Tuesday of the
Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
(Sirach 35:1-12; Mark 10:28-31)
What Americans call “Mardi Gras” is known as “Carnival”
in other countries. The words refer to
an extended period of reverie just prior to the beginning of Lent. People consume quantities of alcohol,
pastries, and meats (from which “Carnival” is derived)—foods from which many will
soon abstain. They often wear masks to promote
a sense of solidarity by hiding individual identities. Although it is sometimes celebrated to excess,
Mardi Gras does underscore the seriousness of what is to follow. Likewise, today’s gospel also anticipates
Lenten commitment.
Peter tells Jesus that he and the other disciples have
left everything for Jesus. Only Jesus is
worth such a sacrifice. He brings peace
to the world by providing not just a rule of life but the spiritual energy to
carry it out. As he implies at the end
of the passage, following him means giving up all pretensions of personal importance. At the same time it delivers all that is of
eternal importance.
By now we should have a firm resolve to take advantage of
the forty days of repentance and sacrifice beginning tomorrow. In accord with the tradition we might have in
mind a favorite food from which we will abstain. We also might have promised to seek the Lord
in a project among the poor or disabled.
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