Monday Week OneLeviticus 19:1-2, 11-18Matthew 25:31-46
Be Holy As Is God
We all know that God is divine. This is how we define God. But how does one define divinity? One might say that divinity means omniscience and omnipotence. These are both proper descriptions, possibly even definitions of divinity, but how can a human relate to these things? We know so many things that are more powerful than we and so many people who are more intelligent than ourselves. Maybe we can imagine the divinity of God as all love or all compassion. I think this gets us closer for we can relate better to this understanding of God. We have all loved and been loved. We all try to show compassion.
The best definition I have ever heard for divinity, at least the one that seems to make sense and in which I can participate is this: to the extent that I am able to live for others is the degree in which I participate in the divinity which is God.
Our readings today speak about living for others as the way that leads to God, and thereby to God's divinity. The book of Leviticus, from which our first reading is drawn, is a book of laws. For most of us today when we think of the law we think of restrictions. We hear of all the things that the law does not allow and we think that a straightjacket has been placed around us. Laws, however, are only restrictive to those who want to get away with more than is actually theirs in the first place. Laws order our lives and keep us from living in chaos. Imagine driving on the highways with no laws. The Law for the Hebrew people was a way of life. It was their method of finding God. The Law was a path which if followed would lead one to a more full and complete life in God's presence. In the reading God tells Moses that it is in caring for others that we find God. God says we are not to defraud, to be just to the weak and the strong. We are to make no judgments; we are to cast aside hatred and revenge. In short, we are to love our neighbor as ourself, the same exhortation we heard in last week's readings.
The Gospel story of the end times, what is known as eschatological literature, is familiar to all of us. Jesus says that when we do things for others, especially the least of our sisters and brothers, we do it for him. When we are compassionate, when we share and visit others, then we find God and participate in the divinity which is God. When we find God in this life we have the promise of eternal life as well. On the other hand if we neglect to be present to others, to feed, clothe or visit them, then we have neglected God as well. Such inattention will lead to eternal condemnation.
Lent challenges us with renewal in all aspects of our lives. We are asked this day to reflect upon the opportunities which God gives us to live for others and, thereby, to share in God's divinity. The opportunity today might be helping someone who needs you; it may be a visit to a sick neighbor. The opportunity today may be merely a kind word offered at the right moment. Let us look for the opportunities that God provides this day. Let us see them as a path to life. Let us serve others. Let us be holy as God is Holy.
Tuesday Week OneIsaiah 55:10-11Matthew 6:7-15
Prayer Nourishes Us
Anyone who has ever tended a garden, whether it be vegetables, flowers or other plants, can understand the need for water. Water is life sustaining to plants; without water plants wither and die. The water which ultimately comes from the heavens sinks down deep into the soil. It gives nourishment to the roots which supply the needs for the whole plant. The water has a distinct purpose; water gives life. The same need that plants have for water is present with humans. We use water in drinking, cooking, cleaning and even transportation through the great rivers and oceans of our world. Ancient civilizations knew the importance, the absolute necessity, of water as well as we do today.
The imagery of Isaiah in today's First Reading is alive for all of us, even if we live in the concrete jungle of the city. The water, we are told, will not return to the clouds until it serves its purpose. We know this is true from our own experience in working with or observing plants. In a similar way God's word is like the rain and snow that come from the heavens; they will not return until they too accomplish their purpose. It might seem today, in a world which appears on the surface to care little for God or God's message of peace, that the word of God is not accomplishing the purpose for which it was given to our world. This is only the surface appearance, however. Talk sometime with a person who works with prisoners or with the poor. You will find in their reflections on life and ministry plenty of genuine stories of faith and conversion. People continue each day to hear the word of God, be moved to action, and in the process serve the needs of God and God's people. God's word continues to be as effective and as challenging as the two-edged sword metaphor used by the author of the Letter to the Hebrews in describing God's word.
God's word for us can be best seen in prayer. Today's Gospel gives us the most complete and yet simple prayer we can possibly find. The Lord's Prayer is the only one which Jesus taught his disciples and thus it has immense significance for those of us who follow in the Fisherman's footsteps. In this prayer, a reflection of God's word, we ask for our daily needs. We also ask to be forgiven as we forgive others. For God's word to be effective, for it to water and nourish us, as it was intended to do, we must be open to a change of heart. We must be willing to forgive and be forgiven. In short, the Lenten season calls us to be a reconciliation people. Reconciliation begins with self, moves to others and finds its ultimate fulfillment in our pursuit and discovery of God. It is up to us, however, to pursue reconciliation and make it a reality in our lives.
Today as we live in God's presence, let us allow God's word to water and feed us as the rains and snow water the land and its produce. Let God's word penetrate us. Let us be strengthened by God's word for the Lenten journey ahead!
Wednesday Week OneJonah 3:1-10Luke 11:29-32
The Courage To Change
Change is something we all experience, whether we like it or not. Change is all about us. The weather changes from day to day and we have absolutely no control over it. Fashion changes from season to season. One year it is wide ties and pump shoes and the next it is narrower ties and loafers. Changes exist even in the Church. We move from the white of the Christmas season, to the green of ordinary time, to the purple of the present season of Lent. The Gospel acclamation is changed in Lent and the Gloria is not prayed. The tone of celebration is more somber and reflective.
Are you a person who welcomes change or resists it? Some people like change for change's sake. They see it as exciting, even necessary, to keep things in perspective. Other people are highly resistant to change. They see change as too risky and challenging, or simply too much trouble.
What does it take for you to change? What changes are possible for you? Changing the externals is usually acceptable to most -- it is not threatening. We can change our outward appearance through hairstyle or clothes, we can rearrange the furniture in our home, we can even shuffle the worship space in our churches and few, if any, seem to be offended. These changes are transitory; they are not permanent. Maybe this is why they are easier to accept. A fashion consultant, interior decorator or Church liturgist can effect change and most remain calm and unflustered.
What about change on the inside, in our hearts? Here the change is more difficult. Such changes cannot be seen, yet they are permanent. They are filled with risk because we know that something basic to who or what we are will necessitate some alteration. Our fear leads to hesitation toward or even rejection of such change.
Our readings today talk about change. They refer to the latter type of change, on the inside. We are given two different reactions to change as well as two different people as signs of the need to change. The Ninevites, from what we know in the Hebrew Scriptures, were a rebellious and sinful people. They lived for the day; they refused to seek God. Yet, they are told to change their whole lives, their thoughts, their hearts. They are asked to change on the inside and they do it without hesitation. Jonah can only make it through one-third of the city, and all are converted.
Jesus came to another people at a later time. They too were sinful in Jesus' description of this as an evil age. The people of Jesus' day as well needed to reform, to change on the inside, but they refused. The people had the preaching of Jesus as a sign, one much greater than Jonah, but they still refused to listen and heed the warning of God. Because of their rejection of Jesus' message, it is the people of Nineveh who will condemn them.
What about us -- what sign, what person or event do we need in order to change? Sociologists say that our basic social and moral values are "locked-in" by age 18. In order to change we need to experience a "significant emotional event" or S.E.E. in our lives, such as a death in the family, loss of job, divorce or some type of physical or mental incapacitation. I am not sure, however, if the sociologists promoting the need for an S.E.E. realized the power of faith and belief in God, and its ability to change people. We have the opportunity during this season to reverse the trend we hear related in today's readings. The Ninevites changed but the Jews refused. The Ninevites had a prophet, Jonah. The Jews had a greater prophet, Jesus the Christ. With faith we too can change.
We do not have Jesus' physical presence with us, but we have more than enough signs. We know more than the Jews did. We know about Jonah and the physical life of Jesus, as did the Jews. But we also know the end of the Gospel story, the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. We are benefactors of 2,000 years of Christian tradition. Lent is a time when reflection on change and transformation in our lives is encouraged. What change of heart or mind do we need? What new direction is Jesus suggesting to us this day through our conversation with him? We must understand that we have the tradition; we have the signs. Let us endeavor to change as God suggests to each of us in our daily walk of prayer. Let us be transformed by God this day!
Thursday Week OneEsther (C) 4:12, 14-16, 23-25Matthew 7:7-12
Trust Fully In God
Albert Schweitzer is a name familiar to most all. He gained fame as a medical missionary in Africa in the early 20th century. This, however, is only the end of a larger story. Schweitzer answered several calls in his life, all invitations from God. He responded to all, confident that God would be with him.
Born to a Lutheran pastor and his wife it was natural for young Albert to pursue theological study. He received doctorates in both theology and philosophy. In the early 1900s he wrote a book describing the Quest For The Historical Jesus. The book, almost overnight, made Schweitzer a respected member of the theological intelligentsia.
Such fame and possibilities for the future did not deter Schweitzer from following other invitations extended by God. From youth Albert had been blessed with the gift of musical ability. He became one of the premier organists in all Europe and is still considered, even in this age of CDs and laser discs, as one of the foremost interpreters who ever lived of Bach's music.
God was not through with Albert Schweitzer, however; there was one more invitation to be extended. At the height of his fame as both a theologian and, in his spare time, a musician, Schweitzer answered God's call to go to the African missions as a doctor. He received his medical training and promptly set up a mission clinic to meet the needs not only of the local community, but to serve as a regional facility for the treatment of leprosy. For his efforts he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952 on behalf of "The Brotherhood of Nations."
Albert Schweitzer's life is a good example of what our readings tell us today -- we need to trust completely in God. The book of Esther speaks of the plot to have all Jews, then in captivity in Babylon, slaughtered out of the treachery of Haman. Esther, as we hear in today's reading, cries to God about the plot she has discovered. She places all of her trust and confidence in God. God alone is her help and the only hope of her people as well. Esther realizes that God alone can save her.
In the Gospel today Jesus speaks of God as a father who gives his children all that they need. God can only give good things. Jesus knows that good parents want to help their children; it is the right thing to do. Better than the best parent, however, is the love that God will show to all his children. As Jesus says, those who ask will receive, those who seek will find, and those who knock will be granted entrance.
Where do we place our trust? In whom or what do we place our hope? The quick fix is the answer for some. This is the bandaid approach. We find temporary solace in someone or something. We find comfort, we may even be raised to new heights, but only for a limited amount of time. In the end such solutions resolve nothing. Some seek permanent solutions to life's difficulties in human remedies. These are more tangible, even visible. Thus, they seem to be more real and filled with more answers.
The only true solution, however, can be found in God. In the daily walk of our life we need to be open, to allow God to guide us, most especially when we think all is well and we know the way. If we allow God to light our way through the darkness and even the brightness of life, we will find the ultimate answers to life's quest, peace with God and self. For as the Gospel says, God will give only good things to those who ask. Let us open ourselves during this Lenten journey, as did Albert Schweitzer, to the possibilities of God. Let us place our lives totally in the hands of God.
Friday Week OneEzekiel 18:21-28Matthew 5:20-26
Return To The Lord
The name of John Newton is probably not familiar to many, even those in the world of music. But the one song with which he is associated through its composition, "Amazing Grace," has in many ways immortalized him. The song and its words are familiar to all Christians; it certainly is one of the most popular hymns ever written. The words of "Amazing Grace" are autobiographical; they tell a story of conversion and return to the Lord.
John Newton was the son of a sea-going Englishman and his wife. It was quite natural for Newton to follow in his father's footsteps. Newton was apprenticed on cargo ships as a deck hand. On one voyage from Europe to America a violent storm almost caused the vessel to sink. Newton, who although baptized had never practiced Christianity, saw in his survival the sign that he needed to turn his life around. He began to attend Episcopal services, but he still was not converted.
His life with the sea continued in a new and more cruel way as he became the captain of a slave trading vessel. For six years Newton ferried slaves from Africa to the American continent. Over time he became horrified at the whole slave concept and later in life campaigned against it as one of the first of what later became known as the abolitionist movement. Leaving the sea for good, Newton began to study for the ministry and eventually served as an Episcopal priest. The words of his famous song, "I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see," tell the story of the conversion of Newton from a life of sin to one of service.
Our readings today speak of the concept of conversion and how God rejoices over our ability to be reconciled with one another. The prophet Ezekiel says that God is desirous that we become transformed to a life of virtue and rid ourselves of all that draws us away from God. The final aspect of our life is what counts; we need to put on the Lord and refuse to be mystified by the evilness that surrounds us. God will rejoice if we can find conversion in our life.
In the Gospel we hear a passage on reconciliation, but one that at first reading might sound confusing. We are all familiar with many examples in the Scriptures where Jesus is seemingly quite lenient in his attitude toward the sinner. There are several examples of how Jesus defends the disciples (or even Himself) when they break the sabbath law. We know well the story of the woman caught in adultery and how Jesus shows no condemnation. Jesus even forgave those who participated in his agonizing and shameful death on the cross.
Today, however, Jesus says that anger with a brother or sister, abusive language or holding others in contempt will be placed on a par with murder. It appears at first that Jesus has matched the same punishment to offenses of greatly different severity. Jesus is making a point on reconciliation. Anger and abusive language draw us away from others just as if we had murdered a person. As Jesus suggests, we need to be reconciled. We need to settle with our opponents. We need to be reunited with our brothers and sisters. This must come before we can adequately and sincerely offer our gift to God.
Reconciliation is an active virtue with an initial passive component. God welcomes us back into the divine fold with open arms at any and all times. We merely need as God's children to passively accept God's love and forgiveness. After this, however, our reconciliation becomes active. We need to seek reconciliation with others -- those we may have hurt, those who may have hurt us.
As we spend this day let us think of one person with whom we need to seek reconciliation. Let us go and actively be reunited with that person. Then we can, as the Gospel suggests, seek greater unity with God, the source of all that is good.
Saturday Week OneDeuteronomy 26:16-19Matthew 5:43-48
Look To Higher Realms
We all know from our study of history and the catechism that we are members of the Judeo-Christian heritage. The first Christians were themselves Jews. Jesus, his mother and foster-father, and his disciples were all good practicing Jews. St. Paul describes himself as a Pharisee in his zealous practice of the Jewish tradition. The Jewish tradition of which we are all inheritors gave us many things. We have a sense of community from Judaism, as well as our monotheistic belief. Above all the Jewish tradition gave us the law of the covenant, so that we would have a rule by which to live and a promise we could all share.
Today in the first reading we hear about the heritage that is ours. Moses speaks to the people and he tells them about both the law and the covenant. The law was given by God to Moses. In its basic form we know it as the Ten Commandments. The law was expanded, as we can read in the Book of Leviticus, to an all-inclusive pattern for life. Moses also tells the people that they are uniquely God's own, a special promise from God. If the people uphold all the statutes, decrees and commandments of God, if they harken to God's voice, then they will be raised up to special heights of praise and renown. The glory of Israel will be made known to all nations.
When Jesus came the law was still the basis of all Hebrew belief. Jesus, however, asks that the people look to new heights in their life. As with yesterday's Gospel Jesus now expects more from the people. The law was good, but now Jesus asks the people, he asks us, to go further. The old law said you could love the people of your country and hate your enemies. The Lord says we need to do better -- we need to love our enemies as well. In fact, Jesus suggests that there is little merit in loving those who will love us in return. We know how difficult it can be to love those who have not the desire nor it seems the ability to love us in return. Unanswered love can be quite draining, but Jesus asks us to try. Jesus in his life initiated a new covenant of love; the law could go only so far.
Lent is a time to stretch ourselves, to go beyond where we presently find ourselves. Traditionally this discipline has manifested itself in denial of things that we particularly enjoy and in which we habitually participate, whether it be some type of food or drink, recreational activity or some vice. Denial is a good form of discipline and should be practiced. Today, however, Jesus challenges us to look to new heights, new horizons in our life. How can we be better servants, better ministers to God and God's people? How can the baptismal commitment which we all possess deepen our life in the Spirit? In what ways can I go beyond that which is normally expected and reach new heights in my relationship with God?
Christianity is a challenge; it should not be easy. Challenge pushes us to seek new ways of finding God. The letter of the law may be all that is required by some, but the Lord asks us this day to consider more the spirit of the law and how we might be able to more fully participate. Let us reflect in our lives how we might be able to do more, to love more fully, to reach a new level in our relationship with God.