40 Days of Seeking Him 2011 ~ Day 5

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With the time change overnight, Mr. O decided we should go to Mass Saturday night. I was a bit surprised as I know he is not a lover of the more contemporary music that prevails at that Mass. Although, for this particular Liturgy that choir did not do anything especially ‘modern’ sounding.

The Gospel reading this week is Matthew 4:1-11, where we hear about Christ’s temptation in the desert.  While the temptation he experienced was clearly coming from Satan, we need to be reminded that temptation comes at us from all directions.  Our pastor reflected that he likes to think of sin occurring when temptation and opportunity meet and we succumb.  

Sin also reflects a fulfillment of our selfish desires.  When I do commit a sin, who is it that benefits?  Me!

Think about how as a child we might have lied to cover up an offense.  Did the lie help our parents feel better?  Probably not.  But, it was said in an effort to protect ourselves from repercussions, either real or imagined. 

Even our culture makes it easy to sin without considering it.  How many of us have eyed up the latest and greatest electronic toy (e.g. the new iPad) and felt envy of our neighbor who bought one?  Or maybe we decided to stay home from church because it wasn’t what we wanted to do right then.

My mom just shared with me about a visiting Priest who told the congregation that they should return to their seats after receiving Communion.  He flat out called them on how their quick exit from Mass to shave off a few minutes of their time is sending a message of disrespect.  Besides, what is 5 minutes after already spending 45 minutes at Mass? I know that I could not receive Eucharist and then make a mad dash out the door. But, I have seen plenty that do just that. 

More than the reading from the Gospel, I love the second reading (Romans 5:12-19.)    Verse 19 states: “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man’s obedience many will be made righteous.”  And, so we are reminded that Christ came to free us all.  What an awesome gift, indeed!

As Little J was especially fitful during Mass, I could not take notes during the homily as I wished.  Beyond the comment he made about opportunity and temptation meeting, I remember his quote of a saint regarding the need to speak the truth.  I can’t recall which saint or the exact quote.  But, the gist is that while we should speak the truth, we do not always need to speak!  What a powerful concept and a way to avoid those occasions of sin when we tell a ‘white lie’ rather than just reserving comment.  (He shared that he has key phrases he’ll say when asked certain questions.  So, something horrendously ugly might be referred to as quite exotic by him.)