Saturday of the Third Week of Lent
Today, March 18, we hear the LORD’s promise (Hosea 14:2-10), “I will heal their deflection, says the LORD, I will love them freely, for my wrath is turned away from them. I will be like dew for Israel…” This simple reflection allows us to recognize – to know again – our LORD’s promise and generosity. On this same day, in Mark 12:28-34, we are reminded which among the commandments is first. “This is the first, Hear, O Israel, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and will all your strength. The second is this, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Lent is often associated with fasting: that is, giving something up. Neither passage from Hosea nor Mark address giving up anything. Instead, we are invited to partake.
So, let’s flip the narrative from fasting to feasting. Feast on the LORD’s healing love and renewal. Feast on hope and truth. Feast loving all others as we love the LORD.
Feast on truth, hope, gratitude, and the LORD’s unconditional love.
Linda R Barley, EdD, CHES, OFS
Class of 1973
Thank you for the beautiful reflection and reminder that Lent is a time of fasting but never from our Lord. We should always feast on His abundant love for us and share the feast with all.
ReplyDelete