What is our priority? That is the overall theme of our readings today. And it is a good theme for us to contemplate on our Lenten journey. The two men that Jeremiah contrasts are very apt descriptions in our modern world as well. We can trust in material things and worldly success, in power, strength, and might, in self-sufficiency and pride. Or we can trust in the Lord and in the values of the Gospel. The rich man in the Gospel also trusted in the values of the world and did not think about charity and service. Lazarus was at his doorstep, but he was virtually invisible to the rich man. Charity and helping others were not his priorities. Perhaps it is the same with out Lenten journey. Some just think about giving something up for Lent, doing their duty, and that is it. And if giving up drinking cokes or playing video games or eating chocolate is truly a sacrifice and something that normally had priority in our lives, then doing so is truly a Lenten disciples. But we should not do so blindly and resolutely without reflection and prayer about it. It is not about showing God how strong we are. It needs to be about conversion and renewal. But the true grace of Lent is not just giving up cokes or chocolate, but rather in allowing God’s grace transform our lives to make us truly free to live as disciples of Christ. And rather than blindly going back to eating chocolate or drinking cokes at the end of forty days, we might want to reflect upon how God is inviting us to change during these days of Lent, if there is something deeper God is stirring within us. Are we comfortable with what we see in our lives, in the movements of the heart that are going on? Or do we need to look deep at our choices? Are repentance and conversion during these 40 days a priority for us, or just another task we check off our list?
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