Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Oh No, Is It Lent Already!

            Not yet, but Lent is fast approaching. For many in this country and elsewhere in the world this is a difficult time.  Much hate filled language has filled the air waves. This Sunday we are presented with a Gospel (Matthew 5:38-48) that addresses how we are to be with all peoples, prepares us for Lent and possibly causes us to “squirm”. 
           Jesus directs us to love everyone including those we might find most difficult and we are to hate no one. There is no room for enemies. “I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”. Prayer along with fasting and almsgiving are the tenets of Lenten practice. Praying humbly reminds us, it is only through God’s action within us that transformation can take place. Through fasting we fast from engagement in gossip, accusations, hurtful and hateful speech, and retaliation of any sort.
           Again Jesus asserts; “When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one as well. . . Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go for two miles”. Through almsgiving we “Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn our back on the one who wants to borrow. . . If someone wants to go to law over your tunic, hand over your cloak as well”. Jesus speaking to us has great expectations of those who love him and want to be a follower, a Christ-bearer.

            Each year in preparation for Lent do you find yourself asking the same questions? What am I going to do this year? How much effort and commitment am I willing to put forth? How much do I really desire to grow into the person God is calling me to be? When the ashes are signed on our foreheads and the words spoken “Repent, and believe in the Gospel” maybe this Gospel message that seems to ask the impossible of us will come to mind.    Sr. Aileen Bankemper, OSB

1 comment:

  1. Dear sister thank you for this good reminder of what Lent should be. Your definition of fasting is very good for me -- to refrain from accusations, hurtful and hateful speech, and retaliation of any sort. This is positive and real in our lives. Forgiving means refusing to blame or to abandon blame. We need to do this in so many places. To tell them that we love and respect them, and that they have goodness that we understand -- this kind of positive healing action. This is the way to make our faith real. The world and the media shout darkness but we must shout with light. Soon it will be Easter! Good Lent and God bless OSB, amen

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