What have you done for me?

 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.'-Mt 25:44

Lent is this time for fasting, almsgiving and penance.  I often feel like I don't fast enough, I don't give enough, and I certainly do not do enough to show that I am sorry for the sins I have committed.  It is a blessing to know that the Church, in her wisdom, chooses to give us readings today that call us back to where we are supposed to be.  In today's first reading from the Book of Leviticus, the Lord speaks to us and gives us hope for our lives.  His litany of 'You shall not['s]...' would seem like chains to bind us but rather it sets the foundation for the promotion of hope and virtue.  The law in Leviticus also shows that the Lord is a God of love and compassion.  God tells us that we are to "not bear hatred for your brother in your heart" and to "take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen" but above all "you shall love your neighbor as yourself."  The teachings of the Church echo these laws given by the Lord for our benefit so that we can glorify in the goodness of the Lord and not suffer the indignities that come when these laws are forsaken.  It is very difficult for me to reconcile my lack of action for others when the Lord calls me out.  There really is no excuse.  Psalm 19 evokes the trust we should have for the Lord.  "Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life."  This psalm affirms the first reading and confirms for us the wisdom of Church in placing it with today's readings.  We should accept that the "precepts of the Lord are right", "the law of the Lord is perfect" and that "the ordinances of the Lord are true."  God gives us these messages of what we should and should not do so that we can live and live fully.  The Psalmist tells us the words of the Lord are life.  Acting in love, as the Lord commands us, can certainly diffuse many tensions we face in everyday life.  But also if we remember the Lord's command to participate in things that bring him glory, we will certain avoid dangerous situations and allow the Lord to give us life.  Today's Gospel calls to mind the judgment of the Lord.  The Lord tells us how we are to be judged when he comes again in glory and he begins to list off what the Church calls the 'Corporal works of mercy:'  Feeding the hungry, giving the thirsty drink, welcoming a stranger, clothing the naked, caring for the ill, visiting the imprisoned.  These days, we cannot reach all those in need and sometimes, our efforts to give to those in need are not necessarily what is in their best interest (depriving a hungry person of food is not what I mean, but rather giving an addict cash money).  The Church helps us in this time and can suggest for us many ways to live the Gospel call and truly helping those in need.  This Lent we are challenged to do so.  So Jesus asks us essentially "What have you done for me?"

Blessed Are They Who Hope In the Lord

"If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.  What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself. 

The beginning of Lent always stirs within me great feelings of hope and suffering.  My friends and I will have our annual discussion of what we are giving up this year.  I am usually disinterested in the actual giving up on things since I tend to not dwell on things.  However, this year, I found myself addicted to what one friend deemed “Demon Coffee.”  The rest of the world calls it ‘Starbucks.’  So my Lent features the sacrifice of my morning cup of Joe from my favorite provider.  Giving up stuff for the sake of giving up stuff is completely contrary to the purpose of Lent.  Some of my friends like to profess that this is the time for sacrifice but I often disagree with them as some of my friends often misinterpret the value of sacrifice in the Lenten tradition.  The Church calls on us to fast whenever we are in need to spiritual graces and I am not just speaking of the fast from eating but rather the fast from anything which will distract us from the life to which Christ has called us to live.  Thus the sheer sacrifice of taking something away from daily life is arbitrary without purpose and intent.  Lent is a prescribed time for growth as we wait on the Risen Lord and the sacrifice of Lent is to remove the obstacles to growth in Christ. 

The Holy Father’s reflection for Lent this year calls to mind a beautiful thought and that is on the virtue of charity.  “Let us be concerned for each other, to stir a response in love and good works.”  Pope Benedict XVI draws from the Letter to the Hebrews to inspire us this Lenten season.  As Christ is ‘the Way, the Truth, and the Life’, we must use this Lenten season to draw ourselves away from the materialism which seems to pervade the society we have come to live in.  When we allow our vision to be obstructed by an iPhone, Xbox 360, or whatever shiny new thing is out there, we run the risk of overlooking our brothers and sisters in need.  Lent is the time to call to mind those who are in need and to give in Love so that we can receive in kind.  God calls us to follow him.  All we have to do is pick up our cross and go.