Tuesday of the
Second Week of Lent
(Isaiah 1:10.16-20; Matthew 23:1-12)
People today want to be “cool.” That is, they want to be noticed. Even if being cool means committing an
injustice, they want to be known as someone that matters. This warped desire conflicts directly with Jesus
teaching in today’s gospel.
Jesus is giving instructions to his followers and to
Jewish peasants. He admonishes the
former to avoid the hierarchies of the Jewish leaders who vaunt themselves with
titles. He consoles the humble who feel
the onus of those same leaders’ laws. To
both groups he recommends service without self-seeking. He promises them a due reward in their common
Father’s Kingdom.
We should be questioning our motives as part of our Lenten
examination of conscience. Do we act to
serve others or are our actions motivated by the desire to be looked up to? Alternatively, do our actions cause others to
give thanks to God or do they make their lives more difficult? Now is the time
to rectify both motives and deeds. As
Isaiah says, though our offenses be as odious as blood on snow, they may become
as pure as lamb’s wool.
