The two scripture readings join with the responsorial psalm in calling each of us to full committment: (1) Deuteronomy -- "this day the Lord, your God, commands you to observe these statutes and decrees;" (2) Psalm 119 -- "You have commanded that your precepts be diligently kept;" (3) Mt 5: 43 -- "you have heard that it was said, 'you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you."
Recall how often, as adults, we try to impose commands on younger people, especially those who have not reached their 21st year. In these instances it is not a recommendation that we are giving them. It is command. "Do as I say!" I am sure that stirs up memories of old. What has happened to the people of God in our world today? No doubt our young people can point fingers backwards at us adults. Are we as "commanding" to ourselves as we are to the younger among us? How often do we allow ourselves to slip into the "do as I say" while in our hearts we know we might well be adding, "don't do as I do."
Many times priests are confronted by pained penitents or others seeking an inner peace. The person's inner life is amiss. There is just something digging away within that prohibits peace from being a reality. Most likely the inner unrest is the product of living lives without the fullest participation as God "commanded" us, not just young people.
During the journey of Lent, one of the road signs guiding us along the way is "commitment to God's commands." The Holy Spirit is available with a unique way to become more open to God's different commands that have been given to us. When we find these "commands" burdensome or painful, more likely than not we are more in a directive mode than a receptive mode. The gifts of the Holy Spirit, openness to God's voice in the heart, the willingness to live the Gospel: these are the sign posts along the jouney when we discover that our own GPS must not be working correctly. We tend to override the given directions for a safe and please journey. That voice keeps telling us -- "you have missed your turn. At the next intersection turn right for two blocks and follow the signs to God's way."
Recall how often, as adults, we try to impose commands on younger people, especially those who have not reached their 21st year. In these instances it is not a recommendation that we are giving them. It is command. "Do as I say!" I am sure that stirs up memories of old. What has happened to the people of God in our world today? No doubt our young people can point fingers backwards at us adults. Are we as "commanding" to ourselves as we are to the younger among us? How often do we allow ourselves to slip into the "do as I say" while in our hearts we know we might well be adding, "don't do as I do."
Many times priests are confronted by pained penitents or others seeking an inner peace. The person's inner life is amiss. There is just something digging away within that prohibits peace from being a reality. Most likely the inner unrest is the product of living lives without the fullest participation as God "commanded" us, not just young people.
During the journey of Lent, one of the road signs guiding us along the way is "commitment to God's commands." The Holy Spirit is available with a unique way to become more open to God's different commands that have been given to us. When we find these "commands" burdensome or painful, more likely than not we are more in a directive mode than a receptive mode. The gifts of the Holy Spirit, openness to God's voice in the heart, the willingness to live the Gospel: these are the sign posts along the jouney when we discover that our own GPS must not be working correctly. We tend to override the given directions for a safe and please journey. That voice keeps telling us -- "you have missed your turn. At the next intersection turn right for two blocks and follow the signs to God's way."
