Monday, March 24
Read: Psalm 39; Jeremiah 11:1-17; Romans 2:1-11
For today’s reflection, I am reminded that God is God, and we are not! I know it seems so simplistic, yet we struggle with this every day of our lives. I believe that today’s readings will show us how this plays out.
First, in Jeremiah we see how God is fed up with the people of Israel for their constant return to sin and worship of the alien god, Baal. They had been ignoring God’s Prophet, Jeremiah, and even worse, they plotted to kill him. The Houses of Israel and Judah sought to drown out his voice because they no longer wished to honor God’s covenant. Of course, God saves Jeremiah from their plans. Unfortunately, for them, by not honoring God’s covenant, they cursed themselves.
As Jeremiah 11:3-4 says…
“Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Cursed be anyone who does not observe the words of this covenant, which I commanded your ancestors the day I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, that iron furnace, saying: Listen to my voice and do all that I command you. Then you shall be my people, and I will be your God.”
Think about our own lives, how do we react to God’s commands?
All too often, in our secular society we are bombarded by the allure of power, prestige, and possessions. Sometimes these can become so influential that they become idols to us. Lent is a time to return to God whose only son, Jesus, shows us how we should live. And, even when we fail to follow his example, HE gives himself as the expiation of ALL of our sins.
In the reading from Romans, we see the example of the sin of passing judgement on others. Once again, God is God, and we are not. HE is the just judge and as much as we try to avoid judging our brothers and sisters, we certainly fail at this more than we think we do.
Recall the first verse of the reading from Romans…
“Therefore, you are without excuse, every one of you who passes judgment. For by the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the very same things.”
And later in the passage…
“God will repay each person according to what they have done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, HE will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.”
As we continue our Lenten journey, let’s remember that we have a God who keeps HIS promises and respond to HIM and to others in love. Even if it feels like a sacrifice to do the right thing, remember that HE sacrificed more by giving up HIS only Son, Jesus Christ. This isn’t a license to sin knowing that all will be forgiven, but a lifeline to save us when we do.
Prayer:
Our gracious Heavenly Father, we thank you for keeping your promises even when we fail to follow your example. We ask that you help us to glorify you by following Jesus’ commandment… to Love you and to serve our neighbors even when that may be difficult. We know that you see each one of us as a glorious creation and that you love us without limits. We ask that you give us the grace to do the same for one another. We pray through Christ, our Lord. AMEN!
Deacon G. Mathew Pope ’88 is ordained to the Permanent Diaconate through the Archdiocese of Mobile of The Catholic Church. He practices as a Certified Risk Manager and lives in Fairhope, Alabama with his wife, Mrs. Evelyn Pope ’90, who served as editor of this contribution.
