We are ten days away from the holy season of Lent. On Ash Wednesday we will hear the words you are dust o man and to dust you shall return. These words are mean to be sober and cautionary like a work safe meeting at work where we are reminded of all that dangers that are around us and how we may avoid them. In the second reading we are reminded that the first Adam was from the dust and the second Adam Jesus was from heaven. In Lent we are reminded that our bodies are from the earth and have a tendency to go back to their wounded nature. Meaning that they want to be Jealous and greedy and Lustful and vengeful and desire a comfortable slavery. Yet our Lent is meant to make us people of heaven people who receive live in grace. Thing of the first story in the Scriptures today have you ever see a movies where some one could take a persons life and choose not to. David was being unjustly hunted by Saul. He had risked his life many times for this man and for the kingdom of Israel never once threatened to become King or politically get the throne. He was loved by the heir of the throne and now he was fleeing for his life because of some woman singing about his victory. David never attributed the victory to himself only to God and for this for guarding the kingdom for being a faithful servant he was being pursued. He was also at this time the anointed King of Israel. Here was his enemy lying asleep with a spear stuck in the ground above his sleeping enemy. Probably the same spear that Saul had tried to throw at David while he was playing to calm Saul troubled soul. All he had to do was take the spear out of the ground make a slight movement and a major enemy one who sought his life would be gone. His family could go home in safety. Yet David doesn’t not hurt him because he trusts in God. He knows that God is the one who makes it happen not him. God will make him King at the right time. David is no man of dust but a man of Heaven with grace running through his very being. This is what we are capable of my friend with God grace. Do not choose some boring thing this lent to trim down your figure. Lent is that time where we choose to let go of the dust and be people of Heaven.
Lent is about showing us the possibility of God grace in our lives. At the end of lent we get to witness a great miracle of the death and resurrection of God. In Lent we are here to die so that we can rise with Jesus. Don’t make your lent about something that will perish make it about things that are eternal that last forever a Lent that really throws of the shackles. Look at the Gospel love your enemies do good to those who hurt you. That is freedom when hatred isn’t motivating your actions. It is a powerful thing. One year at the Cathedral we had a forty days for life campaign each day we would stand and pray for an end to the culture of death. There were counter protesters with some really nasty signs that were full of hatred for us and especially towards priests. The called the police bylaws vandalized our signs and the Cathedral played music and really were not nice people. There were many cold days and rain one day was particularly miserable. We were prepared and had hot drinks. They did not so myself and another soul when out to the top where they were and offered them drinks and a few kind words we even told them if we were going to change our times so they wouldn’t miss out on us counter protesting. That is freedom when you can be kind to someone who hates you. There protest ceased over time.
Lent for sure is about sacrificing and dying but it is more about living in freedom trusting God more than we ever have and watching the blessing that flow from it. The gospel talks of these forgive and you will be forgiven. Imagine that how many people are we holding unforgiveness to now Lent is a time to give that up so God can forgive you. Make a good confession this lent do an examination of conscience this Lent. And go to Confession. If you don’t know how I can help you. If you have been away for a long time from the sacrament I am praying for you to have the grace to come back. I will say a Chaplet of Divine mercy each day for Lent so you to can live as a child of Heaven. If you are possessive of your material goods make act of Charity this Lent. God said the measure you pour out will be the measure you get but that you will get a better measure packed down over flowing will be given back. I wish you could try this it is the greatest adventure you can go on to trust God. Ask god what He wants you to do this Lent. If there is something you don’t feel inclined to do that is probably it ask Him for the strength and do it and watch the resurrection on Easter Sunday. Lent is freedom Lent is heaven. This lent let go of the dust you are hanging on to for security and embrace the Good and Generous God who gives back a 1000 fold.