March 28, 2025 - Friday of the Third Week of Lent

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

I did not want to write a reflection on today’s readings. With 25 other writers on the schedule contributing to these daily reflections, surely, someone else would have something better to say on this topic than I. Has it not all been said before? What could I write that would be worth reading? Then, someone reminded me that while I do not have anything new to say about these ancient words, we all need to hear these words again because of their importance, and our fallen nature.  

In the first reading (Hosea 14:2-10), the prophet Hosea announces the Lord’s forgiveness to the people of Israel—that the Lord will love them freely. Hosea proclaimed, “Straight are the paths of the Lord, in them the just walk, but sinners stumble in them” (Hosea 14:9). We, as sinners, stumble often. Then, we hear Jesus proclaim that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord will all our heart, understanding, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:33). These simple words hold immense meaning and value. We have all heard them time and time again, yet we still stumble. Thus, we must be reminded once again. 

Love sounds…. nice. It sounds easy and fun and gives rise to those “fluffy feelings.” However, Saint Thomas Aquinas tells us that to love is to will the good of another. When I was young, my parents taught me that love is a decision; it is a verb, not a noun. We choose to love one another. Like learning the hard lesson as I mature that my parents have been right all along, Jesus’ words cut to the core every time I hear them.  

How well do we carry out this commandment? I am sure that we can all think of times for which we can commend ourselves for our great love of both God and neighbor. At the same time, a few people we would like to see work on how well they love both God and neighbor may come to mind. More importantly, we can all think of ways in which we can improve our love of God and neighbor, because we are sinners who stumble in the ways of the Lord.  

We begin this new day filled with new opportunities to choose to love God and to choose to love our neighbor as ourselves, as pillars of hospitality. Hospitality need not be limited to a home or even a physical building; hospitality exists in our hearts in choosing to listen to a friend or choosing to spend additional time in prayer. No matter our stumbles in this regard, the Lord will forgive us freely with open arms, opening the door of mercy. He will ensure we hear these commands until we finally follow perfectly in Heaven. 

Pour your grace into our hearts, we pray, O Lord, that we may be constantly drawn away from unruly desires and obey by your own gift the heavenly teaching you give us. 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)

Katherine Lizzo, Coordinator of Student & Administrative Support Services

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