Friday of the First Week of Lent
‘That’s not fair!’ How many times in life have we heard this exclamation? I hear it often as a parent. And in some instances, I’m the one making the cry. At every turn and in every situation, there is a cry for “fairness.” I’m not sure how I feel about the typical response that I received from my parents as a child though: ‘Life’s not fair, get over it.’ While the first part may be true, the second part is callous. In our first reading, God poses the question, “Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?” (Ez 18:25b) The only way to live in the image and likeness of God is by falling in love with God. This is the dynamic of our first reading. Because of a profound love for God, the wicked person turns from his wickedness, and lives. On the other hand, the virtuous person rejects God’s love, and dies. What a critical lesson for our early days of Lent–lesson on the fair and just ways of the Lord. How might we fall more deeply in love with our good God and open our hearts to the work of the spirit in us? How can we allow the practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to help us discover the best version of our true selves.
I consider the anger, judgment, complaints, and grudges that disrupt my relationships with family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, the driver in the other car, the person in front of me at the grocery store. What arguments have I entered into with my family? How have I been hurtful to my friends? Where have I neglected to help my neighbor in need? What good does it do me to foster anger, frustration, hatred? Are these instances helpful or hurtful? Jesus’ message in the gospel is loud and clear: “whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment...if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (MT 5:22a, 23-24).
As we continue this Lenten journey, let us pray for renewed fervor for kindness and respect toward our brothers and sisters in Christ. Lenten sacrifice can produce great joy because of the opportunity to dig into God’s powerful and everlasting love for us. The verse before the gospel today calls us to “cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the LORD, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.” (EZ 18:31)
How do I define my relationship with God? What hinders me from growing in love–perhaps an unhealthy relationship, a ‘busy’ schedule, social media? How is Jesus calling me to step outside my comfort zone? Through the three pillars of the season--prayer, fasting, and almsgiving--let us pursue ways of being helpful, to love one another, and to do what is right and just. “My soul waits for the Lord more than sentinels wait for the dawn…For with the Lord is kindness and with him is plenteous redemption; And he will redeem [us] from all [our] iniquities (PS 130:6, 7bc-8) May our good and fair God bless you our your journey this season.
Peace,
Brandon Meyer