When I was in the seminary, my personal motto was, “If you want to get things done, better do it yourself.” It’s an ironic mentality for a seminarian, but it’s true. Later on, I realized that this mindset was birthed from my obsessive compulsive nature. I wanted to do things the right and proper way—on my own. 

I was excessively doing what was necessary that it compromised my physical, mental, and emotional health. This behavior fed my ego to become the ideal seminarian. Soon, it dangerously led me to spiritual pride. I became judgmental of my fellow seminarians who didn’t meet my standards.

I forgot that I was a human being, first and foremost, loved by God, and not just a human “doing.” I was all about the rules and forgot about the heart of being a child of God. 

There’s nothing wrong with aspiring and achieving. But we also need to be compassionate and journey with others to be their best—just as Jesus did with His disciples. Tony P. Valenzuela (anthonyv1084@gmail.com)

reflect

Aside from fasting and abstinence, what is the Lord asking you to let go of, so you can be more compassionate and loving?

Lord, purify my heart and remove what is not of You. I receive Your overflowing mercy and undeserved grace. Use me to be an instrument of Your love to others in the world. 

Saint Mathilda, pray for us.

Ezekiel tells us that the faithful disciple will persevere to the end, and if he does not, then his salvation will be endangered. The other side of this coin is that if the unfaithful disciple repents and changes his ways, then he will be saved. God desires for all of us to be saved. However, we must learn to persevere in the gift of our salvation so we will not waste the graces God has given us.

²¹ Thus says the Lord God: If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely live, he shall not die. ²² None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him; he shall live because of the virtue he has practiced. ²³ Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked? says the Lord God. Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil way that he may live? ²⁴ And if the virtuous man turns from the path of virtue to do evil, the same kind of abominable things that the wicked man does, can he do this and still live? None of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered, because he has broken faith and committed sin; because of this, he shall die. ²⁵ You say, “The Lord’s way is not fair!” Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair? ²⁶ When a virtuous man turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die. ²⁷ But if a wicked,turning from the wickedness he has committed, does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life; ²⁸ since he has turned away from all the sins that he committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7, 7-8

R: If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?

¹ Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! ² Let your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication. (R) ³ If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand? ⁴ But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered. (R) ⁵ I trust in the Lord; my soul trusts in his word. ⁶ My soul waits for the Lord more than sentinels wait for the dawn. ⁷ Let Israel wait for the Lord. (R) For with the Lord is kindness and with him is plenteous redemption; ⁸ And he will redeem Israel from all their iniquities. (R)

^{Gospel | Matthew 5:20-26}

Jesus reminds us that making our lives look good from the outside or “surface conversion” is not enough to attain eternal life. The Gospel has to penetrate the depths of our inner life and transform us into the image and likeness of God. This is our destiny; this is what our life will be in heaven. Let us be faithful and allow God to continue the work He has begun in us. By His grace, may we all be found worthy on Judgement Day.

Gospel Acclamation

Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the Lord, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.

²⁰ Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. ²¹ “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. ²² But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. ²³ Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. ²⁵ Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. ²⁶ Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

Read the Bible in one year! Read GENESIS 10 - 12 today.

“Pwede na ’yan!” “Seventy-five lang naman ang kelangan ng gobyerno!” “Sixty percent mushroom naman ang burger patty kaya OK lang kainin kahit Friday!” “Alas-10 na naman nang gabi, pwede nang kumain ng barbecue!”

We like giving the bare minimum. Sometimes, we find a way to get around without even doing the minimum. We seem allergic to the demand of the “more,” especially during Lent. 

Today, Jesus confronts us about our minimalist approach and our aversion for the “more”: “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.” He explains how the law is more than its literal interpretation. There is, in fact, more to the “more.” The motivation behind the law is equally important.

Why do you comply with the law? Fear of hell? Fear of criticism? To get praised and accepted? These reasons can really make compliance to the law burdensome. That is why we only give the minimum. We cut corners. We do not even practice it when no one is looking. 

Why do you comply with the law? The more that is demanded is actually inferior to the “more” that is received (even prior to complying). Love. Life. John 3:16. The “more” that is asked of us now becomes an expression of gratitude rather than an obligation. And the more we give of ourselves, the more we experience love and life.

Our Lenten journey is really a journey of the “more.” What is this “more” that the Lord is inviting us during this season? The promise of the Lenten season is that, at the end of our giving more, we will receive even more than we have ever given—life to the full. Love Himself. Fr. Bros Flores, SJ

reflection question

What is the “more” that God is asking you during this Lenten season? 

Lord Jesus, may I be rooted in the “more” that You have always loved me with so that I will be willing to give the “more” that You are asking for. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ___________________________________