Thursday after Ash Wednesday, February 22,2007

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:15-20. Psalm 1. Luke 9:22-25 #221

We continue our intense Lenten experience today with a beautiful covenantal
reading from Deuteronomy. I will preface what I say about it with a
citation from the Vatican II Constitution on fhe Liturgy. " Lent is a
period of closer attention to the Word of God and more ardent prayer."
(#109). Now on to my personal reflections. Brother Leo, a Marianist
Brother, did much to promote peace projects, conferences, and retreats with
people from Northern Ireland and Catholics from Dublin and its surrounding
areas and towns. He died in Ireland and is buried there. I think he is the
only American Marianist buried there. Before he died he had many people
from the States helping him on his efforts to establish peace in all of
Ireland. Brother Leo loved the first reading that we have for Lent and
made it a type of motto for his teaching and educating of youth and adults.
He was a renowned teacher of Religion in High School and also at the
University of Dayton for a few years. He loved the phrase, "CHOOSE LIFE!"
Here is the text from our reading, "I call heaven and earth today to
witness against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and
the curse. CHOOSE LIFE, then, that you and your descendants may live, by
loving the Lord, your God, heading his voice, and holding fast to him. For
that will mean LIFE for you, and LONG LIFE for you to live on the land
which the Lord swore he would give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob."
As a Psalm and its response we have the wisdom hymn that opens the whole
book of Psalms and encourages us to meditate on the words of God, in fact,
to ponder over and over again these words so that we may be like verdant
and fruitbearing trees near running water and not tumbleweeds swirling
hither and thither in the desert. The Psalm is an image of CHOOSING LIFE.
The Gospel from Luke tells us that our best choice in life is to take up
our cross even daily (hence, a good lesson for the days of Lent)) and to
follow in Jesus' footsteps. All three Gospels will iterate the call of
Jesus three times as Passion predictions thus showing us that the Paschal
Mysteries of Jesus are what we focus upon especially during this season of
Lent. All of these readings remind us of the covenant God makes with us.
It is to be permanent and leads us into everlasting life and love with God.
Lent is a time of building our loving relationship to God and to one
another with honesty, faithfulness, and perseverance. Amen.