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March 10, 2022In today’s readings, the Lord masterfully displays the meaningfulness of the works of mercy and the law of love during this season of Lent. In the first reading, Queen Esther, a beloved royal daughter of the Father, begs the Lord in the midst of trouble, “Help me, who am alone and have no help but you” and “come to help me, an orphan.” We all resonate with these cries from the heart! Like Queen Esther, we, too, cry for justice and mercy! Stemming from a similar experience, the Psalmist, too, cries from the heart and exclaims, “Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.” In a world where there is much suffering and injustices occurring daily, even in our own homes and relationships, we all cry for help, “Come Lord, please help me!” However, we are not abandoned! God answers by building up strength within us! How?
In today’s Gospel, Jesus Christ affirms us and states, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” God the Father always provides! During this season of Lent, many of us will be sacrificing certain habits or dietary measures, noble endeavors. However, Jesus today remarkably reveals how we should approach fasting and almsgiving: fasting from our own ego and selfishness and giving of ourselves to one another. He reveals that it is through us, other Christs, who will respond to the cry of the widow, the orphan, the hungry, the imprisoned, the lonely, the marginalized. Jesus reveals the Golden Rule as the foundation for almsgiving, “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you” and He encapsulates this by stating “This is the law and the prophets.” This is wonderful! God not only provides for our needs, He answers the cries of help through each one of us–through the gift of self.
As we journey on this season of Lent, let us keep in mind that when we see someone in need, whether materially or spiritually, it is God who is inviting us to approach our brother or sister in need. Among the “good gifts” we can offer people, the greatest is the gift of self and helping carry each other’s cross. Let us genuinely pray, fast, and provide almsgiving and ask for “a clean heart” to see Christ in our brothers and sisters in need.
Something to reflect on:- Have I neglected my co-worker, my classmate, my spouse, my friend, my brother/sister? Have I avoided someone who needs help because I find them annoying, irritating, cumbersome?
- Have I given someone advice to lead them astray or harm them? Have I gossiped to save face or ruin someone’s reputation?
- Have I been intentional and genuine in helping someone? Have I sought recognition or honor when I helped someone?
