Readings
Is 58: 1-9A
PS 51: 3-4, 5-6AB 18-19
MT 9: 14-15
I love the progression of the first reading! I believe it speaks volumes for the Church and many of the issues in society today. The beginning of the reading is so focused on the "me" in religion. And in the second half you have a shift to the "other" or the "you." It is so easy to get caught up in self importance; which blinds us from being able to truly participate and openly love as a People of God. We lose sight of our role in building the kingdom.
I have really struggled with this over the past year, especially in the work place. I have been so focused on the "burden" I feel I have carried, that I have lost sight of the larger picture. I have failed to bring a sense of humility to the service of others. As a part of the building leadership team I have participated in numerous conversations surrounding desired culture shifts in our school, and I have preached a desire for team work, yet I haven't fully bought into what I have preached. Our society thrives on competition and the comparing of one entity to another, we're obsessed with becoming number one and often disregard any casualties that might get in our way. I think these readings are calling us to put aside our own personal "woes" and egos so that we are able to assist in building the Kingdom. If we seek the presence of God in others and work to build and develop relationships with all the members within the community, we all become a stronger more complete vision of Church. I think this is one of the true challenges of the People of God and definitely something I pray to work on and embrace this Lent.
Thanks, Laura! As I was reading the scripture for the day, I was really touched by the 2nd Reading from Isaiah. (I'm sure it is my political brain right now and we didn't even watch the debate as we visited Michael after going to Sam's.) This could be Bernie's mantra:
ReplyDeleteDon't deprive yourself for others to see, "Share your bread with others, Set free the oppressed, breaking every yoke, shelter the oppressed and homeless, . . . Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,"
. . . and we will create a new nation!
Make your fasting meaningful within the social context. Undertake a fast that is meaningful not only for yourself, but for all of God's Holy People. It is easy to see how others could take fasting to a meaningful level, but much harder to put it into a specific context for me. Hmmm, . . . I should have been having this conversation weeks ago! MF