Reflection for Saturday of the First Week of Lent
There is a famous line by Tertullian, the second-century theologian and historian, in defense of the persecuted Church. He quotes witnesses of his day looking at Christians and saying: “Look at those Christians, see how they love one another!”
That was a powerful counter-cultural observation when Christians were a tiny minority in a largely pagan society. We can wonder: would that comment apply today? We can point to a worldwide network of hospitals, schools, and churches with the title of Christian. However, Christian history through the centuries would show periods and events in which that ancient remark would not be accurate. In fact, in some instances, it became a sarcastic comment.
Our Gospel reading today makes us cringe. Jesus sets the high standard that those who would be his followers are not only to love one another but also their neighbors and even their enemies. We are painfully aware of our sinfulness. It comes from the weakness of our human nature and our loss of spiritual vision. When Jesus gives us this high standard, we can do two things. We might dismiss it as an unrealistic goal, a goal that no one has ever achieved except rarely. Or, we can seriously look at our personal lives and decide that serious changes must be made.
If we choose the route of conversion, and decide to do it on our own, we can soon expect to fail with no significant change and a loss of motivation. Beginning with change is the wrong starting point. We must turn to our relationship with Jesus, who gives us our identity, our agenda, and the power to do more.
The power to do more is loving those who persecute us, loving the marginal stranger, respecting the person different from us. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. We have to become a willing instrument of the Holy Spirit. It means allowing our baptism in the Spirit of the Risen Christ to function openly. The early Christians didn’t hide their baptism. They let it show!
Imagine if we were led by the Spirit to do that today – the world would again experience the More!
This Lent is a good time to let it happen – again!
Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB
Posted in Daily Reflections, Lenten Resources