Last night at home I noticed a small piece of paper that had fallen to the floor. As I reached down for the paper, I grabbed it quickly, ready to crumple it and throw it into the wastebasket. But, suddenly, I recognized the simple paper type and type of letters on it. And, so I stopped and read the words from the prophet Ezekiel: "I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you."
Just five days into Lent, with the words from Ash Wednesday, “Repent and believe in the gospel” and "Remember you are dust and unto dust, you shall return" still echoing in our minds, we hear Jesus’ parable of the sheep and the goats, reminding us that one day we will face a final judgment, not by our politicians, bosses, or even family and friends, but by God.
Every year, during Lent, we’re given a life-giving reminder that the seemingly ordinary decisions we make each day add up to where we will spend eternity. As a priest who hears Confessions and a son of God who goes to Confession, I think it’s safe to say that in our present time, we need to take time to prayerfully read and reflect on today’s gospel of Matthew and the reading from Leviticus, for they are God’s standards that He is calling us to live in this life.
Whether it’s feeding the hungry or giving drink to the thirsty, providing clothing or shelter or welcome for strangers, caring for the ill, or visiting the imprisoned--this is the life that God calls us to as His followers. These are the actions of charity that are meant to not only help those in need but to transform our hearts to become more and more like God’s.
We can sometimes feel listless and even discouraged about our current situations. We can wish that we had an upbeat spirit. By celebrating this Mass and opening your hearts to God’s Word, we’re allowing God to show us where we need to grow; whether it is what we do or what we shouldn’t do, for example, not putting stumbling blocks in front of those who are vulnerable for any reason; just that alone can make such a big difference.
You know, that piece of paper that I found fell out of a package from Mike Lindell of My Pillow fame. Like many, he struggled with drug addiction for many years before he allowed God’s Word to change his life. When I hear stories like his and see how God speaks to us in big and small ways, like a small piece of paper, with a powerful message, I’m reminded of how much God wants to give us a new heart, with right desires, and a new spirit that leads to Heaven.
May God bless you and your families this holy day as we seek to let God change our hearts and give us a new spirit this Lent!
