Friday of the
First Week of Lent
(Ezekiel 18:21-28; Matthew 5:20-26)
At a recently held male spirituality retreat many of the
participants were recovering alcoholics.
They had decided previously to give their lives to a “Higher Power” as Alcoholics
Anonymous prefers to call God and now were deepening their commitment. Although alcoholism is evidently as much a
physical as a moral condition, AA at least does not deny some responsibility on
the part of alcoholics. They must recognize that they have hurt others by their
habit and take responsibility for not falling into the condition again. Today’s readings portray such people as
saints.
Ezekiel announces the Lord’s will as the salvation of
sinners. It does not free them from
responsibility but urges them to reform.
Their reward, it says, will be “life.” In the gospel Jesus teaches his disciples that
they must seek forgiveness from those they have offended for their altar sacrifice
to be worthy.
It is not easy to recognize our sins and even harder to
seek the forgiveness of others. Yet both
chores are at the heart of Christian faith.
If we are going to walk with Jesus, we must act so that our sins are
forgiven.
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