Word to the Wise
Monday, February 26, 2007 - Monday of the First Week of Lent
[Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18 and Matthew 25:31-46]Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers or sisters of mine, you did for me.
It is difficult for me to read this well known pasage from the Gospel of Matthew. I know well my failings in giving food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, welcoming strangers, clothing the naked and visiting the imprisoned. I've also seen the vivid painting of this scene by Michaelangel on the wall of the Sistine Chapel in Rome. It can give one bad dreams! Yet, if we ask what is it that Christ expects of us and for what shall we be held accountable, the words of this passage in Matthew provide a fundamental list. There may be other aspects of the list that are important as well. For instance, do we ever ask WHY people are hungry, thirsty, aliens, naked and imprisoned? Do we ever speak out about these questions? Or are we afraid that we will be "labeled" as a political radical or communist? The great Archbishop of Recife, Brazil, Dom Helder Camara once said, "When I feed the hungry I am called a saint. When I ask why they are hungry, I am called a communist!" We may not be in a position often to provide direct assistance but we have voices, pens and computer keyboards. The list of the Lord is not meant to be complete. Our concern for human life with basic needs and dignity must be shaped according to the needs of our time. That list is basic but there is much more that we could respond to. As a matter of faith we know we wil be held accountable for our lives. Lent offers us an opportunity to reflect on this gospel passage and ask ourselves what could be said about us when that accountability takes place. AMEN
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