Today we have the unusual situation of a religious leader actually commending Jesus for His words (Mk 12:28-34).  A scribe asks Jesus what the first commandment is.  Jesus replies with the Shema from Deuteronomy 6 (there is only one God and he should be loved with one’s whole being) to which He attaches a second commandment from  Leviticus 19 (“You shall love your neighbor as yourself“).  The scribe elaborates that Jesus’ first commandment “is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” (v. 33)  Jesus approves of this insight and closes His remarks with the headline above.  We should earnestly wish that Jesus is saying the same thing to us.  In the reading, the scribe, a professional interpreter of the Law in the synagogue, and thus knowledgeable in both oral tradition and written tradition, is interested in Jesus’ interpretation of the Law.  Jesus clearly finds this man to have a deep understanding of His area of expertise.  If it was important for Jesus’ interlocutor to know and understand scripture and tradition, should it be any less true for us?  Just as the Jews rely on both, so are we blessed to have traditions passed down in oral an written form, safeguarded by the teaching authority of the Church.  In our day, we have little excuse for not being familiar with the Word of God and the teachings of Mother Church.  How can we be close to the Kingdom if we have no familiarity with the road map that let’s us know how to get there?  Starting with, or going back to, the Bible and the Catechism, will open up the riches of the Kingdom to all who seek it with a sincere heart.

The gospel for this day (Lk 11:14-23) starts with Jesus exorcising a demon.  This naturally causes amazement, but Jesus’ enemies accuse Him of driving out demons through the power of the prince of demons.  Jesus responds with the famous line, “if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?” (v. 18)  He then has the crowd consider the implications of: What if what He has just done is from God?  He closes with the line at top.  A good question to ask is, “What does it mean to be against Jesus?”  We might immediately consider as an extreme example, satanists.  Certainly a person who knowingly espouses this pits himself against God.  True atheists don’t hate God, they simply do not believe.  But their arguments can certainly sway some (a growing number) from believing, and thus they work against God by attacking faith and scattering the faithful.  Agnostics are lukewarm and do nothing to advance God’s Kingdom.  Obvious culprits, all.  But what about self-proclaimed believers who, through word or deed, belie their Christianity?  In a sense, these are against the Lord more so than declared opponents or unbelievers.  Bad example has turned off many seekers from embracing Christianity, often causing them to become outspoken against it.  Our faith must shape our lives.  We acknowledge we are trespassers, so we must continuously work on eliminating sin from our lives.  But our inclination toward evil is no excuse to sin against God and others, or otherwise provide bad example.  We must work on our faults, correcting any harm we’ve done as quickly and completely as possible, while being unafraid to share our faith and witness to its powerful effect in our lives.  Lent is a good time to ramp up prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and other good works in an effort to live authentic Christian lives.

Lent has provided several opportunities for us to read from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.  Happily, today is another such day (Mt 5:17-19).  Jesus teaches how even the smallest part of a letter of the law must not be abolished until He fulfills all of it.  So, breaking any commandment, or leading others to do so, will bring condemnation; others get the promise at top.  The way we conduct our lives is the greatest witness to our core beliefs.  “Do what I say, not what I do” does not fly for authentic Christians.  Self-reform must come first, and must constantly be worked on.  Prayer, examination of conscience, avoiding temptation, regular and frequent Confession, spiritual direction (from good books, or even better, a good spiritual director) are all indispensable to overcome sin, especially those to which we are most prone or which have become habitual.  But Jesus does not stop at simply calling for us to follow the commandments; we are also to teach them to others.  So we must also learn what the Lord asks of us and conform our consciences to an authentic understanding of His teaching.  Fortunately, we have Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition safeguarded by the teaching authority of the Church (the Magisterium).  Read and meditate on the Bible often.  Learn the Faith also from the Catechism and many fine books available for our instruction and edification.  Then you will “always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.” (1 Pt 3:15)

This day, Matthew tells of an encounter between Jesus and Peter (Mt 18:21-35).  Peter asks Jesus how often he should forgive someone who wrongs him.  Jesus responds that the number of times is unlimited and then tells him how the kingdom of heaven is like a master who forgives an unfathomable debt to a servant who begs him to.  That servant, though, is unwilling to forgo the miniscule amount owed to him by a fellow servant.  When news of this incident comes back to the master, he angrily denounces the first servant, “hand[ing] him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt.” (v. 34)  Jesus concludes with the line at top.  We would do well to take seriously this conclusion to Jesus response.  Peter undoubtedly thought he was being magnanimous in being willing to forgive someone seven times.  Jesus quickly puts this into perspective by relating how the Father (Master) forgives us in ways we can’t imagine.  As we are to emulate God, we must also not put a limit on forgiveness.  But how difficult this is!  Even a minor offense easily causes us grief.  But serious harm to us or our loved ones?  We can easily fall into a very comfortable grudge, or worse, a desire for revenge.  This is not the way of the Lord.  And our response has eternal consequences.  Just like the servant in the parable, we can never repay our debt to God.  And like that servant, our torture will be eternal, if we don’t show our faith in God by loving Him and our neighbor as ourselves (see later in Matthew at 22:36-40).  This is so foundational to our faith, that Jesus blessed us with the Our Father prayer (see earlier in Matthew at 6:9-15) to remind us every time we say it as to what our response should be in all circumstances.  This is not a wimpy attitude, it is Jesus attitude, and He is no softie.  We don’t stand for injustice and we should pray hard and work hard to eliminate it.  All the while, though, we hate the sin and love the sinner.

Going back to Luke (4:24-30), we find Jesus back in Nazareth, the town in which He grew up.  Jesus’ public ministry had just started, as, after his forty days in the desert, He began teaching in Galilee and quickly gaining fame.  Just prior to today’s excerpt, Jesus is in the synagogue so familiar to Him declaring that He is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy (Is 61:1-2 and 58:6).  While the townsfolk “spoke highly of him and were amazed at [his] gracious words” (4:22a) they also asked, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” (4:22b).  The latter doubts prompt Jesus’ reply, starting with the words above.  When Jesus cites several examples from the Old Testament indicting His listeners, they nearly throw Jesus off of a cliff.  The words at top should be a comfort to those of us who have experienced a deep conversion or a drawing closer to the Lord, but have received some push back, ridicule, or distrust from those closest to us because of the change this has caused in us.  Take comfort, because, like so many other trials, tribulations, difficulties, and sufferings, Christ experienced this as well.  And if these folks want to “hurl [us] down headlong” (v. 29) (hopefully only figuratively), well, the Son of God has been there.  As He did, we must simply walk away.  And then we pray for the gift of fortitude on our part and understanding on theirs.  We can be assured that our seeking the truth in humility and love will allow God to work on all affected hearts.

Today we move over to the early part of John’s gospel (2:13-25).  Here we have Jesus’ first broadly public action (preceded only by His miracle at the Cana wedding).  Jesus, going to Jerusalem as the Passover draws near, angrily drives out merchants and moneychangers in the temple area.  The Jews question His authority to do this, but He only responds: “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” (v. 19)  Astonishing to the inquirers, Jesus’ disciples will recall these words after the Resurrection.  Meanwhile, Jesus is getting many followers because of the signs He is performing, but He remains wary of human adulation and knows it can turn.  But let us focus on Jesus cleansing of the temple.  Certainly, He was zealous for His Father’s house.  He did not want to see it desecrated or disrespected.  Our attitude today should be the same.  How do we approach entering the Lord’s house in which He resides in the tabernacle?  Do we make an effort to recollect ourselves?  To arrive a bit early to prepare?  And if we do so, do we distract others with needless conversation, or do we allow them to speak to the Lord in peace as we should be doing?  Do we honor the Lord by entering well-groomed and dressed appropriately, forsaking ostentation and embracing modesty?  Are we sure to be attentive to all parts of the liturgy, listening intently and responding forthrightly, clearly, and with conviction?  Does this attentiveness extend to our posture or do we, by slouching, show our lack of interest?  Do we sing the Lord’s praises even if not blessed with the best voice?  Are we crisp with our actions, or is the genuflection more like a curtsy, and the sign of the cross akin to shooing away a fly?  Must we be the first one out of the parking lot, or are we happy to spend a few more minutes giving thanks for the great gift we received in Word and Eucharist?  Attention to all of these things more properly disposes us to receive grace — the more effort we put into it, the more God can work in us.  Does zeal for His house consume you?

Maybe the most famous parable of the Bible is read today: The Prodigal Son (Lk 15:1-3, 11-32).  Jesus tells this story as a response to Pharisees and scribes who complain about Jesus’ popularity with tax collectors and sinners.  In the parable, the younger of two sons demands of his father the inheritance due to him.  Taking it and going away, he squanders it, finds himself destitute, and decides to go back to his father to work for him.  The father welcomes him joyously and even throws a lavish party for him.  The loyal older brother gets wind of this and becomes livid, remaining obstinate even after the father pleads with him.  At top are the final words of the father to this older sibling.  Clearly this was aimed at the religious leaders who, being part of the Chosen People (the older brother), resented the fact that Gentiles, pagans, and “sinners” (the younger brother) were converting after having gone astray for a long time.  It is aimed at us today, as well.  May we never bemoan or resent when someone who has long led a life of dissipation, even of serious immorality or even criminal behavior (even if we are the victims), comes back to the Lord, even late in life, even on his deathbed.  We should be as overjoyed as the angels (Luke 15:10 — the parable that closes with this line was skipped in today’s reading) at such a conversion.  If we find this difficult, maybe it helps to remember that we all fall into the category of “sinners” and none of us are saved without the grace of God.  Let us be as overjoyed as the father (and Our Father) is when His open invitation to come home is accepted.

Going back to Matthew (21:33-43, 45-46) for the gospel reading, we hear Jesus tell the parable of the wicked tenants to the chief priests, elders, and Pharisees.  This He does shortly after entering Jerusalem.  It is one of several parables He tells in short order indicting the religious leaders in that city.  In today’s parable, a landowner leases his vineyard to tenants.  When it’s time for the tenants to pay up, the master’s servants come back beaten or dead.  When he sends his son, they kill him as well.  Jesus then makes it clear that He is the Son of the Master by quoting Psalm 118 (22-23).  Indignant, especially after Jesus caps His message with the words at top, they wish to arrest Him but they feared the adoring crowds.  We should see here an indictment of our own time as well.  God is pushed more and more aside as He is forgotten, ignored, denied, and railed against, while His commands are openly and brazenly flouted.  It can be discouraging to see this in so many parts of the world and in particular in our own country which was founded on Judeo-Christian principles.  We must not give up or give in, though.  We must consider what we can do to raise the culture and the level of discourse.  As always, it starts at home on our knees.  Eliminating sin in our lives helps us to see more clearly the evil around us (cf. Mt 7:3) and allows us to be shining example to others that all is not lost and that the downward slide of morality is neither acceptable nor inevitable.

Today’s gospel from Luke (16:19-31) is the well-known story, related by Jesus to the Pharisees, of Lazarus and the rich man (sometimes named “Dives” which is Latin for “rich”).  Lazarus is the poor beggar ignored by Dives in life but confronted with him after both have died.  Dives begs Abraham, who holds Lazarus in his bosom, to send Lazarus to his brothers so they can avoid the same sin that caused the torment Dives is now experiencing.  Abraham closes his response with the headline of this post.  Of course, in this story (not necessarily a parable — but that is for another time) we can seed that Jesus is alluding to His forthcoming resurrection from the dead.  But for his hearers at the time, referring to the poor man as “Lazarus” would certainly have made the Pharisees think about Jesus raising His beloved friend Lazarus from the dead (see Jn 11:1-46, esp. v. 46 when the event was reported to the Pharisees on which “from that day on they planned to kill him” [v. 53]).  Jesus, never shy about confronting the Pharisees, again makes them consider their attitude toward Him.  And it should make us consider our attitude toward Christ as well.  As Christians we believe that Jesus rose from the dead — it is indispensable to our faith (see 1 Cor 15:12-20).  But do we listen to Moses, the prophets, and the one to whom they pointed?  Remeber Jesus words in Matthew to those He welcomes into the Kingdom: “For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat: I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in: Naked, and you covered me: sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me.” (Mt 25: 35-36)  Are we persuaded to live a life cognizant of our need to perform these corporal works of mercy?  How might we better use our time, talents, and treasure to help not only the physical necessities of the downtrodden, but also their spiritual needs?  In addition, what are we doing to call out and correct injustice in society?  Lent is a wonderful time to reflect on our role in helping “these my least brethren” (Mt 25:40).

Humility is again a key concept, as it was yesterday, as we move to a scene a bit earlier in Matthew (20:17-28), with Jesus and His apostles making their way toward Jerusalem.  First Jesus foretells His imminent trial, passion, death, and resurrection.  Astonishingly, the scene immediately turns to the mother of the apostles James and John, who asks Jesus to “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” (v. 21)  When the other ten become upset at these two, Jesus uses this as an opportunity to teach the importance of humility (see above) using His own life and mission as an example: ‘”Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (v. 28)  Time after time in the gospels, Jesus stresses the importance of a life of humility and service in His words and, more importantly, in His life and deeds.  He does this also as the living Word of the Old Testament and the various letters of the New.  One cannot help but think that John, when later he was standing at the foot of the cross, must have recalled all of Jesus’ and Scripture’s teaching on humility, but in particular the episode with his mother and brother.  There Jesus was in front of him fulfilling the prophecy that prefaced that scene.  On top of that, to the left and right were two men with Jesus as He was about to enter His kingdom.  From their “thrones” one reviled Jesus, but the other, in humility, recognized his sin and unworthiness but asked Jesus to remember Him.  Then came the consoling words: “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Lk 23:43)  It must have hit John like a ton of bricks what was to be in store for him, and what his disposition must be, if he aspired to sit with Jesus in His Kingdom.  As for his brother, James, to whom John undoubtedly relayed this poignant scene, he was to receive the honor of being the first apostle to be martyred (cf. Acts 12:2), thus joining Jesus and the good thief in heaven.  John was destined to live a long life, but suffered white (i.e., bloodless) martyrdom through a long life of persecution, exile, and failed attempts to have him killed.  James and John may not have known what they were asking at the time, but ultimately they were able to “drink the chalice that I am going to drink.” (v. 23)  It is worthwhile for us to reflect on whether we are ready to follow their lead.