Friday, March 11, 2022

 Friday of the First Week of Lent

(Ezekiel 18:21-28; Matthew 5:20-26)

So many people remain stuck in their vices that stories of conversions seem hard to come by.  Who knows many individuals who lived for years lives in deceit but now are model Christians?  However, every Alcoholics Anonymous group can give hundreds of examples.  The number of conversion stories becomes gigantic with the one hundred three thousand AA groups in the world today.

Both Scripture readings speak of the need for conversion.  The Lord says in Ezekiel that when one converts, past sins are forgotten.  The converted person does not have to worry about her debts, at least to the Lord.  In the gospel Jesus implores sinners to reconcile with those they have offended.  If not, he warns, they will pay a heavy price.

Lent is a time of conversion.  We make amends.  We start anew.  One writer notes how many families are guilty of willful neglect by seldom eating together. He suggests that the family meal would serve as a better Lenten practice than giving up desserts.  We should create at least one new habit each Lent that would move us out of a sinful way.