Overcoming Our Misdeeds March 15

Prayer

Jesus, help us to put away what matters least and focus on what matters most. Teach us Your justice so we can make it our aim. Help us to follow the easy things you ask us to do so that we can also follow the tasks that are more difficult. If we were already doing what you asked, you would not be calling us. Jesus, you told us that those who are well have no need for a doctor. Jesus, hear our call to 9-1-1. We are sinners and want to turn to you. But the gate is narrow and the road is hard. Be with us along the journey as you walked with those heading to Emmaus.

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/031406.shtml

Yesterday in the daily readings, we were confronted with classic biblical themes in Isaiah, where we heard the cry:

Wash yourselves clean!Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes;cease doing evil; learn to do good.Make justice your aim: redress the wronged,hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.

Matthew reminds us today that, “[W]hoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

What we pursue in the world truly are our missed deeds. We miss the chnace to do the right thing. We spend our lives striving for accomplishments, achievements and perfection. How little will all of these accomplishments matter! The Lord will not ask us how much money we made. He will not ask how many cars we drove. The Lord will not care about whoever dies with the most toys. Instead, he will ask if we heard the cry of the orphan and the widow – the “anawim” of the Hebrew Scriptures.

Action

God put us here to till the Earth and to keep it for him. What can you offer today to “fertilize” this Garden?

Can you offer your mind in order to show others the logic and wisdom of God in the world? Can you offer your hands to do God’s work every day? Can you offer your feet to take people close to the Lord? Can you offer your heart in order to reconcile your worldly choices with the heavenly choices God has planned for us? Can you offer your talents to build communities of salt and light so people everywhere can taste and see the goodness of the Lord?