Setting things right
At first glance, today’s readings appear quite harsh, rebuking corruption, hypocrisy and sinfulness in no uncertain terms. “Shape up or ship out” seems to be the message. Perhaps the message seems harsh because the topic is the most important one we’ll ever encounter — instruction for our salvation. We need to listen closely.
But making my way through the readings again I see them from a different perspective. I see a loving Father patting the seat next to him saying “Come now, let us set things right.” He longs for us to spend eternity with him and gently invites us to turn away from our worldly desires and toward his love.
This wake-up call is a good opportunity to check our own Lenten progress. Have the sacrifices or extra efforts we’ve made truly brought us closer to God, or are we simply going through the motions? Have our Lenten offerings already fallen to the wayside? Are we still engaging in the same sinful behaviors we pledged to overcome this Lent?
Let’s use today’s wake-up call as an opportunity to set things right with the Lord and with one another. Starting today, let’s recommit to Lenten sacrifices that draw us nearer to God. Make a plan to set things right with friends and family through acts of mercy and forgiveness, and to make things right with the Lord through the sacrament of reconciliation. It’s never too late.
Allison Cavazos serves as the executive director for Catholic Charities of Central Texas in Austin. She and her husband Robert are active members of St. Louis, King of France Catholic Church.