Today is March 26, Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent.
At today’s Mass, we hear: “Whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:19).
God chooses us as his sons and daughters. Even before we come to the waters of baptism or into the confessional, God is at work in our lives and drawing us to himself. But according to his wisdom, he desires that other people should be involved in our salvation. He leaves it to others to teach us the truths about God and how to live as his sons and daughters.
Unfortunately, this does not always work out the way it should. A failure on others to teach us about the commandments of God is a failure of human weakness, not of the divine plan. But Jesus’s words remain: Pass on what you have learned. Or, as we hear in the first reading:
“Take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children’s children” (Dt 4:9).
A time of experience and learning
Lent is a wonderful time to take stock of the work of God in our lives. What have we learned from our own encounter with Jesus Christ? What do we still need to learn? What have you forgotten and need to remember or remember and should never forget?
Experience is a great teacher and we have all experienced the grace of Jesus Christ in one way or another. But there is always more to learn. Perhaps opening the Bible with a commentary, picking up a spiritual book, thinking about the life of Christ or talking with a knowledgeable friend about the faith will open up new insights into God working in your life.
Then, we learn more about the purpose of God in our lives and how to live according to his plan for us. In turn, we can teach others the commandments, both in principle and from experience, and seek greatness in the kingdom of God.
Let us pray,
Grant, we pray, O Lord, that, schooled through Lenten observance and nourished by your word, through holy restraint we may be devoted to you with all our heart and be ever united in prayer. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
