Monday of the First Week of Lent

Lent calls us to turn to God, and in doing so, also turn to others, especially those in need. That is why one of the paths of Lent is alms-giving – acts of compassion. The readings indicate our motives for treading this path of compassion. First of all, as the First Reading intimates, it is the command of God. Second, as the Gospel unequivocally puts forth, by these acts, or our neglect of them, we shall be judged.

Although these are noteworthy motives, they are not enough. Alms-giving, acts of compassion hopefully, will spring from a heart that loves God and sees God in the needy. Hopefully, our alms-giving, our acts of compassion, our pursuit of the good and true and rejection of evil and false will not simply be motivated by a desire for the joys of heaven and a fear of the pains of the eternal fires of hell, but be motivated by our love of God who has loved us first.

The truth is, we ourselves were once (and continue to be!) the hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, homeless, and imprisoned who have been loved by God. To us, hungry for food that satisfies fully, Jesus gives us himself in the Eucharist. To us, thirsty for the truly life-giving water, Jesus gives us the saving waters of baptism. We, naked in our helplessness to free ourselves from the shame of sin, are clothed by Jesus with his righteousness that we may stand before God with confidence. To us, homeless with the loss of paradise, Jesus opened the gates of the Father’s house where there are many mansions, and in which Jesus prepared a place for us. To us, sick because of sin, Jesus offers us the healing balm of forgiveness. Enslaved and imprisoned by our wrongful choices and bad habits, and constantly tormented and tempted by the evil one, Jesus offers the freedom of the children of God.

We have been loved first. Now it is our turn to acknowledge God’s goodness by loving him in others. “Caritas Christi urget nos.” (2 Cor. 5:14)

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A prayer by St. Francis Xavier may help us reflect on today's message.

O God I Love you,
not simply to be saved,
and not because those who fail in love to you
will be punished with eternal fire.

You, you, my JESUS, have all-embraced me on the cross.
You have borne the nails, the lance, much ignominy,
numberless griefs, sweating and anguish, and death,
and these on account of me and for me, a sinner.

Why therefore, should I not love you,
O, most loving JESUS?
Not that in heaven you shall save me,
nor lest for eternity you shall condemn me;
not with the hope of any reward,
but as you have loved me, so also will I love you,
only because you are my King,
and because you are my God.

This has been put to song in Filipino by Fr. Manoling Francisco. Translation was made by another Jesuit, Fr. Albert Alejo, SJ. Here is the link: Pagkabighani.

Have a holy Lent.