March 14, 2025 - Friday of the First Week of Lent

Artist Sister Mary of the Compassion, OP (1908-1977)

Just as to His original disciples, the Lord Jesus calls us today to a more abundant holiness than the scribes and Pharisees.  When we remember that they were known as the committed religious people of Jesus’ day, that can sound like a tall order – because it is… 

Why is it so tough? Probably because Jesus knows our (fallen) human nature. “A body at rest tends to stay at rest.” (Mine especially!) Jesus knows that we naturally try to get away with the minimum possible and then feel proud of ourselves when we do. And what Jesus reminds you and me today is that our love relationship with God and our neighbor can never, ever be just the minimum. Our discipleship, our conversion, our change of heart, has got to be total to be authentic. How do we do that? 

On the most basic, beginning level, discipleship concentrates on behavior – on what we do and say – a very important starting point. But the ‘critical mass’ of discipleship takes place not at the level of our behavior, but of our attitudes, the very area Jesus speaks about in the Gospel. Our attitudes matter. We all know that anger and resentments do not remain in our hearts and minds.  Eventually they find expression and if left alone, they even snowball or metastasize. So, Jesus’ practical advice for you and for me is to nip things in the bud before the momentum gets out of hand. That is why Christ calls us to examine our inner life, the secret world of our judgments and attitudes, loves & hates.  

We need to think about what we are thinking about and become intentional about what we let into our minds and what we nurture there. Jesus reminds us that, while there are many things in life we cannot control, this inner life we can – even if it is a domain that might be in need a re-conquest. Lent is an ideal time for you and me to begin doing exactly that.  

Grant that your faithful, O Lord, we pray, may be so conformed to the paschal observances that the bodily discipline now solemnly begun may bear fruit in the souls of all. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. (Roman Missal)

Rev. Christopher Ciccarino, Associate Dean for Seminary and Academic Studies and Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies

Do you know someone who may be interested in receiving our daily reflection emails? Invite them to sign up by visiting our subscription page.