Tuesday of the First Week of Lent

Readings of the Day

When I agreed to participate in this reflection cycle, I did not focus on the date I was assigned until I realized that the submission deadline was near, and I needed to get busy. Ironically, as so often happens in our lives, circumstances seem to collide very serendipitously, or perhaps driven by the gentle breeze of the Holy Spirit. March 3^rd is a very important date in my life, since my father passed away on this date 55 years ago. March 3, 1965 was actually Ash Wednesday. As the baby of the family and just three years old, I was home with my father alone while the rest of the family was at Mass. My dad then experienced his fatal heart attack, although I didn’t realize that until many years later in my life.

This date has always held some sadness for me, since I really never got to know my dad, and I often wondered how and why God would allow my father to be taken from our family, and leave my mother at age 36 to raise six young children by herself with very limited means. Despite my faith, I guess I’ve always been searching for some help to answer and reconcile this event in my life.

Today’s Responsorial Psalm and Gospel have become consoling words for me, since I’ve come to understand and believe that Jesus walks with us in our sufferings and pain. Despite my sinfulness and human weaknesses, I know that Jesus continues to love me, to forgive me and be present to me in my daily challenges and fears. At times when I am at a loss for words in prayer, I can always turn to the beautiful Our Father that gives me a voice to thank and praise God, and to ask him to guide and forgive me, despite my unworthiness.                                               

Perhaps we can all draw on these Scriptures as food for our souls, as we look to support our brothers and sisters in need through the work of our Catholic faith and the call of Catholic Charities agencies, teams and missions across the country. I pray that these scriptural passages will give you comfort in your own lives and for those you serve, as we all deal with the trials and tribulations of our shared human journey.

All powerful and merciful God, please give me the courage and strength to do your will, to forgive others as you forgive me, and to someday be united with you and my beloved family members in Heaven. Until that day, please help me to be your vessel and surrogate here in our world.  Amen.

Deacon Thomas A. Roberts is a Permanent Deacon in the Diocese of Las Vegas, Nevada and serves as the President and CEO of Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada.

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