Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
Today’s readings seem very appropriately aligned with the fact that this evening every parish in the Archdiocese is offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation as part of the “The Light is on for You.” I’ll admit that it has been quite some time since I have received this Sacrament and I recognize that as an opportunity I need to take advantage of more fully in order to enhance my relationship with God and those around me. I made a point to put tonight’s opportunity on my calendar in hopes to take advantage of this Lenten season as best I can. Today’s readings encourage me even more to pursue this Sacrament.
The first reading today from the first chapter of Isaiah calls us to “Wash yourselves clean! Put away misdeeds before my own eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good,” and it continues to impel us to “set things right” and in essence turn away from sin. This message seems so appropriate for Lent, given the Lenten call to turn away from sin by acknowledging our humanity and removing those things that create barriers in our relationship with God. In today’s Gospel from Matthew, Jesus instructs the disciples to follow the teachings of the scribes and Pharisees but not their actions. Yet another reminder that we need to practice what we preach and refrain from making a show of our practices.
So perhaps these readings, alongside the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Confession, serve as a good reminder that in order to be peace for others we must also create peace for ourselves. We must humbly recognize the times where we may have turned away from God and, in order to overcome those barriers, we must seek reconciliation. And it is this process that leads us to do the same in our relationships with others in our daily lives – our spouses, best friends, family members, colleagues, etc. In what ways might you need to reconcile your relationship with God? What barriers exist for you in your relationships with others? How might you reconcile those as well? May this Lenten season continue to be a time to reflect on these questions so we might grow closer to God and the ways God’s grace acts in us, through us, and around us.
For more information on “The Light is on for You,” confession, and Lenten Reflections check out the Archdiocese’s website at http://www.stirintoflame.com/events/the-light-is-on-for-you/.
- Mike Bennett