Friday of the Third
Week of Lent
(Hosea 14:2-10; Matthew 12:28-34)
In a sad ballad Elvis Presley used to sing, “It's only words,
and words are all I have to take your heart away.” In the
first reading today, the prophet Hosea tells us that God wants us to woo His
heart with words. “Take with you words,”
the prophet says on behalf of God, “and return to the Lord.” Words are like rockets that bring the one who
prays close to God.
But, as everyone knows, words often fall short of
reality. Sometimes words are used deceptively
or, at least, in ways that do not match one’s intentions. “I would do anything for you,” a university
student told his girlfriend. “Would you go
to the library with me on Friday evening?” she asked. “I would,” he said, “but I am busy then.” Words then are not enough. One must be sincere in what one says.
The step between words on the lips and sincerity in the
heart is all that is missing from the scribe’s entering the Kingdom of God in
the gospel. Jesus does not mean to criticize
the man when he says that is he is “not far from the Kingdom of God.” He only means that the scribe’s approval for
Jesus’ articulation of the greatest commandment is not enough for salvation. He must not only approve Jesus’ words but
live them. When we say that we love God,
we also must demonstrate our sincerity with actions of self-sacrifice on behalf
of others.
