God’s blessings! The season of Lent begins this week. It is a wonderful time to reflect on our lives and our spiritual journey. It is a time to consider our prayer, fasting and almsgiving – in other words, our prayer, sacrifice and generosity. The weekend’s readings are a nice springboard, inviting us to give thanks to God for everything and, out of our giftedness, bear good fruit, joyfully being missionary disciples, “Missionaries of Hope.”
Our Psalm reads, “Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.” In the second reading from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians we hear, “Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” St. Paul then encourages us, “Be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” We may not always see immediate results here on earth in the complications of life, but we can bear fruit for eternal life.
From the Old Testament Book of Sirach, this wisdom is imparted: “The fruit of a tree shows the care it has had; so too does one’s speech disclose the bent of one’s mind.” So we can choose to be people of kindness, sharing our attitudes, intentions and affections. Our speech and actions allow us to reveal where our roots were formed, and may our prayer life keep those roots enriched. In that process, may we be good listeners and be careful not to judge others too quickly.
In the Gospel from John, Jesus addresses this: “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?” We need to look at ourselves, and be able to forgive ourselves and others as situations arise, treating each other with care.
All of this comes full circle as Jesus says in the Gospel, “A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good.” Please be gentle to yourself and to your loved ones, softening the heart. May we all be part of spreading the “GOOD News!”
Deacon Steve Vande Hey
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