3/22/2019 LENTEN REFLECTION
Posted on Mar 22, 2019
by ACS
[“Therefore, I say to you,
the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you
the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you
and given to a people that will produce its fruit.”] (Mt. 21:43)
Jesus gives a pretty stern warning to His contemporary Jewish religious leaders. They who have been given so many opportunities to repent, have refused. They who have been granted acute knowledge of the Law, have ignored its foundation. They who have been guided and protected by God, have cast Him off. Consequently, they have not borne fruit.
What about us? Jesus’s harsh criticism of and warning for the Jewish leaders is also directed at us. Jesus told Sr. Faustina, “My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls” (Diary of St. Faustina, 1228).
Jesus gives us a warning, but also grants us an opportunity to “heat up”, to convert our souls more and more especially in the Sacrament of Mercy (Reconciliation). Jesus gave the power to forgive sins to His Church for a reason (Jn. 20:22). Take advantage of it.
Take some time to examine your conscience and seek out a priest to hear your confession. Let Jesus’s burning Divine love set your heart on fire.