READINGS:
1 R : Is 1 : 10, 16 - 20.
Ps 49 : 8 - 9, 16bc - 17, 21 and 23.
Gos : Mt 23 : 1 - 12.
CHANGE OF HEART IS THE MAJOR THEME OF LENT.
TODAY'S FIRST READING EXHORTS ALL OF US TO THINK OVER OUR SINFUL FOLLY AND REASON OUT ITS CONSEQUENCES.
GOD ASSURES US :
" THOUGH YOUR SINS ARE LIKE SCARLET,
THEY SHALL BE AS WHITE AS SNOW;
THOUGH THEY ARE RED LIKE CRIMSON,
THEY SHALL BECOME LIKE WOOL.
THE RESPONSORIAL PSALM THEREFORE APTLY REMINDS US ,
" TO HIM WHO ORDERS HIS WAY ARIGHT I WILL SHOW THE SALVATION OF GOD ! "
IN THE GOSPEL JESUS UPHOLDS THE MESSAGE OF SCRIBES AND PHARISEES BECAUSE THEY SIT ON THE SEAT OF MOSES.
BUT CAUTIONS AGAINST IMITATING THEIR STYLE OF PRACTICING RELIGION.
JESUS CONDEMNS THEM BECAUSE THEY DO EVERYTHING TO WIN APPROVAL AND ACCLAIM FROM THE ' PEOPLE '
SINCERELY REFLECT FOR A WHILE:
WILL I I BE ACCUSED OF THE SAME SIN TODAY ?
HAVE I TURNED RELIGION INTO A ' PRO ' EXERCISE ?
HAS RELIGION FOR ME A MEANS OF PROJECTING MY ' GOODNESS ' ?
THESE ARE SERIOUS ISSUES WHICH NEED TO BE ADDRESSED URGENTLY; AT LEAST BY THIS LENT.
IN THE SECOND PART JESUS TELLS US THAT IN FOLLOWING CHRIST WE ARE ALL BRETHREN.
NO HIGH OR LOW.
REMEMBER, JUST THE OTHER DAY AFTER THE LENTEN RETREAT POPE TRAVELED BACK IN THE SAME BUS ALONG WITH CARDINALS AND BISHOPS WHO ALSO TOOK PART IN THE RETREAT.
AND THE POPE SAID:
POPE FRANCIS
"We are all sinners, but we all want to follow Jesus more closely, without losing hope in the promise, and without losing our sense of humor. Even though we sometimes greet Him only from afar. Thank you, Father.”
