There was a sentence in the worship aid Magnificat that said, "Christ loves us because of who He is, not because of what we do." It was followed by another that said, "we do not earn Christ’s love by proving our goodness, nor do we lessen our love with our failures." Lent for many has been a time for introspection and seeking reconciliation.
Some find this introspection that Lent and reconciliation can bring to be painful, having to acknowledge our human weaknesses. But remember that Christ loves us because of who He is - and not because of what we do. His love for us is unconditional. We do not earn Christ’s love by proving our goodness, not do we lessen our love with our failures.
The Scriptures today speak of two men, Isaiah and Peter, who were loved by God - even as they admitted to their weaknesses and failures.
Isaiah spoke of his being called by God from his youth, and that it was God who named him. He acknowledged having feelings at times that his work was in vain and that he was a failure. Some of us admit to the same, however with God, no failure can lessen His love for us.
Isaiah became a light for his people, a bright light to the nations that would reach to the ends of the earth.
On Palm Sunday we heard Jesus tell one of His disciples to go to a neighboring village and untie a donkey, and should anyone ask you why you were doing this, simply say, "the master has need of it." The master has need of us today to reveal the light that is within us.
In that same gospel, we heard some Pharisees complain that disciples of Jesus were making too much noise, dancing and celebrating the arrival of Christ into Jerusalem.
They asked Jesus to rebuke his disciples to which Jesus replied, "I tell you if they keep silent, the stones will cry out." The Master needs us to give voice to His message of love, compassion, and mercy. The Master needs us to put our light on a lampstand for all to see.
In the gospel today we met both Peter and Judas. Christ loved them both. The light that Judas was, lost its brilliance. Not so with Peter. Although his light at times flickered and dimmed, we know that he would subsequently endure untold hardship and dangers, because His Master had need of Him, and Peter's faith was held strong in the end.
As we continue to engage the events of these holy days, consider asking the Master what need does He have of us today? What does God want you to do, in this reflective season of Lent?
