Word to the Wise
Monday, March 3, 2025 - Monday in the 8th Week in Ordinary Time
[Sir 17:20-24 and Mark 10:17-27]To the penitent, God provides a way back, he encourages those who are losing hope and has chosen for them the lot of truth. Return to him and give up sin, pray to the Lord and make your offenses few. [Sirach] Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, "You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." At that statement, his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. [Mark]
Ash Wednesday is still two days away but today's scriptures seem to anticipate it! We can begin with the first scripture from the Book of Sirach. God does provide a way to return for the sinner. In our Catholic tradition, that way is ordinarily through the Sacrament of Reconciliation! That sacrament is broader than the ritual itself because the Lord teaches US to forgive as well. In the Gospel According to Matthew, the parable of the Unforgiving Servant [Matt. 18:21-35] makes that teaching very clear. Every time we pray the "Our Father" we ask God to "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us!" Forgiveness is part of the gospel!
The gospel scripture today recounts the incident when a man comes to Jesus to ask: "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" The man has led a life according to the commandments "from my youth." But Jesus finds the man's weak spot: his possessions. Jesus offers the challenge of selling all those possessions and follow Him. The man is disappointed and goes away sad "for he had many possessions."
Perhaps for Lent, instead of giving up alcohol and candy for 40 days, we can ask how we can improve in forgiveness and how much do we truly NEED instead of what our consumer society entices us to WANT. AMEN.