The phrase, “Come let us set things right” in today’s readings, caused me to wonder, what is it in our lives that needs to be addressed this Lent, what needs to be set right?
In our first reading, God speaks strongly to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, telling them to “wash themselves clean and put away their misdeeds … to cease doing evil.”
What needs to be washed clean in our lives? What misdeeds or even temptations do we need to put away? At times, it’s our criticism of others, our preoccupation with others' wealth or possessions, our abuse of alcohol or drugs, or our misuse of our phones and tablets, to name a few.
God goes on to encourage sinners to learn to be good so that no matter how vivid our sins are, our souls may be washed as clean as the white of snow or wool. What a great image of purity!
Especially during Lent, we are reminded to examine our consciences each day and, when in mortal sin, to go to Confession and stop sinning. But there’s even more to setting things right.
God also reminds us to strive after justice, make amends for any wrong we’ve done, and attend to widows and orphans. This second part of “setting things right” is the acknowledgment that we, as Christians, are called to help fix things that both man and the human condition have caused.
This includes looking at those around us who are in need. Yes, there are orphans and widows to help and defend. But there are also people who are struggling with mental or physical illness and loneliness.
There are people who have trouble making friends or being friends due to past experiences and present circumstances. These are the people who, on the first or second try, aren’t easy to be with, but God is calling us to do our best to help.
“Setting things right” involves a conversion of heart and mind that leads to following Jesus more closely in every part of our lives, not just the ones we like working on, but also the hard ones.
Being a Christian is a full-time job and way of life. This Lent, though it might seem like we’re not making spiritual progress as quickly as we’d like, what Jesus wants is our full trust in Him, our full desire and effort, because He can work with what we give Him, even if it is over and over again!
He wants us to not only hear and believe what He’s saying, but to do something about it. So, what is it that needs to be set right?
As a friend of mine has often said about his house, there’s always something to work on. I think the same can be said for our souls, too!
May God bless you and your families this holy day, and let’s set things right—with God’s grace—beginning in our families!
Reverend David S. Marcham is the Vice Postulator for the Cause of Venerable Patrick Peyton, and Director of the Father Peyton Guild, whose members pray for Father Peyton’s beatification and spread his message of the importance of Family Prayer. Prior to becoming a seminarian, Father David was a physical therapist and clinical instructor, serving hospital inpatients and outpatients throughout the greater Boston area for eleven years. In 1998 he heard the call to priesthood and was ordained in the Archdiocese of Boston in 2005. Father David grew up in Quincy, MA, and has fond memories of playing soccer, tennis and running track. You’re never without a friend when Father David is around, as he welcomes everyone into his circle with a smile on his face!
