Reflection on Today's Readings, Tuesday, 2nd Week of Lent, Year B, March 2nd, 2021
Texts: Is. 1:10.16-20; Ps. 50:8-9.16-17.21.23; Mtt. 23:1-12
Today's first reading is summarized in the words of St. Peter: Above all preserve an intense love for each other, since love covers over many a sin (1Pet. 4:8). The reading begins by calling the rulers the rulers of Sodom, and the people the people of Gomorrah. Sodom and Gomorrah are known for immorality, abominable practices and corruption of human nature. The tag, Sodom and Gomorrah, shows how corrupt and abominable the people were; the people practice abominable things, and their leaders allow evil to thrive among the people; the rulers did not administer justice. Both the rulers and the people had shunned righteousness, the right conducts.
God called the people to order and reminded them of His readiness to wipe away the records of their sin, if they could practice charity. Before they could obtain mercy and forgiveness from God, they had to change their evil ways and practise charity. Charity, here, is an embodiment of acts of goodness and the keeping of God’s commandments. Hence, it is said, "Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow." After they had changed their ways, and started to practice charity, they could then plead for mercy and forgiveness. It is added thus: "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."
The reading shows that the people were required to practice charity for them to be qualified to obtain mercy and the forgiveness of their sins. This is an affirmation of the words that charity covers a multitude of sins. This reminds us that during this Lent we have to take the practice of charity seriously, that is, we have to be kind and just to our neighbours, to one another. Let us take a trip to orphanage, let us heed the cry of widows and the oppressed, let us practice good deeds, let us keep God's commandments and obey His voice; then we will call on God for mercy and forgiveness, and He will hear us.
Jesus, in today's gospel reading, tells us that the word of God is independent of the bearer. We are to keep the words in spite of the one who proclaims them. Jesus says, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice." We should not allow the conducts of the preacher to stand as obstacle in keeping God's word. Jesus also shows that when a leader is empty he begins to showoff so as to draw attention to himself; he does this to make up for his lack, which is the keeping of God’s commandments and obedience to His word. Seeking of self recognition is a sign of emptiness within or lack. We are to keep the commandments of God and obey His voice rather than seeking self recognition. Keeping God's word wins us God's favour and blessings, for it is said, "If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land". Therefore, let us keep God's word for our good and salvation.
Lord God, give us the grace to keep Your words and to practice charity that we might obtain Your mercy and forgiveness. Amen.
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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