Daily Reflection for Friday, March 11 2022
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners!
We encourage you to reflect on Friday’s readings at this link:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/031122.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Ezekiel 18:21-28
Responsorial: Psalms 130:1-8
Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26
Our reflection on Friday’s readings:
“Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?” Ezekiel 18:25
Today’s readings might challenge some modern societal conventions about justice and reward.
In the reading from Ezekiel, we hear that a wicked person can turn away from sin and toward virtue and their sins will be forgotten, but if a virtuous person turns toward sin, all their previous virtue will be forgotten. The message is that our lives are not a balance sheet that counts up the all the good and the bad, but rather, that the direction we are headed is what matters. What we are doing right now, in this very moment is what matters the most.
The Psalmist’s cry reinforces that if we were to tally all our faults and failings, we would not be worthy. However, with God there is mercy and forgiveness. Our hope rests in the Lord and we are only redeemed through his kindness and mercy, not through any action of our own.
And finally, in the gospel, Jesus describes the standard for entering the Kingdom of God. It is more than just following the letter of the law. It requires us to show mercy to “our brother” in the same way that God shows us mercy. We must make peace with and reconcile with our brothers and sisters and not carry anger, resentment, or grievances in our hearts.
So today we receive a hopeful message -- that God is merciful and forgiving -- but also a challenging message. If we are to receive this incredible gift of forgiveness and mercy from God, we must extend the same to all of God’s children. We cannot sit in judgment lest we be judged ourselves. We must not harden our hearts to others as that in turn will harden our heart toward God, who is Love.
As we journey through Lent, let us pray that we receive the grace to pursue virtue, hope for mercy and forgiveness, and extend mercy and forgiveness to others.
Peace and love,
Andra Liepa