18 19 Editing Our Lives I once participated in a Bible study that took today’s Gospel for its inspiration. The sheep and the goats—or so I thought. Looking at the handout our leader had prepared with the passage to be discussed, I discovered that all reference to the goats had been removed. At first I was puzzled, and then I was distressed. Why were those verses kept back from me? Were they too long? Were they too repetitive? The real reason, I fear, was that they had been deemed too “difficult” for us. In the judgment and condemnation of the goats, we behold the possibility of ultimate failure in all its terrible reality. The leader of my Bible study wanted to protect me from this prospect by carefully editing the text. Unfortunately, though, his intention was misbegotten. The only one who can protect us from this prospect is Christ. And to accomplish that saving work, we must permit him to edit our very lives. So, while we do not enjoy confronting the reality of hell, we know—deep down—that we must, for we will not be saved by feigning ignorance. We will be saved by appealing to the mercy of God. Ultimately, we turn to Christ not because he has nice things to reveal but because he has true things to reveal. For only the truth has grace, and only grace saves. Reflection based on Matthew 25:31-46 Father Gregory Pine, o.p. Merciful Father, give us the grace to confront the reality of our lives in the light of Christ and spare us the sorrows that would keep us from you. Amen. Today’s suggested penance: Do something concrete to help the poor. M o n d a y , F e b r u a r y 2 7 Monday of t he F i r s t Week of Lent “Do not babel” Anger and hurt were written on my kids’ faces. Unkind words had led to blows, and I was stuck in the middle wondering what to do. My house can get amazingly loud in such conflicts. Noise becomes a weapon to beat down opponents, and confusion reigns. I often join in, trying to be loudest so my will may be done. Even when this approach works, it leaves a sour taste, a clear indication that this is not the ideal way for a family to communicate. I’m reminded of the tower of Babel, where noise replaces communication, and family harmony disappears. In today’s Gospel, Jesus presents a gentle antidote to all pagan babbling, including calling, so to speak, on gods of anger. The Our Father, founded on our identity as children of God, is a confident, practical prayer. Taking twenty seconds or less to pray, it leaves plenty of room for silence inwhich to listen for a response. Amidst the Babel of family conflict, the Our Father was my remedy. Surrendering the need to yell for power, I made our Lord’s words my own. “Our Father who art in Heaven, I offer you this messy situation. What should I do?” And the answer came, “Forgive those who trespass….” Though uncertain where justice lay in the sibling battle, I realized that teaching the practice of forgiveness is a fruit always in season. Reflection based on Matthew 6:7-15 Thérèse Obagi Heavenly Father, through the prayer of the Word, grant all families the tranquility that comes from recognizing your providential leadership and practicing true forgiveness. Today’s suggested penance: Spend tenminutes slowly meditating on the Our Father. T u e s d a y , F e b r u a r y 2 8 Tuesday of t he F i r s t Week of Lent
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