Friday, March 21, 2014

Reflection for Friday, March 21, 2014

FRIDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT


Harming someone may not always result in physical pain. Many people get caught up in major traumatic events and forget to notice the everyday occurrences that derail societies. Lent, however, reminds us to take a step back and examine the daily interactions and routines of our life. Mental harm may be just as, if not more, detrimental to a person as physical harm. Often times, we carry out an action even though in our hearts we know God would not approve. It is easy to tell white lies since they appear to be less harmful than an actual lie. Joseph’s brothers sold Joseph into slavery because they saw it as less harmful and wrong than outright killing him. Why should they fire the bullet when they can have someone else do their dirty deed? Have you ever found yourself stuck in a sticky situation as this? (Aiding a harmful action without directly making it occur.) Lent reminds us that even though our actions may not directly bring about physical or mental harm, we must take into account all the current and future consequences that could result from our wrongdoing. I like to think of actions as a pebble hitting the water. Though the initial impact of the pebble may only span a few inches, the momentum of the pebble’s contact spreads immediately as ripples through the rest of the water. No matter how small an action may be, its impact is endless.

Many wrongdoings are a result of our jealously. Like most people, I find myself being jealous of others’ success, happiness, and possessions. But, jealously will only lead to my demise. We live in a world where bigger is emphasized as better: bigger houses, fancier cars, more money, better bodies, better jobs…However, when focusing on the objects we lack or want, we loose site of the riches we already posses. Everyone is blessed in his or her own way. Lent offers us a time to reflect on the blessings we currently have. Not all blessings will be evident at first. You may over look the tender hug you received from a friend or the warm smile shared by a stranger, but all blessings matter, big or small. Joseph’s brothers got caught up in the favoritism their father showed towards Joseph that they forgot to cherish the love their father had for them. By having food on the dinner table, a place to sleep, and clothes to keep them warm, they were already extremely fortunate. Even when we feel that we have lost everything, we must never forget that we still have the one thing that means the most: God’s love.

The overall theme I would like you to contemplate is the following: the little things matter. Pope Francis’ Lenten message is “He became poor so, that by His poverty you might become rich.” By consciously reflecting on the impact of our everyday actions and remembering our many blessings, we too will become rich, as the Lord has promised. We will be rich in the sense of an enriched spirit, humble thoughts, and compassionate actions.


Emma Dwyer is a junior studying Biology.

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