Friday of the Third Week of Lent

Readings of the Day

We live in an extraordinary time because of our ability to connect and exchange information - quite literally at the speed of light.  For those who did not witness the gradual development of technologies from telegraph lines to smart phones, we live in a world of “science fiction.”  Smart phones can store a dozen versions of the Bible, and online translation services allow us to change from one language to another as fast as we can type.  We can “face-time” with people almost anywhere and at any time.  The word “astounding” comes to mind, but that’s an understatement.  Who knows what people from the Middle Ages or in Jesus’ time would have thought? 

During Lent, many give up these ‘connection capabilities’ to grow closer to God. We “fast” from social media or give up television. We “disconnect” in order to “connect with God.”  This desire to grow closer to God comes from deep within us.  St. Augustine understood that his own heart was restless without God. Today’s gospel tells of a Scribe who asked Jesus: what is the first (most important) commandment? Jesus’ response, from Deuteronomy, not only answers the scribe but anticipates the next logical question: which is the second most important commandment? 

Hear, O Israel!  The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this:  You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Jesus’ second commandment - “love your neighbor as yourself” - is a new spin on Old Testament teachings.  Perhaps for those who heard Jesus, it was like “the stuff of science fiction on connecting with neighbors.”  In other Gospel accounts, people were “astounded” by Jesus’ explanations of God - like someone seeing a television for the first time.

During Lent we are also invited to increase our prayer and almsgiving. These pieties help us order the commandments in our lives. In other words, we set our priorities accordingly, not only during Lent but for the entire the year.

By ordering what is first and proper in our relationship with God, we can more effectively connect with and love our neighbors.  Across the nation, Catholic Charities’ employees are loving neighbors, and yes, using technologies that enable us to reach out and connect in new and astounding ways. No matter your connections with Catholics Charities -employee, client, or benefactor - please pray during these days of Lent for our success: that all find rest in the God who loves us beyond measure. Praise be Jesus Christ now and forever!

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