Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent

Readings of the Day

In today’s readings, Isaiah sounds a Lenten theme: “(C)ease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim.” Matthew tells us to listen to our scribes and Pharisees, “but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice.”

Two thousand years later, our leaders tell us that all is well. In the real world, however, migration is thriving but many doors (and minds) are closed. Hunger and homelessness are prevalent. Sister, Mother Earth is on life-support. Mass incarceration is rampant, especially for people of color. The Doomsday Clock which tells us when humanity will end civilization has ticked down to under two minutes before midnight. The opportunities for us disciples are overwhelming.

Ezekiel urges us to “make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.” How do we make this our best Lent ever? Now might be the time to take a brief journey to the “desert.” A quiet place where we can listen to Jesus, seek His counsel and allow Him to touch us. We might begin by sharing with Him our gratitude for His many blessings. This intimate moment would energize our spirit and enable us to bring that closeness to God with us as we accompany brothers and sisters in our ministries. Lent is the perfect opportunity for us to practice what we preach. To those we are privileged to serve, we may be the only messenger to bring them the “good news” that Christ will rise again on Easter morn.

Stan Fitzgerald is a parishioner at St. Francis of Assisi Church, San Jose, CA where he is involved in social ministry. A founding member of a Dayworker Center, he mentors the local Jesuit Volunteer Corp group and works with Catholic Charities in an Accompaniment program.

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