May it be so
The line before today’s first reading from Jonah — “so the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.” This action of God reminded me so much of my dear friend, Sr. Frances Patricia Degnan, who was born on Palm Sunday in 1923 and at the time of her death was a Sister of Saint Joseph for 80 years! She was a witness at my final vows and she had such wisdom. One of my favorites, “I always tell Him it is so easy for Him to do what I ask!” I guess if God can tell a fish to vomit Jonah onto dry land, there probably isn’t anything impossible for God!
We have been on this Lenten Journey for a week and I feel ready to “make a good Lent.” Today’s Psalm 51 is so familiar as it is regularly prayed in the Office of Readings. “A heart contrite and humble, O God, you will not spurn.” To whom or for what do I need to or wish to offer contrition? Do I have a co-worker or family member with whom I have some “dis-ease?” These Lenten days invite me, and perhaps you, to make amends or extend an apology.
In our daily work with Catholic Charities, we have the privilege of meeting so many people, all of whom have a unique story and one that our God knows in and out. Perhaps we will have a conversation about Lent with some of our clients, but if not, our journey of Lent leads us, through the words of the Prophet Joel, “Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart for I am gracious and merciful.”
Pope Leo XIV in his Lenten message offers a very clear invitation to return to the Lord with our whole heart — “Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgment, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves. Instead, let us strive to measure our words and cultivate kindness and respect in our families, among our friends, at work, on social media, in political debates, in the media and in Christian communities.”
We have this sacred time, we need to ask, the world needs it, may it be so!
Sister Betsy Van Deusen, a sister of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, serves as the CEO of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Albany, NY.