Some people are born beautiful and good like Glinda. Some are born “green” and misunderstood like Elphaba. Some are born ordinary and have turned wicked like the Wizard of Oz. (For the clueless, I’m referring to the movie with the same title as this reflection.) 

There are times when I feel I was born both “green” and wicked. Once, a misunderstanding arose when I failed to control a wrong behavior. Worse, my misconduct enabled others to do the same. Then someone close pointed out the wrong I did. The discussion even brought on a relationship crisis. It was like having a bucket of cold water poured on me. 

What saved the situation was when I accepted my mistake and worked more consciously to correct my behavior. I still struggle with that wickedness but holding myself accountable, I feel, has turned my green to the lighter shade of chartreuse. And best of all, it also mended my relationships. 

Lella M. Santiago (lellams88@gmail.com)

reflect

“Turn from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14)

Help me, Lord, when I am weak and I struggle to do the right thing.

St. Anne Line, pray for us.

God is merciful. If we repent of our sins, He will always forgive us. However, if we turn away from Him, we will be condemned. It is only through God that we can be saved. Ezekiel calls on the people to repent of their sins and encourages them to trust God who always forgives a repentant sinner. 

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 someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die. ²⁷ But if the 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 which 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 like the Pharisees, it is not enough to know what is right; we also have to do what is right. We need to live out our faith for us to become the powerful witness God desires. Faith is not about doctrines and laws; it is about having a relationship with the Holy Trinity. We will flourish as human beings when we have a living relationship with God.

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 1 PETER 1 - 5 today.

When Lent comes around, the first thing many of us ask is, “What will I give up?” But Lent is not just about giving up chocolate or social media—it is all about giving up sin and letting go of anything that separates us from God. The First Reading reminds us of the powerful impact of true repentance: no matter how far someone has strayed, God rejoices when he/she returns to Him. He does not take pleasure in punishment, but in restoration.

We are called to keep choosing God every day. Turning away from sin is not something we do for just 40 days—it is meant to be a lasting change. Even those who have lived far from God can be saved if they truly repent and remain faithful to that change.

The problem, as we see in the Gospel, is that we are not just talking about “big” sins. Even things that seem “little” can take us away from God and His mercy. Jesus says that even anger toward our brother or sister can already take us away from God. He forbids even the slightest anger or insult—such as calling someone a “fool” or “idiot”—as these already warrant a harsh penalty. Don’t we have an expression, “If looks can kill”? On TikTok, you’ll hear things like “Bombastic side-eye! Criminal-offensive side-eye!” All are playful ways of calling out someone or something that seems off or questionable. Are not our words also capable of killing and hurting others? That is why we need to be mindful not to let our emotions—especially anger—take control of us.

In conclusion, Lent is not just about sacrificing material things; it’s a call to let go of the negative attitudes, habits, and distractions that hinder our relationship with God, allowing us to grow closer to Him through repentance and renewal. 

Fr. Ricky Montañez, AA

reflection question

How can you move beyond the outward sacrifices of Lent and focus on addressing the attitudes and emotions that truly separate you from God?

Lord, help me to let go of anger and negativity in my heart, and draw me closer to You. Amen.

Today, I pray for: _______________________________________