Texts: Is. 58:9-14; Ps. 86:1-6; Luke 5: 27-32
Today we are called to fill this season with good deeds. It is not just a season to do good works but also season to train ourselves in the art of good works. In today's first reading, we are asked to stop pointing of the finger. This means we should learn to take responsibility for our actions; we should stop playing blame game. Pointing finger frees us from blame, gives false justification of self and encourages us to commit more sins. Pointing of the finger is an enemy of human development and progress; it breeds stagnation and retrogression.
Taking responsibility for one's actions saves us from the danger of pointing of the finger. When we take responsibility for our actions, we accept the blames for such actions. The fear of accepting blame for wrong things will help us to avoid wrong doing and sins. Accepting blames for one's actions makes us to grow, develop and progress.
We are also asked to stop speaking wickedness. During this season we are to learn how to control our tongue. St. James says, "Someone who does not trip in speech has reached perfection and is able to keep the whole body on a tight rein. ... Think of how small a flame can set fire to a huge forest; The tongue is a flame too. Among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a whole wicked world: it inffects the whole body; catching fire itself from hell, it sets fire to the whole wheel of creation" (3:2-6).
There is also a call to attend to the hungry, the poor. Those who have nothing to eat need our help; justice demands that we help them. We are also called to satisfy the desires of the afflicted. The desire of the afflicted is relief from their affliction. This means we are to console the sorrowful, revive the depressed, strengthen the weary, give hope to the downcast, etc.
We are also reminded that our good deeds win God’s favour and blessings. We become light and blessing to the world by our good works. Hence, it is said, "then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your desire with good things, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail."
Today's gospel reading reminds us that season of Lent is a period in which we leave everything behind to follow Jesus Christ. Just like Jesus Christ we are to call sinners to repentance.
Lord Jesus Christ, help us to follow you in doing good. Amen.
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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