SUNDAY 21 FEBRUARY
Scripture: Luke 3: 20-41
Reflection
These forty days are a time of transfiguration when we attempt once again to walk in the light and let Jesus transform our lives.
We are called to life and the fullness of life, we are people who continually choose life.
However, many today choose a culture of death and reject a culture of life. In choosing the culture of death we feed ourselves with the things that destroy our lives, the toxins of drugs, alcohol, whoonga, pornography, hate, violence, racism and abuse.
Lent is therefore a time of detoxing our lives, opening our lives once again to be transformed by the love, light and mercy of Jesus.
We turn away from a culture of death and like the Apostles in the Gospel are transformed by the presence of Jesus. We allow ourselves to be detoxed by receiving the mercy and compassion of our God.
However, we need to make a choice for life and a decision to reject a culture of death.
There is a story of a donkey who was very hungry and he found himself between two haystacks of freshly cut hay. Both were pleasing to him but he could not make up his mind which haystack to eat. It’s a sad story because he couldn’t choose and eventually died of starvation. It can be our story if we fail to choose.
Pope Francis encourages us to choose life, he says:
“Fast from hurting words and say kind words
Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude
Fast from anger and be filled with patience
Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope
Fast from worries and trust in God
Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity
Fast from pressures and be prayerful
Fast from bitterness and full your heart with joy
Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others
Fast from grudges and be reconciled
Fast from words and be silent and listen”
“I have come that you have life and the fullness of life.”
Practical Suggestions
- Visit rehabilitation centres and families affected by alcohol and drug abuse;
- Visit an informal settlement to ascertain the needs of the people there.
- Prepare food for the needy, street people, retirement homes, etc.
Prayer
Lord Jesus help us to meet you in the affected, the needy, those who are hungry, naked and unloved. Help us to show your face of mercy and compassion to them. Amen.
+Bishop Barry Wood
ArchDiocese of Durban