Friday of the First Week of Lent

Readings of the Day

Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked?
    says the Lord GOD. 
Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil way
    that he may live?

Revenge. It’s not all that sweet. The reading from Ezekiel today makes it abundantly clear that grudges, paybacks, wishing for “karma” to step in and exact revenge is not what we are called to. But that’s a very human reaction when we witness someone doing wrong – or when someone does us wrong. It comes from a good place inside us – we want life to be fair, and for good to be rewarded and desired. But God is giving clear direction NOT to be adding more unhappiness and anger and resentment to the world.  There’s no pleasure in spending our precious time on those negative emotions. The last thing we need on top of the fear and uncertainty that has grown as the pandemic has progressed is to be divided into “us” and “them.”

There is something powerful in affording everyone a little extra grace.

This doesn’t mean allowing people to step all over you – or not calling out evil and wrongdoing when it occurs. Rather, it’s the ability to see a change for the better in someone whom we have classified as “wrong.” Taking a deep breath, stepping back from judgement and sharp remarks, and instead, putting on kindness, patience and love dissolves the anger and refocuses us. Each of us is God’s chosen. We are holy and beloved. Each and every one of us. When we get a little extra grace, the situation changes. We can breathe – and we can extend compassion to others because we have been blessed with that gift ourselves.

I pray we all might feel that breathing room, that “second chance” in a hard and challenging world during this Lenten season.

And it all starts with a little grace.

Susan Walker is the Executive Director of Outreach and Engagement for Catholic Charities of Kansas City St. Joseph.

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