Dear Friends in Christ,
Last week at Mass, I noted the cards in the pews which provide parishioners with tips to follow so that we can be more welcoming and helpful to newcomers to our parish. Some of these tips may seem like common sense but, if we follow them, we will help others to feel our friendliness and concern. As Lent begins this Wednesday, let us consider that making an effort to warmly welcome newcomers is an essential part of growing in the Lord, both for us and the others we welcome.
In this Sunday’s gospel, a leper comes to Jesus and begs Him to heal him. In his sick condition, the leper was ostracized and prevented from participating in the life of the community. When Jesus healed the leper, he not only took care of His physical condition. Jesus, in effect, gave
him a new life.
Sadly, the leper was ungrateful and disobedient to Jesus after he received his life-altering miracle. Jesus healed many people but not all expressed thanksgiving to Him in return for His love. Some, like the leper, also were directly disobedient to His instructions, seemingly thumbing their noses at the Lord. Simply put, they had gotten what they wanted and when they had they returned to their former way of life which did not include faith in Jesus.
How did Jesus respond to this ingratitude, disobedience and selfishness? He kept going in ministry, offering God’s love and mercy to new people and caring for those on the margins of society. In His prayer, Jesus prayed for those who followed Him that they might continue His mission inhope and faith. I also believe He frequently prayed for those who did not love Him in return, asking God to save them and make them ready for eternal life.
Lent is a time for us to offer to Jesus our gratitude, love and care anew. Through our increased prayer, works of self-denial and showing charity to the needy, we express this to the Lord.
In Christ,
Fr. Michael