Wednesday, March 2, 2022, is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. During Lent most of us give things up – eating meat on Fridays, sugar and sweets, alcohol and tobacco, television, movies, computer games and other forms of entertainment. Others of us take something on - attending daily mass, spending an hour before the Blessed Sacrament, participating in the Stations of the Cross, or praying an extra Rosary. These are all laudable endeavors.
For those of you who have not yet made any plans for Lent, I propose the Iron Christian Challenge:
- If you are angry with someone or about something – give it up.
- If you hate someone or something – give it up.
- If you are judgmental or condemning – give it up.
- If you are hurt because someone has wronged you – give it up.
- If there is someone you need to forgive – forgive them.
- If someone hates you – forgive them.
- If someone is angry with you – apologize.
- If someone is your enemy – pray for them.
- Be generous with everything you have and expect nothing in return.
- Love everyone the way God loves you.
If we can accomplish these challenges, Jesus promises us in today’s Gospel, Luke 6: 27 – 38, our “reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.” And he reminds us that “the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”
My prayer is that each of you will be blessed with a full and rewarding Lent.
Compassionate God and Father,
you are kind to the ungrateful,
merciful even to the wicked.
Pour out your love upon us,
that with good and generous hearts
we may keep from judging others
and learn your way of compassion.
We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
AMEN.
