Wednesday, February 17, 2016



Wednesday of the First Week of Lent

(Jonah 31-10; Luke 11:29-32)

Liberal newspapers focus on inequality as the greatest domestic threat.  They constantly report a growing income gap between rich and poor.  Now they say that life expectancy between the two groups is also widening significantly.  They tend to overlook, however, other evidence of moral decline.  They are not especially concerned about drug use and pornography.  If they examine all the evidence, they could hardly but conclude with Jesus in today’s gospel.  They would have to admit, “…this generation is evil...”

Jesus is pictured as reacting to the people’s rejection of him.  Although he heals the sick and preaches with compelling stories, he cannot form a mass movement of disciples.  When he dies, his apostles will convert myriads of pagans into believers.  At the end of time descendants of these converts will show the Jewish people that they were wrong to ignore Jesus.

We like to think of ourselves as faithful followers of Jesus, but we may be imposters.  To be true disciples we have to pay him more than lip service and even than attendance at weekly Eucharist.  We truly follow Jesus when we seek out the troubled and assist them carry their burdens.