forgive others this Lent

Homily
Tuesday of the 1st Week of Lent
15 March 2011
St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center at the University of Kansas
Daily Readings

JMJ AMDG +m

The final line of today's Gospel reminds us that Lent in the end cannot be only a self-improvement project. Jesus gives immediate emphasis to the prayer he has just taught the disciples, by repeating the need to forgive others. In a word both exciting and frightening, Jesus reminds us that God will allow us to measure ourselves, with the measure we use on others. If our repentance this Lent does not end with a greater forgiveness of others, then our fasting, prayer and almsgiving is in vain.

On the Friday after Ash Wednesday, the prophet Isaiah said plainly that it is not enough to don sackcloth and ashes when we fast, which is an exterior sign only; no, the kind of fast the Lord desires is to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke that binds people, including our own unforgiveness. Isaiah predicts what happens to most of us during Lent - we are eager to don sackcloth and ashes, but we end up in our own pursuits, and few of our relationships change from the inside out through sincere forgiveness.

St. Paul asked us to remember on Ash Wednesday that we are ambassadors for Christ; God, as it were, appealing through us. He asked us not to receive the grace of God in vain, but to use it and to show that this Lent we are engaging not just in a baptism of repentance, but are renewing our baptism in the Holy Spirit and with fire. It is important for us not to use Lent to be only concerned about our own salvation. No, the grace of confirmation must be stirred in us so that Lent is not so much about ourselves but is about how we love others, how we forgive them, how we serve them, how we build God's kingdom. To this end, may we today stir up the grace of the Holy Eucharist, and not dare to approach this sacred mystery unless we have heeded God's command to forgive each of our brothers from the heart.

JMJ AMDJ +m

For the Church, that our almsgiving may be a sincere sign of our repentance and our willingness to forgive others, we pray

For the world, for relief in mind, body and spirit for all those suffering from natural disasters, and for the safety of all those trying to help, we pray

For the mission of the St. Lawrence Catholic Center at the University of Kansas, that we would find ways to effectively proclaim Christ's victory over sin and death to those who are sincerely looking for the meaning of life, we pray

For those for whom we have promised to pray, and those to whom we wish to offer the fruits of this Mass, including those in purgatory, and those who are lonely, sick and doubtful, we pray

Heavenly Father, we a deep trust in the love that flows from the heart of your Son, and by the gifts of your Holy Spirit, give to the seminarians, novices and all young people of the Archdiocese the courage to respond generously when you call them to the priesthood and religious life. Give them strong examples of holy priests and religious, and may they be helped by the intercession of the saints and by our prayers to pattern their lives after Mary, who was not afraid to let it be done to her according to your word. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.