Living the Days of Lent 2009

My mother just purchased for me a nifty little book called Living the Days of Lent 2009: Insights from the Gospel.                                                                            

The book is a collection of daily reflections by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth and edited by Anita M. Constance, SC.

I'm a total sucker for daily reflections/prayers/meditations/affirmations or what have you. Love 'em! My plan is to post the reflection and readings every night for the following day. I've read through a few of them and some of the reflections are rather conservative (Catholic) for our family seeing as almost half of our contributors are Buddhists. So, I'll try to be conscious of reflections/readings that can be applied to all faiths (or non-faiths). 

Monday, March 2

Brothers and Sisters

"Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." Matthew 24:40

When did I encounter the hungry, the homeless, the imprisoned, the stranger--and not see them due to fear or selfishness? Sometimes, walking the streets of one of our major cities confronts me with so many opportunities for mercy. But I either blank out these people in need or turn away from them. I do not see myself as one among these brothers and sisters of mine.

No one is a stranger or illegal immigrant in this family of God. No one should be hungry, homeless, thirsty, medically untreated, when God has endowed the world with so much. I can't change the world by myself, but I can see the faced of Christ in everyone I meet, and do something each day to change a life near me...or even change myself.

These past few days, who revealed the face of Christ to me? Did I look into that face?

Readings: Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18; Psalm 19; Matthew 25:31-46