Come to Help Me

March 1, 2012

Thursday of the First Week of Lent

"And now, come to help me, an orphan. Put in my mouth persuasive words in the presence of the lion and turn his heart to hatred for our enemy, so that he and those who are in league with him may perish. Save us from the hand of our enemies; turn our mourning into gladness and our sorrows into wholeness." Esther C 23-25

Jesus said to his disciples: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

Piety

Father, we know that when we ask you in faith, you will answer. Give us the courage to continue to send our petitions to you throughout this Lenten journey. Help us also be the person who hears those who ask of us our help. Help us to see those who seek our assistance. Help us to open the door to those who are isolated from those who will help them. Make us your bridge to share and spread your love with our Lenten prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Study

Yesterday, at first reflection, the Good News sounded highly judgmental and harsh. “This is an evil generation…No sign will be given.” Jesus was usually preaching repentance, forgiveness and healing. But instead, he sounded like he was turning his back on the people. He did not seem to be the healing, approachable, “walk-with-me” teacher.

Instead, Jesus referenced the sign of Jonah. What is the sign of Jonah? The sign is the redemption theme that comes out in today’s readings. Today, we hear who will inherit something greater than the sign of Jonah or the sign of Solomon. Those who turn to the Lord will have their gladness and sorrows turned to wholeness.

Action

Bishop David L. Ricken of Green Bay, Wisconsin, chairman of the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), offered “10 Things to Remember for Lent” as the Church prepared to begin the season last week on Ash Wednesday. Three of his ideas relate to the theme of forgiveness that Jesus drives home today.

Be patient with yourself. When we’re confronted with our own weakness during Lent, the temptation is to get angry and frustrated. “What a bad person I am!” But that’s the wrong lesson. God is calling us to be patient and to see ourselves as he does, with unconditional love.

Reach out in charity. As we experience weakness and suffering during Lent, we should be renewed in our compassion for those who are hungry, suffering or otherwise in need. The third part of the Lenten formula is almsgiving. It’s about more than throwing a few extra dollars in the collection plate; it’s about reaching out to others and helping them without question as a way of sharing the experience of God’s unconditional love.

Learn to love like Christ. Giving of ourselves in the midst of our suffering and self-denial brings us closer to loving like Christ, who suffered and poured himself out unconditionally on cross for all of us. Lent is a journey through the desert to the foot of the cross on Good Friday, as we seek him out, ask his help, join in his suffering, and learn to love like him.