Friday of the fourth Week of Lent
(Ezekiel 18:21-28; Matthew 5:21-26)
An alcoholic who has long been on the wagon, speaks gratefully
of his life. He not only made a radical
change for the good but has also helped others.
He serves as an Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor who assists other
alcoholics through the painful process of conversion. This is what the readings today as well as the
season of Lent is about.
In the first reading Ezekiel says that God delights in
conversion. No matter what their sins
are, Ezekiel says, the future of the converted is bright. In the gospel Jesus portrays a conversion. Someone is on the way to make a peace
offering to God. Then he remembers that
he has offended a neighbor. Since there
is no peace with God unless one seeks forgiveness for past sins, the offender
must do that first.
Many have difficulty saying, “I’m sorry.” A popular movie of
the 1960’s said that apologies did not even matter where love reigns. That does not seem right. Apology for having offended another is an
important step on the way to conversion.
We are to say it with words and, more importantly, act it out in our
lives.
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