My plan for changing my behavior whenever I catch myself being judgmental will be: (example: pray for their health and happiness, focus on a good quality they have and thank them for it.)

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