RBWords

     Lent has a way of making folks focus on external observances such as "giving up something" or going to daily Mass or saying more prayers.  Jesus and Hosea, in today's scriptures, seem to urge us to focus more on the interior observances.  Note that the Pharisee in the parable in today's gospel scripture provides God (as if God needed it) with a list of the things that the Pharisee does.  The tax collector speaks from his own heart and recognizes his need for God's mercy.  Indeed, in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, I often ask the penitent to repeat the prayer of the tax collector instead of a rapid recitation of the "act of contrition."  Jesus tells us that it is the tax collector who goes home in a right relationship with God.

     If it seems hard (or at least inconvenient) for us to give up something for Lent, I would ask what that act does for our interior relationship to God and neighbor.  Are we aware of our biases and prejudices and judgments that have become habitual?  Can we consider not just giving those up (much harder than chocolates or martinis) for good and not just for forty days?  

     Christ died for us so that we can have a life worth living.  Lent offers us an opportunity to examine how we are using that gift!  AMEN