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40 Shades of Lent by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Tuesday in the Second Week of Lent, 27 February 2024 Isaiah 1;10, 16-20 <*[[[[>< + + + ><]]]]*> Matthew 23:1-12
Praise and glory to you, God our Father, for this Season of Lent! Though it is characterized with sobriety due to the the spirit of penance, you have ensured it not to be dull nor drab with the joy of Easter we all anticipate. And so, what a joy to listen to your words today of the bursts of reds you promised to cleanse and turn into white as snow.
Come now, let us set things right, says the Lord. Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool.
Isaiah 1:18
Your words make me wonder, Lord, why sins be like scarlet and crimson? Could it be because both shades evoke power we humans always abuse that consciously or unconsciously, we draw blood that in the process take life of others because of our sinful desires and schemes; forgive us, O Lord, for our hypocrisies that have killed others literally and figuratively.
In Jesus' name, help us, O God to "set things right", to be true and humble before you for "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (Matthew 23:12); let us set things right by being fair and just especially to those weak and marginalized; let us set things right by giving back what we have stolen from others; let us set things right by being concerned with others through love and good works that uplift people physically, morally, and spiritually. Amen.
