Reflection
We read in the Book of Deuteronomy how Moses is reminding us that the Lord, our God calls us to observe his commandments and in return God will glorify and praise us and heap every kind of good thing upon us. In our psalm response we pray ‘Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord. In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus calls us to ‘love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you’ and when we follow his commands, we will be perfect just as he is perfect!
I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling just a tad bit overwhelmed with trying to follow these challenging directives as found in the scriptures of today! It’s not like we haven’t heard these words before. It’s not like we don’t begin each Season of Lent with good intentions to focus more intently on prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
As I reflect on my plan for Lent I am realizing that in light of these words from scripture today, maybe I need to make more of an intentional effort to take seriously how Jesus is calling me to grow during this time of Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving.
It’s easy to pray for those we love and care for and we feel blessed to know that they are praying for us as well. We live in a world of turmoil, crisis, violence and mistrust. It is hard to watch people suffer as a result of the disrespect shown to so many. We pray constantly for the victims. But I know in my heart of hearts we are also called to pray for the perpetrators, no matter how difficult! They are children of the same God we worship and deserve our prayers.
This season of Lent calls us to FAST! It’s one thing to fast from our favorite foods or social activities, but quite another to refrain from back-biting, judging, gossip that destroys another person. I can slide so easily down that slippery slope of knocking a person down instead of focusing on the good that may be harder to see. I must remember that God makes the sun to rise on the bad and the good and causes rain to fall on just and the unjust! Pope Francis reminded us often, “Who am I to judge?”
There are many ways to give ALMS. I love to help people in need, always supporting the many food drives, blanket collections, and fundraisers of all sorts.
Almsgiving also calls me to work to change the systems that keep people unjustly in need. I need to stand with others to rally against the injustices that permeate our communities and world around us.
These actions all take courage, perseverance and commitment to live out our gospel values.
As we continue our Lenten journey maybe we should all feel a bit overwhelmed at what God is calling us to do. Maybe God is calling us to embrace a life of prayer, fasting and almsgiving that can lead us to be more perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect.
Happy and Blessed Lent!
