The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today call us to be open to the Spirit in the season of Lent that invites us to greater intimacy with Christ through active participation in prayer, almsgiving, and fasting.
The reading from the Prophet Joel urges us to return to the Lord.
* [2:14] Blessing: the rain that makes possible the grapes and grain (v. 19) that workers will process into Temple offerings.
* [2:16] Elderly…infants…bridegroom…bride: Jerusalem is in such great danger that even those normally excused from fasting or working are called upon to participate in activities to ward off the imminent catastrophe.
* [2:17] Between the porch and the altar: the priests stood in the open space between the outdoor altar for burnt offerings and the Temple building.
* [2:18] Jealous: the Hebrew word describes the passionate empathetic bond the Lord has with Israel. The people’s wholehearted participation in Joel’s call for fasting and prayer sparks the Lord’s longing to protect and love his people Israel. This desire moves him to withhold punishment and to send the blessing of v. 14 instead. (Joel, CHAPTER 2, n.d.)
Psalm 51 is a prayer for Cleansing and Pardon.
* [Psalm 51] A lament, the most famous of the seven Penitential Psalms, prays for the removal of the personal and social disorders that sin has brought. The poem has two parts of approximately equal length: Ps 51:3–10 and Ps 51:11–19, and a conclusion in Ps 51:20–21. The two parts interlock by repetition of “blot out” in the first verse of each section (Ps 51:3, 11), of “wash (away)” just after the first verse of each section (Ps 51:4) and just before the last verse (Ps 51:9) of the first section, and of “heart,” “God,” and “spirit” in Ps 51:12, 19. The first part (Ps 51:3–10) asks deliverance from sin, not just a past act but its emotional, physical, and social consequences. The second part (Ps 51:11–19) seeks something more profound than wiping the slate clean: nearness to God, living by the spirit of God (Ps 51:12–13), like the relation between God and people described in Jer 31:33–34. Nearness to God brings joy and the authority to teach sinners (Ps 51:15–16). Such proclamation is better than offering sacrifice (Ps 51:17–19). The last two verses express the hope that God’s good will toward those who are cleansed and contrite will prompt him to look favorably on the acts of worship offered in the Jerusalem Temple (Ps 51:19 [20–21]). (Psalms, PSALM 51, n.d.)
The reading from the Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians calls us to be Christ’s ambassador.
* [5:18–21] Paul attempts to explain the meaning of God’s action by a variety of different categories; his attention keeps moving rapidly back and forth from God’s act to his own ministry as well. Who has reconciled us to himself: i.e., he has brought all into oneness. Not counting their trespasses: the reconciliation is described as an act of justification (cf. “righteousness,” 2 Cor 5:21); this contrasts with the covenant that condemned (2 Cor 3:8). The ministry of reconciliation: Paul’s role in the wider picture is described: entrusted with the message of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:19), he is Christ’s ambassador, through whom God appeals (2 Cor 5:20a). In v. 20b Paul acts in the capacity just described. (2 Corinthians, CHAPTER 5, n.d.)
In the Sermon on the Mount from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches concerning Almsgiving, Prayer, and Fasting.
* [6:1–18] The sermon continues with a warning against doing good in order to be seen and gives three examples, almsgiving (Mt 6:2–4), prayer (Mt 6:5–15), and fasting (Mt 6:16–18). In each, the conduct of the hypocrites (Mt 6:2) is contrasted with that demanded of the disciples. (Matthew, CHAPTER 6, n.d.)
Tom Lenz comments that the Creighton Online Ministries website offers some clarity and guidance on Ash Wednesday and the purpose of receiving ashes on our foreheads. As it so clearly explains, one of the reasons for the ashes is so that we can be a sign and witness to others of God’s love for us. The ashes remind us and others that we have a relationship with a Living God, and part of that relationship is our eventual physical death so that we can rise to new life in God.
But we don’t need ashes on our forehead to be a sign of God’s love. We can be a witness to God’s love any day of the year. If our actions and our words come from the right intention rather than from a form of gaining attention—then we are a sign of God’s love in the world and one that others can recognize. The ashes we receive on Ash Wednesday are a good reminder for us that we can be a continual sign of God’s love to others, not just on this particular day, but every day so long as we have right intentions. (Lenz, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “Lent - the epitome of our whole life,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 AD.
"Christians must always live in this way, without any wish to come down from their cross - otherwise they will sink beneath the world's mire. But if we have to do so all our lives, we must make an even greater effort during the days of Lent. It is not a simple matter of living through forty days. Lent is the epitome of our whole life." (excerpt from Sermon 205, 1) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 makes a suggestion as we embark on these practices of prayer, almsgiving, and fasting. Try placing a special emphasis on prayer this Lent.
Imagine the blessings that can come as you spend time with the Lord over these next forty days! The God “who is hidden” won’t be as hidden as he once seemed (Matthew 6:18). You’ll begin to love him more, and you’ll come to see his cross as the ultimate act of love, both for you and for everyone around you. That love can warm your heart and help you treat everyone with that very same love.
So what do you think? Are you ready? Because the Lord is. He is ready to reveal himself to you—every time you pray.
“Here I am, Lord! Teach me how to seek you and find you in prayer this Lent.” (Meditation on Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes that Joel is an apocalyptic prophet who encourages us to trust in God’s mercy that is beyond our understanding. After the destruction of the Temple the rabbis instructed people to seek forgiveness through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Friar Judes remind us of the importance of our motivation in our choice of public or private expressions of our faith.
Cynthia Bourgeault identifies discipleship with following Jesus’ “path of self-emptying love.”
What seemed disconcerting to nearly everybody was the messy, freewheeling largeness of his spirit. Abundance and a generosity bordering on extravagant seemed to be the signatures of both his teaching and his personal style.… As we look further, that extravagance is everywhere. When he feeds the multitudes at the Sea of Galilee, there is not merely enough to go around; the leftovers fill twelve baskets…. He seems not to count the cost; in fact, he specifically forbids counting the cost. “Do not store up treasures on earth,” he teaches; do not strive or be afraid— “for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). All will come of its own accord in good time and with abundant fullness, so long as one does not attempt to hoard or cling.
It is a path he himself walked to the very end. In the garden of Gethsemane, with his betrayers and accusers massing at the gates, he struggled and anguished but remained true to his course. Do not hoard, do not cling—not even to life itself. Let it go, let it be— “Not my will but yours be done, O Lord. Into your hands I commend my spirit” [Luke 22:42; 23:46].
Thus he came and thus he went, giving himself fully into life and death, losing himself, squandering himself, “gambling away every gift God bestows.” [1] It was not love stored up but love utterly poured out that opened the gates to the Kingdom of Heaven. (Bourgeault, 2023)
Our daily routines that focus on our needs and desires might be challenged by the prompting of the Spirit in Lent to reflect our action as ambassadors of Christ who love in a self giving Way.
References
Bourgeault, C. (2023, February 22). Self-Emptying Love — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 22, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/self-emptying-love-2023-02-22/
Joel, CHAPTER 2. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 22, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/joel/2?12
Lenz, T. (2023, February 22). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved February 22, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/022223.html
Matthew, CHAPTER 6. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 22, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/6?1
Meditation on Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved February 22, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/02/22/615486/
Psalms, PSALM 51. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 22, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/51?3
Schwager, D. (n.d.). When You Pray, Fast, and Give Alms. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 22, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=feb22
2 Corinthians, CHAPTER 5. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 22, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/5?20
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