A MID-LENT BOOSTER
Today,
the Third Week of Lent, is the midpoint of the Lenten season. In
ancient times, this was celebrated with joy. It was like a breathing
space in the middle of the austerities and penances of Lent. Nowadays,
Lent is no longer that grim or harsh, therefore less in need of an
encouraging breathing space. But nevertheless, we can always use a
booster in our Lenten journey, which we can get from our readings today.
One is from a negative approach, that of the First Reading. Through the
prophet Jeremiah, God denounces the stubbornness of the Israelites.
They were disobedient and neglected God’s commands. “They walked in the
hardness of their evil hearts and turned their backs, not their faces,
to me.”
The Gospel, on the other hand, is more positive. It begins with a
controversial accusation against Jesus regarding His casting out of
devils — an accusation which He readily addresses. He then turns the
tables on His accusers: “If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by
whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your
judges.” Finally the passage concludes with a rallying call to Jesus’
side: “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather
with me scatters.”
It’s a reminder that we must stay loyal to and steadfast with Jesus —
and only with Jesus. It’s a kind of stubbornness tweaked to the positive
side, a hard-nosed and tough-minded fidelity to God and His commands,
leaving no room for compromises and ambiguities.
Definitely, we would want to gather with Jesus rather than scatter against Him. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB
REFLECTION QUESTION: Do you stubbornly refuse to submit any part of your life to God’s power? Let go and let God.
Thank You for reminding me today, Lord, to be loyal to You — and only to You.
|
||
No comments:
Post a Comment