Saturday after Ash Wednesday
On Ash Wednesday, at the distribution of ashes, we hear “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”
Today we hear the call of Levi, the tax collector. He heard Jesus’ invitation: follow me. The gospel tells us, “leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him.”
This makes it all so very simple. He stood up, turned toward the lord, and left everything behind. Somehow our experiences of following the Lord are never so simple. Likely it’s the “leaving everything behind” that is most complicated. Metanoia, or conversion, is all about turning in a new direction. That is what answering a call is about, and that’s a good part of what we do during these days of Lent.
During these days, we have an opportunity to renew our conversion—to deepen it. We hear again the Lord’s call—I have come to call you to a change of heart. The call is still there, and we hope for new growth and further progress in following it.
Pope Francis once said: “there is no saint without a past, nor a sinner without a future.”
“The church is not a community of perfect people, but of disciples on a journey, who follow the Lord because they know they are sinners and in need of his pardon. Thus, the Christian life is a school of humility which opens us to grace.”
Reflection by Fr. Peter Ullrich, OSB
Posted in Articles for Lent, Lenten Resources