Saturday word, 09 Mar 19

Saturday after Ash Wednesday (09 Mar 2019)

Is 58.9b-14; Ps 86; Lk 5. 27-32

Homily of Fr. Paul Panaretos, S.J., Weekend retreat

Lenten Pleasure

On Ash Wednesday Jesus reminded us not to do pious acts for show. Doing noble and holy things for show is to do them without the right reason and without sincerity. Others seeing us do noble and holy things is our reward, and it is a most shallow reward. Doing holy things with sincere hearts connects us with God, opens us to welcome God’s life—which is the most exquisite reward.

Isaiah sounded this same theme: external worship alone is not to our advantage, worship with our hearts deeply involved is. Removing oppression, false accusation and malicious speech makes our hearts more supple. Supple hearts are not hard hearts, to use the scriptural phrase. Supple hearts are bright with God’s light; they welcome God nourishing us; and they connect us with God’s life.

Reconnecting with God’s life in Messiah Jesus, lavished by the Spirit, is the gift of Lent, our annual, God-given season of joy.¹ Reconnecting with God’s life is our goal in the church’s Springtime.

Reshaping our schedules in order to exercise our hearts—prayer; putting the needs of others ahead of ours then sharing our wealth with the hungry, homeless and burdened—almsgiving; and keeping ourselves focused on God’s life by specific practices—fasting: are Lent’s contours.

Lent’s contours are not burdens; they are neither punitive nor crippling. Lent’s contours are exercises that return us and keep us in sync with God’s heart. Three words in today’s scripture selections confirm that God’s heart is light, supple and joyful. The words are: delight; gladden; and pleasure.

Exercising ourselves so we may be in sync with God’s heart frees us to delight in God, God’s creating ways as well as in others and ourselves. As Prophet Isaiah noted divine delight nourishes us. The Psalmist encouraged us to open ourselves so being in sync with God’s heart may gladden our inmost selves. God takes pleasure when people turn in that direction; the acclamation before the gospel echoed Prophet Ezekiel speaking on God’s behalf: I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked…but rather in their conversion.

Lent allows us to reconnect with God’s life in Messiah Jesus. Jesus’ Spirit helps us cooperate with God’s life offered us. Keep alert to how your hearts are growing more supple on your retreat and as you progress through Lent.

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1. Lenten Preface I.

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Wiki-image For the poor by Deror_avi CC BY-SA 4.0; Guelph2017-1 © Damian Doyle, used with permission.