Saturday after Ash Wednesday
Reflection
It isn’t often one encounters irony in the Scriptures; but today’s Gospel gives us one. Imagine being counted among the “righteous” and not needing the physician Christ. A select group indeed.
For historical reasons, the Gospels present a negative view of the Pharisees. As portrayed, they represent people with a smug sense of spiritual superiority. Like the Pharisees, it is easier to see the splinter in someone else’s eye while missing the beam in our own. Hearing Christ’s call to repent can be a challenge.
In today’s first reading from Isaiah, we are given things to look for to help us open our ears, and eyes. Isaiah writes: “…light will rise for you in darkness…if you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted.” And it is a light that will enable us to “raise up…foundations from ages past,” and lead us to be a “repairer of the breech and restorer of ruined houses.”
Christ is that light; and in that light we can sadly see things ruined or being ruined. Like Matthew the tax collector, wherever we are, whatever we are doing, Christ the Light calls us to repent humbly and in truth; so we can give birth to light, heal divisions, and restore what is being ruined.
Prayer
Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth.
Peter Tumulty, Professor of Philosophy
Scripture
First Reading: Isaiah 58:9b-14
First Reading: Isaiah 58:9b-14
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Thanks so much for your comment! We appreciate it. The students, staff, faculty, and members of the 11am worshipping community offer some beautiful reflections.
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