Monday, March 6, 2023

THE INVITATION TO REPENTANCE

 Meditation for Tuesday of the second Week of Lent
(Is 1:10, 16-20; Mt 23:1-12)

The prophet Isaiah addresses the leaders of Israel, who were soaked in iniquity. He called them, “rulers of Sodom’, while addressed the people as “People of Gomorrah!” From the midst of their evil, he invites them to learn to do good, seek justice, correct oppression and defend the weak. “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”

 

This invitation to repentance is given to us anew through our Lenten observances. In silence and serenity, the Lord speaks to our hearts as we take up fasting, prayer and almsgiving. He shows us through our regular meditation on the Cross of Jesus this season the evil that has ruled us like the rulers of Sodom, and the sins that have colored our hearts like crimson. The Lord has pledged to wash us clean like wool, but we must be willing and obedient to Him.

 


The strength of this divine invitation to a new life must now rule our hearts and mind. Religious leaders and political leaders, who ‘sit on Moses’ seat’ may fail us or scandalize us, but our willingness to do good and obedience to God’s call will carry us onward. Every leader must lead us rightly to obey the Lord, not to be an obstacle like the rulers of Sodom. Such hypocritical leaders are often full of themselves, reigning in their pride. Thus, humility is our escape route from our present-day scribes and Pharisees, and at the same time, it is the way forward to responding to the divine invitation to repent of our sins and be cleansed. At the end Jesus says, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Tuesday March 7th, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

14th Lenten meditation

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