Tuesday of the Second Week

Reflection

Stop.

Just stop.

Stop trying to secure that promotion. Stop considering your next pay raise. Stop thinking that you’re better than everybody else. Stop taking on outward acts of nobility and service, while holding resentment for those you serve. Just stop.

 

In our daily lives here in Vermont, it is easy to get caught up in “what’s next for me?” We, myself included, continue the modern-day version of “widen[ing] our phylacteries and lengthen[ing] our tassels” and “seeking places of honor at banquets…and in the synagogues.” We do so by often pursuing what is best for ourselves…a new house, a new car, the next promotion, a new job title, a bigger pay raise. For those who don’t have to, even claiming the front seat in class could be considered taking a place of honor because we seek to have others see how much we contribute to class discussions.

 

Yet in today’s readings, Isaiah, the psalmist, and Jesus all call us to turn away from this selfish path. Isaiah implores us to “put away [our] misdeeds…make justice [our] aim, and redress the wrong.” Jesus similarly tells us to observe God’s prior teachings on service to others, and to rebuke the example set by the scribes and Pharisees.

 

Let us use this Lenten season to stop pursuing more for ourselves and (re-)find the path of humility and service to others. Let us take on the role of servant as Jesus did.

 

Prayer

Dear Lord, help me this day find opportunities to serve others as Christ served the least of us. Help me to be humble in a world that seeks to promote those who promote themselves. Help me re-center my life on You.

 

Chad T. Ahern, ’99, M’12, Donor Relations Officer

 

 

Scripture
First Reading: Isaiah 1:10, 16-20
Psalm 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23
Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website