Daily Lenten Reflections

Friday, February 26, 2021

Friday of the First Week

Reflection

In today’s readings during our initial Lenten days, we have an emphasis on reconciliation and commitment to love God and each other through our words and actions.

Our verse before the Gospel introduces well our reflection: “Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the Lord, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.”

In our first reading, we are reminded of the importance of our current disposition and actions. We are all in need of mercy, and God’s focus on the here and now encouragingly invites us to a deeper relationship with God and each other. We cannot rest on any perceived past “laurels” and must daily avoid complacency. As our beautiful Responsorial Psalm acclaims, we must renew our supplication to God, with whom there is “kindness and plenteous redemption.”

Part of the important Sermon on the Mount, today’s Gospel reading includes the first of six “antitheses” in which Jesus juxtaposes Gospel requirements with tenets of the Law. Extending the commandment to not kill, Jesus notes that anyone who becomes angry and hostile and holds grudges against a neighbor is liable to judgement. Yes, our thoughts and emotions matter. Despite inevitable conflicts and struggles, we are called to respect and reconcile authentically with each other. We can make this commitment when praying the Our Father and in our daily encounters with all of our neighbors, especially the marginalized and struggling.

Given the division and bitterness felt in so many parts of our society and world, may we persistently strive for this reconciliation and unity throughout the Lenten season and beyond!

Prayer

Dear Lord, give us the daily grace we need for reconciliation and unity with all those around us. Deepen our love and compassion so that we may treat others as we ourselves wish to be treated. We ask this through Christ our Lord, our ultimate model of reconciliation. Amen.

George Ashline, Professor of Mathematics

Scripture
First Reading: Ezekiel 18:21-28
Psalm 130:1-8
Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

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Mission of Edmundite Campus Ministry

The Mission of Edmundite Campus Ministry at Saint Michael’s College is to share the Good News of the Gospel with the College community by facilitating encounter with Jesus Christ. We do this through the celebration of the Church’s Liturgy, in programs promoting knowledge of the Catholic faith, by developing ecumenical and interreligious relationships, and providing retreats and other opportunities for personal spiritual growth.

The Catholic and Edmundite tradition upon which the College was founded is grounded in the conviction that all women and men are created in the image and likeness of God providing a special dignity unique to each person. Such dignity requires human life to be respected in all of its stages recognizing that we are all children of God.

Therefore, in its pursuit of furthering the Reign of God, the Edmundite Campus Ministry staff seeks to interact with and support every member of the College community in their search for Truth, contributing to the “enhancement of the human person and to the advancement of human culture in light of the Catholic faith.”