2nd Week of Lent 2024 - Tuesday - Repentance and Inner Transformation

 

Throughout the season of Lent, the Church's liturgy resounds with God’s call for sinners to repent. And this morning we read from the powerful first chapter of the prophet Isaiah. 

Isaiah chapter 1 is set during a time of great turmoil and moral decay in the Kingdom of Judah. This period was marked by political instability, social injustice, and religious idolatry—some cultural similarities perhaps, to our own day.

The chapter begins with God's accusation against the people of Judah. They are described as rebellious children who have forsaken the Lord and turned away from Him, which has resulted in the moral decay and corruption of society.

Despite the harsh accusations, the chapter also contains the call to repentance. God invites the people to "wash and make themselves clean" and to turn away from their evil deeds. God is willing to forgive and restore his people, if they genuinely repent.

Another theme of that first chapter is to turn away from empty religious ritual to a true worship of God that is demonstrated through truly just and righteous works, such as defending the oppressed and caring for the widow and the orphan. 

This theme is continued in the Gospel today, where the Lord Jesus condemns the pharisees for their empty, hypocritical religious leadership. Their idea of religion was a bunch of empty show—lip service, fine garments, seats of power. But they neglected that God desires not empty show, but the transformation of hearts which is demonstrated in genuine care for people in need. 

In a sense, the Pharisees rejected our deepest need, our need for a savior, the need for inner transformation that can only come through humility. 

In order to not be condemned like the Pharisees, we must learn and practice humility before God. We must acknowledge our sins and our need for a savior, we must identify those parts of our lives where we have refused conformity to the heart of Christ, where we have resisted his truth and goodness.

God’s desire to save us must be met by our cooperation with his saving will—through humble repentance, right worship, detachment from sin and selfishness, and charity toward those we are able to help, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. 

- - - -  

For the whole Christian people, that in this sacred Lenten season, they may be more abundantly nourished by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

For the whole world, that in lasting tranquility and peace our days may truly become the acceptable time of grace and salvation.

For sinners and those who neglect right religion, that in this time of reconciliation they may return wholeheartedly to Christ. And that tomorrow's Evening of Confession may be a time of profound mercy and renewal for our parish and Diocese.

For ourselves, that God may at last stir up in our hearts aversion for our sins and conviction for the Gospel.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. 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.