Practices for others

The texts today from the lectionary of the Roman CatholicChurch are quite compatible with the practices of Lent as identified by JoeZaborowski of Creighton University of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The routine of Lenten observance has value to us in many ways. We are creatures who can get better at what we do through practice. The time in prayer is an opportunity for us to consider the life which God is calling us to live. The message which Friar Jude Winkler highlights from the passage in the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah is the exhortation to trust in the promises of God. We are warned that trust in human resolve or plans may lead us away from God. The picture created in the parable of poor Lazarus from the Gospel of Luke today is too often seen today in our cities in the contrast between those who have material wealth and those who line the streets in material poverty and homelessness. The traditional Lenten reflection mentioned by Joe Zaborowski that we are ashes and to ashes we will return may open our consciousness to who we are in the Jesus parable and how blind we might be to the God given dignity of those who live with us daily in our cities. So our practice as Christians is to be open to the action of God Incarnate in our being through the Holy Spirit. The physical touching and sensual experience of Jesus Presence in the Eucharistic celebration is the fulfillment of the wish not granted to the rich man in the parable. Jesus bridges the great gulf to bring us the water of life which is our participation in His Body. Our awareness of Divine Presence as the substance of life and the water which brings growth opens to us the possibility that we see all people as brothers and sisters of Christ, living because of a giving decision of the Divine to be faithful to promise and Covenant to be Present within them. The “other” is our opportunity to really live and to know the comfort of the bosom of Abraham through our invitation to be at the banquet next to Jesus as the beloved disciple. In this experience of intimacy with God, our grasp of those death dealing possessions, powers and privileges can be loosened through charity and self denial made real as our almsgiving and fasting.