Monday of the Third Week of Lent
(II Kings 5:1-5ab; Luke 4:24-30)
It may seem odd, but Jesus is speaking to us when he preaches
repentance. We know that it is a vital
message for drug dealers, Internet trawlers, and the porn industry. But we may not think that it applies to
ordinary sinners like you and me. After all,
our contempt, lustful suspicions, dismissive remarks, and slothful habits don’t
do much harm, do they?
In today’s gospel when Jesus does not perform a wonderwork
for his compatriots of Nazareth, they show no interest in his call to
reform. He tries to open their eyes with
stories of the prophets of old. Still
they pay him no heed. He warns that rejection
will cause him to reach out to others as did Elijah and Elisha. Jesus’ scenario will be realized after his death
and resurrection. Having been mostly spurned
by the Jewish nation, Jesus’ apostles will turn to Gentiles with his
message.
Hopefully, we are doing better than the Nazoreans in
listening to Jesus. Heeding his call to
reform this Lent, we look for the good in others, pray to keep our chastity, and
get on top of our work. Lent was not
meant to be easy, but the struggle will bring us closer to the One near whom we
want to be.
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