Reflections:Week Two Of Lent
Monday Week TwoDaniel 9:4-10Luke 6:36-38
The Compassion Of God
Joseph Girzone, the popular author, tells the following story in his parable Joshua And The Children.1 Over a hundred years ago in France, a butler attached to a wealthy family knew where the family kept all their money, hidden in a vault underneath their chateau. The butler methodically plotted to kill everyone in the family and steal the money. One night when everyone was asleep, he crept into the house and first murdered the father and mother. Then one by one he began to murder the children. The youngest escaped because he heard noises and could not sleep. When he realized what was happening he quietly slipped out of his bedroom and hid in a closet under a pile of clothes.
For years the boy wandered the streets as an orphan. He eventually entered the seminary and became a priest. After several years he was assigned to Devil's Island as a chaplain. One afternoon one of the convict inmates came running in from the fields, frantically calling for the chaplain. "There is a man dying out in the field, Father. Come quickly."
The priest ran out with the inmate and reached the dying prisoner. Kneeling down beside him, the priest lifted the man's head onto his lap and asked if he would like to confess his sins. The dying man refused. "Why, my son?" asked the priest. "Because God will never forgive me for what I have done."
"But what have you done that is so bad?" the priest continued. And the man went on to tell the story of how he had killed this whole family so that he could have their money, and only the little boy escaped because he could not find him.
Then the priest said to the dying man, "If I can forgive you then certainly God can forgive you. And I forgive you from my heart. It was my family you killed, and I am that little boy."
The convict cried and told the priest how he had been haunted all his life over what he had done, though no one else knew about it. Even the authorities never found out. The two men cried together. As the priest was giving the dying man absolution, the prisoner died with his head resting on the priest's lap.
This powerful story, which I have heard in other places and know to be true, speaks clearly of the great compassion and love which God has for us, no matter what has happened or when it occurred. God will provide the opportunity to release ourselves from the bondage that sin can sometimes bring to our lives. Our readings today speak of the magnanimous forgiveness and compassion of God for all people.
The first reading from Daniel is a great prayer. The Hebrews are in exile in Babylon. They know that they have transgressed God's law. That is why they have been placed in the hands of the Babylonians. The Hebrews have sinned and done evil in God's sight. The people are ashamed of what they have done. But the people have hope; this they never lose. The people realize that God is full of compassion and forgiveness. Although transgressions have occurred, the forgiveness of God will break through and the people will eventually be returned to their native land of Israel.
The confidence that is expressed in Daniel is manifest in the Gospel. Jesus says that we are to be compassionate and to pardon as God is compassionate and pardons us. Jesus cautions us against judgment, lest we be judged ourselves. Over all, however, Jesus says that the measure with which we measure out will be returned to us. The compassion of God will be like grain which when poured into the fold of a woman's apron runs over on all sides because it is so abundant. Possibly we can think of God's mercy as constantly filling a water glass and seeing the water run over on all sides, in all directions. God's love and mercy are like that. They cannot be contained; they go out to all people for all time.
Lent is a time when we think about our sinfulness. No one is perfect; as St. Paul says, all have sinned. But the important lesson today is to realize the unlimited love of God. The priest who could love and forgive the man who had killed his whole family is the image of God's love for us. One would not think such forgiveness is possible, but all is possible with God. God has no limits, although we constantly try to place limits on God, even on God's love. Let us this day remember the unlimited love of God and be welcomed by Jesus. His arms are open on the cross just waiting for us. As the Scriptures say, "Come inherit the kingdom prepared for you since the beginning of time."
1. Joseph F. Girzone, Joshua And The Children, (New York: Macmillan, 1989), pp. 9-10.
Tuesday Week TwoIsaiah 1:10, 16-20Matthew 23:1-12
Conversion To Humility
Alfred Bessette was a doorman for 50 years. That does not sound very exciting. In fact, it sounds terribly boring. Yet, through such humble work and an equally humble life this man, who took the religious name of Brother Andr‚, was raised to the level of the beatified by Pope John Paul II. Brother Andr‚ was a doorman at the Oratory of St. Joseph in Montreal, Canada. The simplicity with which he lived his life as a servant was only equaled by the simplicity with which he was able to perform miraculous physical cures of many who sought his assistance.
People came from all over Canada (and many from the United States) to see Brother Andr‚. They did not come to hear eloquent speeches or to see feats of bravery or courage. They came because they believed in faith that this humble, uneducated religious brother could bring them closer to God and in the process possibly effect a cure of their bodies. Over many years the number who received physical healing grew. The effect on the soul, however, was more important. Brother Andr‚'s closeness to God was transferred to all who sought his assistance in any way. His ability to cure people earned him the name of the "Miracle Worker of Montreal." His saintly, rather unspectacular life has earned him a special place in the hearts of all and the special recognition within the Communion of Saints.
We hear in today's First Reading from Isaiah, "Come now, let us set things right." Lent is a time to get our house in order. It is as we said at the outset of the season our time of preparation, our spring training in the Faith. There are many things we need to get in order. Our readings today suggest what might need our attention and most especially how we should approach this period of preparation.
Isaiah gives some very specific ideas on getting our house in order. We are told to listen to God's instruction, to wash ourselves clean, to cease doing evil and to learn to do good. We are told to make justice our aim. All of this is a tall order, but we need to daily work toward these goals.
How are we to do these things? The Gospel gives us a very specific answer. Brother Andr‚ was able to order the lives of many by his life of holiness. Jesus suggests in the Gospel that we too are to order our lives, to put away misdeeds, to make justice our aim, in an unassuming way. We are not to look for titles that will gain us prestige; we are not to look for the places of honor in our place of worship. In opposition to the example of the Pharisees, who said much but did little, we are to do what we do so as not to be seen or noticed. We are to be humble in what we do, in ordering our house. As Jesus says, "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
We all like to be recognized for what we do. This is a natural human desire, even a need. Recognition will happen along the path of life, but it should not be that for which we live. The kind of recognition we should desire is that which comes from going about our business, carrying out God's plan for us, and doing it without seeking recognition. We can all think of examples of saintly people we have known or about whom we have read who have lived humbly and through that humility been recognized.
The greatest, really the only, recognition that we need is that which comes from God. If we make up our minds to set things right, as Isaiah suggests, and we do our best to do it in an unassuming way, then certainly God will see and, like Brother Andr‚, we will be recognized. Few if any of us will find the "official" recognition of sainthood, but if we do God's will we are God's saints. Let us learn a lesson from the humble life of an uneducated doorman; let us ready ourselves in some small way as our Lenten journey continues this day. Wednesday Week TwoJeremiah 18:18-20Matthew 20:17-28
Agape -- Service To All
In the mid 1960s as I recall, Joan Baez, the well-known folk singer, wrote and sang a song called, "Love Is Just A Four-Letter Word." In the lyrics to that song Ms. Baez tried to show that although the word love has only four letters and might be thought by some, because it is a small word, to be a simple concept, it is in reality a very complex idea. We all know this to be true from the experience of our daily lives.
The ancient Greeks, a very intelligent civilization, realized that love was a complicated idea. Among the many gifts which the Greeks gave to our society was the science of philosophy, the science of thought. In philosophy and in language, the Greeks used three words to describe the vast nature of love. The first word the Greeks used was phileo, the idea of brotherly love. This is the love which is seen between sisters and brothers, the love expressed between good friends. The second form of love is eros. This is romantic love, the love between one man and one woman. This type of love is pointed inward. It is a love which satisfies our own personal need. The third, and for the Greeks the highest form of love, is agapao, which is commonly called agape. This is the outward expression of love that we show in serving others, our sisters and brothers in the Lord. Agape does not satisfy a personal need to feel loved, but it unquestionably satisfies the Christian need to serve and be present to others.
The readings today are filled with expressions of agape, love for others. Jeremiah, like many of the ancient prophets, was a bit hesitant at his role. He considered himself unworthy of the task. Yet God chose him, touched his mouth, and prepared him for his mission to the Hebrew people. Jeremiah did his best, in circumstances which were many times very trying and troublesome, to carry God's word to the nation of Israel. We hear about one of those especially troubling times in the first reading. The people of Judah and citizens of Jerusalem have hatched a plot against Jeremiah in order to end his life. Jeremiah realizes the evil in the people's hearts and speaks to God asking Him to remember his service. Jeremiah has always stood before God to speak on Israel's behalf; he has been true to his call. Jeremiah has gone forth in a ministry of service; he has shown agape to the people whom God has given to him.
I am sure that all of us can relate to the indignation which the other ten apostles felt toward James and John, as we hear in today's Gospel. Their mother wants her sons to sit in exalted positions in the Kingdom of God. Jesus wastes no time in correcting the thought of this woman and all those present who hear her request. Jesus says that the one who aspires to greatness must serve the rest; whoever wants to rank first must first serve the needs of all. Jesus goes on to say that he as well has come not to be served but to serve, to give his life as a ransom for the many. Jesus is expressing sacrifice and service, two of the primary ingredients of agape. Jesus is not looking for something for himself. No, like Jeremiah, his concern is solely on those whom God has given to him. Remember, Jesus said that none given to him would be lost.
Lent is a time when we think of many things, many ways of renewal. Service, ministry to others, sacrifice -- these are agape, a special form of love to which we are called this day. As we spend this day let us think how we can show greater love, greater agape to others. Let us follow the Master, Jesus, our brother, friend and Lord as we walk the Lenten journey this day.
Thursday Week TwoJeremiah 17:5-10Luke 16:19-31
Follow The Signs
If you are not a native to the area, driving in any major city is challenging at best and utter terror at its worst. If you are not accustomed to the normal ways of doing things in a particular area the roads can be a harrowing experience. In some places the posted speed limit may say "35 MPH" but if you are not going 50 you are in jeopardy of having someone crawl up your back. The law says that when you see a yellow light you should slow and prepare to stop. In many places, however, a yellow light is the signal to "put the pedal to the metal," as they say, and race so as to make sure you "make that light." If you are a little late and the signal turns red, that is okay. The important thing is to get where you are going, NOW! In the cities you will see drivers turn right from the left lane and go straight when they are in the left turn lane. If you are going too slow on a one lane road don't be surprised when the driver behind you all of a sudden streaks by you on the right!
When I observe drivers who seem to be rather reckless, I often wonder what it will take to get them to comply with the law. Will another sign such as "Danger" do the trick? Will it take an accident or some other tragedy for people to be more courteous?
Today's Gospel speaks about following the signs which God gives in our lives. Although Luke is not specific, it seems that the rich man, traditionally known as Dives, did not follow the signs provided by God of his presence. The rich man seems to have ignored Abraham, Moses and the ancient prophets. He seems to have even ignored a living sign, Lazarus, the poor beggar, who has been sitting at Dives' front gate. The signs of God were always there, but he chose to ignore them. Because he has failed to heed the signs of the presence of God, he will now live forever in torment. The rich man, realizing his own fate, asks that another sign be sent to his brothers so that they may escape this horrible fate. Abraham says, however, that all the signs are there; another one, even the sign of one rising from the dead, will do no good.
Do we heed the signs which God gives to us along the road of life? Maybe the sign that God is sending you is to drop a certain habit, a difficult situation, or a certain person from your life. Maybe God has provided the sign to take the right fork in the road, where the center and left look so inviting. Maybe the sign given is to place more trust in God and less in human solutions, to let God be our guide.
As we hear in the beautiful imagery of the prophet Jeremiah in the first reading, the signs that lead to God are obvious. As the prophet says, trusting in God nourishes us like the tree whose huge roots have spread in all directions and are now fed by the stream. Even though the rains do not come the tree will continue to be fruitful, its leaves will stay green, for it always has a source of nourishment. The signs that lead away from God are equally clear. Those who choose to trust in human solutions, who seek their strength in the flesh, they will be like the barren bush in the desert, that enjoys no change of season, that stands in a lava waste of desolation.
The signs are there; they always have been. God is all around, in so many powerful, beautiful and subtle ways. Let us open our eyes to the signs of God's presence. Let us trust in God and be guided by the Spirit. Let us be nourished at the banquet table of the Lord, and find eternal life in the process.
Friday Week TwoGenesis 37:2-4, 12-13, 17-28Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46
Responsibly Building The Kingdom
If you study leadership techniques you will hear the axiom, "You can delegate responsibility but not authority." There is a corollary axiom which is equally important: "It is essential to know right from privilege when exercising responsibility." Knowing these axioms will lead, hopefully, to the construction of more harmonious relationships between those who exercise authority and responsibility and those who are cared for through that same responsibility.
In our readings today we hear of two different stories of the abuse of responsibility which was originally delegated for beneficial reasons. Additionally, the readings speak of the misunderstanding in describing right versus privilege. In the first reading Israel, most often referred to as Jacob in the Hebrew Scriptures, delegates responsibility for the welfare of his youngest child Joseph to his older sons. They are to watch over him as Israel himself would do. The 11 brothers abuse the responsibility their father has bestowed upon them. They have been given a privilege in having responsibility for their younger brother; a right has not been given to them. The older brothers seem to think that their power is absolute, that they may do as they wish. They have no rights to their brother; they have abused the privilege given to them. The older brothers probably think that they have had the last say in this matter. Joseph will certainly die at the hands of the Ishmaelites. But as we all remember from our reading of Genesis, Joseph has the last say. He refuses to hate his brothers, but rather builds them up so that they may live in their adopted land of Egypt. The sons of Israel had the opportunity to use their delegated responsibility wisely; they missed the chance.
The parable of the tenants in today's Gospel is a second story of the abuse of responsibility. The owner of the vineyard leases out the land of his estate; the tenants are given responsibility to properly use it for the betterment of all. The tenants, like the brothers of Joseph, feel they have the right to do whatever they want to do. They do not understand their abuse of the slaves, the son, and even the owner, as a violation of the trust which the proprietor has placed in the tenants.
All authority ultimately comes from God. God has given us, because we are his children, a certain measure of authority and responsibility. All of us, no matter what our status in life, young or old, rich or poor, famous or unknown, have been given a certain amount of responsibility. How are we doing in properly exercising the authority which has been delegated to us? In the family, responsibilities differ, but they are present for each member. Do we cast aside the person, the object, the task as did Joseph's brothers? Do we consider it our right to do what we want in a manner of our own choosing? Do we have a sense of what our responsibility asks of us? In business the responsibilities are different. Does power, responsibility or privilege corrupt us?
The Gospel suggests another way, another avenue to take in our task, our challenge, to be responsible people. Instead of casting aside people, abusing the privilege of responsibility, we can do something positive. As Jesus states that he is the keystone to the structure, so we can make others the keystones that help build the Kingdom of God in our time. We build God's Kingdom each day with what we say and do. We do not have to wait for the Parousia to build the Kingdom. In fact, building the Kingdom is our task, a challenge that can only be accomplished by effectively empowering people to be the cornerstones in our society.
Let us use the responsibility given us wisely. Let us build up the people for whom we have been asked to responsibly act. Let us build the city of God this day!
Saturday Week TwoMicah 7:14-15, 18-20Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Be Reconciled To God
Life is a journey. Like all journeys life has a beginning, a middle and an end. Within the journey of life there are numerous shorter journeys, each of which has a beginning, a middle and an end. One journey within the journey of life which accompanies us along the road is our life of faith. Faith has a beginning, at least in a formal sense, through baptism. The long middle ground of faith is our life, the numerous times we encounter God and find ecstasy and the times when we fail to see or even shut out God. The journey of faith, like the journey of life, has ups and downs. The journey of faith has an end as well: the day of judgment by God.
The Lenten season is a journey, with a beginning, a middle and an end. We have experienced the beginning with Ash Wednesday. We suggested that our spring training had begun; we needed to get prepared. We are now in the middle of that training as the Lenten season progresses. We know that the end of the journey will be celebrated with the great high holy days of the Easter Triduum. Now in the middle of this special journey of faith, we are encouraged by our readings to take seriously still another journey, the journey of reconciliation.
Reconciliation is a journey with various elements. It is a process by which Christians are reunited with God and God's people. Since reconciliation is a process, a journey, there are definite elements which may be identified. Each element is essential to the whole; they feed off one another. If we cannot achieve the first steps, those that follow may not be possible.
The first element of reconciliation is passive, but absolutely necessary to the process. We must believe that God is there for us, ready to welcome us back at any time. In our first reading today, the prophet Micah tells us that God does not persist in anger, but rather, God delights in clemency. God will have compassion on us; God will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins. God will always show faithfulness to his people. God will not give up on any human being. When we know that God's mercy is ours, that God will continually pursue us, as Francis Thompson describes so powerfully in his famous poem "The Hound of Heaven," then we know the journey of reconciliation has begun.
The journey of reconciliation continues with the discovery of the three active aspects of forgiveness, within self, with others, and ultimately with God. The parable of the Prodigal Son which we hear in today's Gospel best illustrates this second step in the journey of reconciliation. Active reconciliation must begin within our own person. The so-called prodigal son comes to the realization that he needs to forgive himself. He has wasted his father's money; he has lived a wayward existence. Before he could begin the physical journey back to his father he needed to find a change of heart within himself. He needed to forgive himself before he would be ready to accept the forgiveness of others.
Reconciliation with others is the second active element. The older son in the parable is representative of one who cannot forgive others. He is angry with his brother because of his wayward actions. He is even more incensed, however, by his father who has not only forgiven the younger man's transgressions, but has celebrated his return with food and dance. We learn about the need to forgive others "through the back door" in the character of the older son. Since this young man cannot forgive, the process of reconciliation is stunted. As when the weak link in the chain snaps and destroys the usefulness of the whole, so too if either of the first two active aspects of reconciliation are not found, the final aspect, reconciliation with God, cannot be achieved. The forgiving father in the Gospel represents God. His youngest son was barely in sight and the father had the celebration prepared. Reconciliation was achieved as soon as his wayward son realized that he needed to be forgiven, by himself and others. Jesus' arms are outstretched on the cross as a sign of his welcome of us when we have strayed off the path that leads to life. All that is necessary to achieve this reconciliation is for us to ask.
Lent is certainly a time to think about our need for reconciliation. We are given this holy season to prepare ourselves for the Easter Triduum. If we are not reconciled within ourselves, with others and ultimately with God, then the benefit which the Paschal mystery can provide will not be totally ours. We will feel incomplete; we will have lost a great opportunity. Today our readings challenge us to reflect not only on God's mercy for us, but our need to be reconciled with all people. The process begins with self, moves to others and finds its fulfillment in the Lord. Let us this day reflect on our need for healing, our need to be made whole again. Let us continue the Lenten journey in a spirit of reconciliation this day.