February 20, 2010
Saturday after Ash Wednesday
If you 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; Then the LORD will guide you always and give you plenty even on the parched land. He will renew your strength, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring whose water never fails. Isaiah 58:9-11
After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Luke 5:27-28
Piety
Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and oppressed.
Preserve my life, for I am loyal; save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; pity me, Lord; to you I call all the day.
Gladden the soul of your servant; to you, Lord, I lift up my soul.
Lord, you are kind and forgiving, most loving to all who call on you.
LORD, hear my prayer; listen to my cry for help. (Psalm 86:1-6)
Study
One thing about certain parts of scripture, it sure can make decisions along the spiritual journey seem easy. Take Levi.
Levi was at work. He was sitting at his customs post collecting taxes from his neighbors to pass on to the Romans. Imagine a pretty comfortable chair. Piles of money all around. Probably also some nicely appointed gifts. Yet with just a few words, Levi leaves it all behind.
We see an obedience in Levi to the words of Jesus which reacts as firmly as the evil spirits which were cast out with just an utterance from the Lord. Such confidence and self-assurance (God-assurance?) in making this change is seldom seen “nowadays.”
We would make an extensive “pro” and “con” list s we labor over the decision. We could consult our spouse, children, parents, neighbors, co-workers, others who have made a similar decision and more. Not Levi. Jesus said simply, “Follow me.” And he followed. Jesus simply asks (or commands) Levi with two simple words. “Follow me.” And just that simply, Levi leaves everything behind and follows.
What would it take for us to react with the same speed?
Action
Our first reading today from Isaiah answers the question “What do the followers of Christ do?” Our faith compels us to action and the prophet lays out an extensive program of social justice. However such a program is not without its reward.
Among other steps, we are compelled to:
- Remove from your midst oppression,
- Stop making false accusation
- Avoid malicious speech
- Feed the hungry
- Comfort those who are afflicted
If we do this, then the Lord will reward us with a personal, one-on-one relationship.
This week, we have ample opportunities in the Arlington Cursillo community to put Isaiah’s program into practice as we help comfort the families and friends of three members of our community who have died.
- Brother David, Bishop Loverde’s secretary
- Sean, the son of Cursillistas Tom and Rae Copeland
- Marianne, the mother of Cursillista Freddie Wall
