"I HAVE NOT COME TO CALL THE RIGHTEOUS
TO REPENTANCE BUT SINNERS"
TO REPENTANCE BUT SINNERS"
On Ash Wednesday, who had the signs of ashes on their foreheads? Some think the ashes mark only the righteous - those who go to Church. But in reality, it expresses our need for repentance.
In Luke's Gospel, Jesus eats and visits with sinners. He does so because they are the ones who need Him most. As we reflect upon this scene, it challenges us to take a deeper look into our own hearts. We may get so used to ourselves, our own way of living, even our faults, that we tend to take the whole package as a given, as though it's the only way. But, Scripture has hope about our future with a greater vision of possibilities.
If we carefully listen to the Scriptures and take them to heart, they have the capability of sharpening our self-knowledge and our sensitivity. We can profit from the words in Isaiah's reading by examining our consciences in these first days of the Lenten season. He says, "Remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech. If you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday" (Is 58:10).
On Ash Wednesday, who had the signs of ashes on their foreheads? Some think the ashes mark only the righteous - those who go to Church. But in reality, it expresses our need for repentance. Jesus calls those of us who need the mercy and compassion of God so that we can experience the life-changing power of forgiveness. Jesus knows His mission and, like Him, we need to learn that doing our Father's Will is not about the rigorous keeping of laws, rules, and regulations. It is about reaching out to the many people who are marginalized through poverty, race, occupation, gender, and even religion. Our main challenge during this time of Lent is to become familiar with that saving, powerful love that only comes from God and is a gift to us!
In the Responsorial Psalm we acclaim, "Keep my life, for I am devoted to You; save Your servant who trusts in You. You are my God" (Ps 86:2)!