LV 19: 1-2, 11-18
PS 19: 8, 9, 10, 15
MT 25: 31-46
During this time of Lent, we are often reminded of the powerful spiritual healing of the sacrament of Penance. Some may ponder what should be shared in the confessional. What should I confess?
We need only to reflect on today’s first reading:
“You shall not steal.
You shall not lie or speak falsely to one another.
You shall not swear falsely by my name,
thus profaning the name of your God….
“You shall not act dishonestly in rendering judgment.
Show neither partiality to the weak nor deference to the mighty,
but judge your fellow men justly.
You shall not go about spreading slander among your kin;
nor shall you stand by idly when your neighbor’s life is at stake…
“You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart.
Though you may have to reprove him,
do not incur sin because of him.
Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen.
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Returning to these basics, the Ten Commandments, we will know what we need to confess. If we only see the image and likeness of God in every human being we would be most likely to treat others as we would wish to be treated.
Yes, we can give up chocolate for Lent, but how about offering of ourselves to those in need, donating to a worthy cause, or simply asking someone new or different to join us at lunch or to be part of our study group? By opening our eyes to others to really see those in need, we will be fulfilling our Lord’s very powerful message:
‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did
for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’
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