Tuesday of the Eighth
Week in Ordinary Time
(Sirach 35:1-12; Mark 10:28-31)
Americans call the day before the beginning of Lent “Mardi
Gras” which means Fat Tuesday. The name comes from the medieval custom of consuming
all the lard and butter in the house before the time of fasting begins. In those times during Lent the people
abstained from fatty foods as a sacrifice to God. The first reading today aids in appreciating such
sacrifices.
Sirach tells his readers how various sacrifices please
the Lord. Most of all God appreciates offerings
of obedience. The people who carry out
His law, especially the commandment to love God and neighbor, please Him
most. Physical sacrifices offered in
tandem with living righteously are doubly gratifying. Of course, God does eat the animals brought
to the Temple any more than a mother consumes the flowers brought to her on
Mother’s Day. But knowing that His
daughters and sons desire to please Him by offering what is satisfying to them brings
satisfaction.
We make such sacrifices by refraining from what we enjoy
during Lent. Again, in tandem with love
for others such acts of self-denial especially please God. We would be deeply touched if a child were to
all her savings to buy us a gift. We can
also appreciate God’s satisfaction with our sacrifices however small they might
be to Him.
