Parish of St. Edward the Confessor Daily Lenten/Easter Reflections


lent
February 26, 2008

By

Fran Szpylczyn


lent

Reading 1
Psalm
Gospel

Text of Reflection:  
February 26, 2008

Our first reading is from Daniel and what a reading it is… The three young men in the fiery furnace, how I love this reading.
 
It is the ultimate act of faith when Azariah prays aloud, invoking Abraham and Isaac, crying out for mercy and praising the Lord God.
 
“For your name’s sake, O Lord, do not deliver us up forever,
or make void your covenant.
Do not take away your mercy from us,
for the sake of Abraham, your beloved,
Isaac your servant, and Israel your holy one,
 
Azariah says something vitally important when he cries out to God:
 
We have in our day no prince, prophet, or leader,
no burnt offering, sacrifice, oblation, or incense,
no place to offer first fruits, to find favor with you.
But with contrite heart and humble spirit
let us be received;
 
First Azariah speaks to the longing and the waiting for a messianic figure, the cry for deliverance that only Jesus can bring.  Then, having nothing to offer but a contrite heart and humble spirit, we are open to God in a special way. 
 
Once again, faith, humility and complete dependence upon God are ways in which we are transformed.  Which also opens us up to recognize the Savior when He comes.
 
Our Gospel for today brings forth further transformation in regard to forgiveness.
 
Peter approached Jesus and asked him,
“Lord, if my brother sins against me,
how often must I forgive him?
As many as seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.
 
These words are so hard for me to follow, even when I have the best intentions.  Is it that way for you too? I can only speak about my own half-hearted attempts to follow these instructions… My heart wants to be open, contrite and humble, but my wounds often get in the way and I resist.
 
It is called defensiveness for a reason. And when God is reaching to me, there should be nothing I need to defend. And so often God is reaching to me through those very others whom I may avoid or reject. This forgiveness is very hard work.
 
And it is no easier to receive the forgiveness, at least not for me.
 
Yet this Lenten season, as we approach the death that must precede new life, I find it is more imperative than ever to forgive. And to be forgiven and then continue the flow of that forgiveness and reconciliation, the same one that has so generously been given to me.