First Sunday of Lent

Readings of the Day

Lent has just started so I am still optimistic that I will be a better person by Easter Sunday.  Every year I am eager to give up or add something to my daily life to bring me closer to Jesus.  As the Coordinator of Parish Social Ministry at a church just south of Houston, my professional goal this year is to avoid the sin of silence. Let me explain.

The readings today are all about temptation and sin.  Which led me to the question: “What is and is not a sin?” Being poor is not a sin. Being from another country is not a sin. Being homeless is not a sin. Being a single mother is not a sin.  Being in need of mental health services is not a sin. But, treating any of God’s people, or watching as other people treat any of God’s people as if they are “less than,” that is a sin. 

I love today’s Psalm because it shows us a basic but meaningful relationship between me, a sinner, and our merciful Lord. It starts out by asking God: “…in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.” Not just help me or forgive me but completely wipe out my offense. Wipe out any chance that I will ever treat someone in a way that is not pleasing to you, O Lord. 

It goes on to say: “Against you alone have I sinned.” It doesn’t matter what the sin is. When I judge someone, when I avoid someone who needs me, when I am not the voice for the voiceless or any other sin, I am sinning against God. All sins are against someone God created and loves. Let me emphasize – all sins are against someone God created and loves. 

The Psalm finishes up by acknowledging that because of God’s mercy I will be able to “open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.” When I sin, I am hurting God because I am hurting someone He loves. Through His mercy and compassion, I can learn to be compassionate, proclaim His praise, and be the voice for the voiceless.  I can learn to use my voice (and my actions) and not be silent.  So, this Lent, I want to avoid the sin of silence.

Chris Austgen is the Coordinator of Parish Social Ministry at Mary Queen Catholic Church in Friendswood, Texas.  She is on the Catholic Charities USA Parish Social Ministry Leadership Team.  Her greatest blessing is being a wife, mother of four and grandmother of two.

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