Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
(Sirach 35:1-12; Mark 10:28-31)
The phrase “giving up” in today’s gospel reminds one that tomorrow
is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.
Christians will be giving up some of the pleasures of life for the sake
of Jesus and the for the gospel. Is this
still good practice?
For years some preachers have recommended not to give up
anything for Lent but to enter the spirit of the season with a commitment to “do
something positive.” It seems that they have the issue
half-right. Christians should strive to
help others during Lent. But self-denial
complements charity in Jesus’ call to promote him and the gospel.
“Giving up” something for the sake of the other is a
heartful expression of love. We might
say that we love another, but giving up a meal while acknowledging the other more
forcefully shows that love. Jesus is not
with us in person so that we might do something unambiguously for him. Nevertheless, we recognize his spiritual
presence by denying ourselves a pleasure for his sake. And if others should hear of it, will they
not ask themselves what in the gospel makes us do so?
