Part of the Lenten journey involves reconciliation with God and with our neighbor. Parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston are "keeping the light on" every Wednesday evening from 6:30-8:30 pm to make the Sacrament of Reconciliation available to all who seek it. The prophet Ezekiel reminds us: "Thus says the Lord God:/ If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed, / if he keeps all my statues, and does what is right and just,/ he shall surely live, he shall not die." (Ezek. 18:21). Jesus reminds us that turning away from sin is not simply a matter of words, but of action: "Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar and there recall that your brother has anying against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with him and then come and offer your gift." (Mt 5: 23-24). This makes sense, for how can our house be at rest if there are lingering feelings of resentment, anger, dislike, perhaps, even hatred, in its recesses? If we wish our house to be completely at rest, we must sweep it totally clean. We all know that house cleaning takes time, effort, sweat, patience, and determination. We are faced with the choice of "throwing things out", or just dusting them off and putting them back? If we are serious about a clean house, it seems that we must make the valiant move of eliminating that which clutters or is unwanted. So too with the "house" of our soul. Lent is for cleaning, for renewal. Lord, please give me the grace and courage to put my house at rest. Amen.
Bro. Rene
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