Word to the Wise
Monday, March 6, 2017 - 1st Week of Lent - Mon
[Lev 19:1-2, 11-18 and Matt 25:31-46]MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2017 MONDAY IN 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 of mine, you did for me." [Matthew] If one needs a list of things that the Lord expects of us, the Gospel According to Matthew provides it in today's gospel scripture. That list is rooted in the original covenant of the Mosaic Law, shown in the first scripture for today from the Book of Leviticus. The scene in Matthew is etched in my mind because of a visit to the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican where I saw Michelangelo's rendition on the wall behind the altar. In the center of the mural is a man with a horrified look on his face when he realizes his failure to respond to the needs of the least of our brothers and sisters in Christ. The memory sends a chill down my spine because I know of my own inadequacies in this regard. It is perhaps because of this scripture that Pope Paul VI wrote in his encyclical, ECCLESIAM SUAM, that the "real presence" of Christ is in "the faces of the poor." How can we be blind to this? Given the scope of poverty, hunger and homelessness in our world, apparently we can, collectively, be very blind, despite the incredible efforts of such agencies as Catholic Relief Services, Oxfam, Doctors Without Borders, etc. Lent offers us an opportunity to examine our own individual consciences to see where we can do our own small part. Yes, praying and donating money are important, but is there a "hands-on" opportunity in our community. Those in need show us the face of Jesus. Our help is a different but nonetheless real form of love and adoration. Today's gospel scripture assures of of this. AMEN
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