March 18, 2025 - Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent

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

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us to do and to observe all the things that the scribes and Pharisees tell us to do, but not to follow their examples. The reason: they preach but they do not practice. When reflecting on today’s Gospel, I cannot help but think of the words of Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta, when she said, “Love is doing small things with great love.” This is the invitation God presents to you and me as we go deeper in our Lenten journey - to understand that we are all capable of loving and following the will of God.

To do good and to love is inherent in our being because we are created in the image and likeness of God. It is not wrong to follow authority, but in following them we must not forget that we need to follow the will of God first and foremost. The world sometimes wants us to believe and do things contrary to the will of God, but it is our vocation to be holy as He is holy.  

The first reading today reminds us to put away our misdeeds, cease doing evil, and learn to do good. God also wants us to make justice our aim, redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, and defend the widow. It seems overwhelming to act upon and do the will of God, but we always have the Holy Spirit with us to encourage and support us in our journey towards our heavenly homeland.

Jesus, in doing the will of the Father, felt exhaustion, hunger, and He was tormented with the sufferings and mockery of the people who did not believe in Him. Despite all of this, He obediently followed the Will of the Father. When Jesus was afraid, hungry, and tempted, He simply prayed and spoke with God in the silence of His heart. You and I can always do the same as we walk together in our Lenten journey. To know and understand this, first we must recognize that we are all capable of doing good. Second, we are able to accomplish our mission here on earth because of the guidance and the support of the Holy Spirit. Finally, God is always dwelling in the silence of our hearts. May you and I experience the consoling and saving power of God in this Season of Lent.  

Guard your Church, we pray, O Lord, in your unceasing mercy, and, since without you mortal humanity is sure to fall, may we be kept by your constant helps from all harm and directed to all that brings salvation. 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)

Deacon Jerome Ocampo, Diocese of Metuchen

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