These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out. (Jon 3:1-10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030123.cfm
The story of the prophet Jonah is very funny. The pagan city of Nineveh believes the word of the Jewish prophet, repents, and is saved by God—all to the chagrin of the prophet!
Thus says the LORD: Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down And do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, Giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it. (Is 55:10-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022823.cfm
God’s Word can water even the desert of our hearts and souls and make us fruitful in good works for our neighbor.
You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Lv 19:1-2, 11-18)
He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.' (Mt 25:31-46)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022723.cfm
The readings from these first few days of Lent give us the true purpose of this whole season—to lead us to love of neighbor.
For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so, through the obedience of the one, the many will be made righteous. (Rom 5:12-19)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022623.cfm
Sometimes we forget the Good News of Lent—there is salvation. As the Easter Exultet joyfully proclaims: “O happy fault, O necessary sin of Adam, that won for us so great a redeemer!” This First Sunday used to be the beginning of Lent. So if you missed Ash Wednesday, don’t worry, you can begin today!
Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus said to them in reply, "Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners." (Lk 5:27-32)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022523.cfm
Eating and drinking with sinners was one of the first charges against Jesus. Whenever the church tries to play purity games with the Eucharist, it runs up against the prayer that the liturgy itself places on our lips before communion: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”
