1st Week of Lent 2023 - Monday - Getting serious about charity

 At the election of a new Pope, the Cardinals of the Church gather in the Sistine Chapel whose walls and ceilings are adorned with some of the most beautiful frescos in the world—painted by the Italian Renaissance master Michelangelo in the late 1530s.  After serious prayer, the Cardinals make procession the altar to cast their vote for the new Supreme Pontiff of the Holy Church of God. Above that altar is the scene we just heard in the Gospel—a depiction of the Second Coming of Christ and the final and eternal judgment by God of all humanity, Michelangelo’s “The Last Judgment”.

That biblical image certainly adds to the solemnity and seriousness of their responsibility--and that their vote must not be motivated by selfishness or ambition, for they will face Christ as Judge on that final day, and will have to answer for the choices they made.

Holy Mother Church presents us with this scene of the Last Judgment on this Monday of the first full week of Lent.  

We, in a sense, as we are making our procession through Lent, do well to keep that image in mind. The choices in the life matter and we will be judged for them. How we use the time given to us in Lent matters and will effect the choices for which we will be judged. 

How will we make use of the time we have been given? Will we repent? Are we motivated by laziness or authentic desire for conversion? Will we seek to become a saint this Lent, or be happy with remaining a sinner?

What separates the saints from the sinners in today’s Gospel? How each treated his fellow man while on earth. Rather than just looking out for ourselves, like the goats in the Gospel, we are to look to the needs of others and help them as we can. 

Mother Theresa said it succinctly: “At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by "I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.”

“What the Christian should be doing at all times should be done now [during the season of Lent] with greater care and devotion.” May we be generous, intentional, and serious this Lent in our works of charity, giving of our time, talent, and treasure for those in need of it for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For the needs of the poor, the hungry, the homeless, those who are sick, unemployed, or suffering from addiction, mental, or physical illness, imprisoned, and those most in need: that the Lord in his goodness will be close to them in their trials.  We pray to the Lord.

For mercy for the most vulnerable of our human family, the unborn; that their mothers may choose life and be supported by a culture of life. 

For the young people of our Church. May they be strengthened to be witnesses to the Gospel of mercy and work for a future that embodies a genuine culture of mercy.

For those preparing to enter the Church at Easter: that they will be profoundly blessed in their preparation for full initiation into the Body of Christ.  We pray to the Lord.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all the poor souls in purgatory, and N. for whom this Mass is offered.

Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy. Through Christ Our Lord.