Title: Meditation: for Tuesday, February 26, 2002
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- Joachim
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The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, February 26, 2002
Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah l:10,16-20
Psalm 50:8-9,16-17,21,23
Matthew 23:1-12
A reflection on today's Scripture . . . .
Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled,
and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. (Matthew 23:12)
We often hear "Pride goeth before a fall." This phrase is a similar
reminder, but it is a reminder of a great deal more consequence.
Jesus reminds us that our actions have eternal consequences. If we
puff ourselves up here, we can expect to be the least in the kingdom
of Heaven. Or perhaps, even worse, miss heaven entirely.
Self-importance is deadly--eternally deadly. It is deadly because it
forces us to take our eyes off of Jesus. "For one only is your Master,
the Christ" (Mt 23:10). If we allow anything to usurp his place we
are dooming ourselves.
According to Milton, Satan's great sin was exactly this. He said to
God, "Better to Reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven." Our attitude
must be diametrically opposed, and even more than that. Better to
serve eternally and everywhere than to miss the chance to serve in
heaven.
Lent gives us that opportunity to reflect and turn around. If we
think a great deal of ourselves, perhaps a bit more prayer, a bit
more reading of scripture, a bit more fasting will help us come to
terms with ourselves. Perhaps we can change our haughtiness to
humility and emerge friends of Christ and servants of the one Master.
- JuandelaCruz T.O.Carm. ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
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