March 10
Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18
Matthew 25:31-46
From Deacon Norm Horstman:
When asked to do Lenten reflections I panicked. As this community knows, when I am in trouble
I cry out for help and the Lord helps. I
remembered that I am not alone. I am
part of a deacon family.
This family is the reason why I have been able to serve
for so many years because they in a very real and practical way help me. I am grateful to share reflections from my
wife Lou Ann and my daughter Lauren who helped me through the diaconate process
and still help me. They are both very
well-qualified to write these reflections.
I am grateful for them for allowing me to share with you. Blessed Lent ...season of change. Norm
Reflection for Monday March 10 from Lou Ann Horstman:
Our readings for today are from Leviticus, chapter 19 and
Matthew, chapter 25. Both address right
conduct. The section of Leviticus which
we hear in Mass today gives directives for financial, social and legal
relationships.
It is taken from a chapter that presents an ultimately
confusing array of dos and don'ts. Some
are immediately meaningful and poetically presented:
"When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you
shall not do him wrong....for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the
Lord your God." Others are not so compelling: "You shall not round
off the hair on your temples or mar the edges of your beard." Matthew quotes Jesus as reducing this range
of commands to a very simple set of imperatives. He poses for us the basic
question, left or right? Will you be among the sheep or the goats? The criteria
for the selection is quite simple. It is
in fact the first six acts of the Corporal Acts of Mercy: Feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty,
shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, visit the sick, and visit the
imprisoned. In contrasting the two readings one can certainly see the
similarities, but I am more moved by the difference. Each of these acts that might help one be
more of a sheep and less of a goat is so human, so humble, so basic, so
earthy. What do we need? Food, shelter,
drink, clothing, and company. What are
we to do when we have it? Share it.
Share it with the least among us.
For myself, I have struggled mightily with the just
figuring out how to eat in a way that might help my body heal. Low fat? Low
carb? High protein? Vegetarian? Vegan? Paleo? I have felt at times that my very
life depended on making the right decision, while voices call to me with new
advice on every side. What a gift when
I have clarity about this! In the same
way we can get lost in our spiritual journey, this way or that? This, for me,
is the deep meaning of this chapter in Matthew, put away the confusion and go
to work. There are clearly hurting,
hungry, lonely people among us. The
directives provide perfect clarity. The
response to the psalm today says it perfectly, "your words, Lord, are
Spirit and life." And it is true
that our very lives depend upon it.
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