By Fr. Glenn Jones:
Big week this week. Superbowl Sunday. And then beginning of the Lenten season with Ash Wednesday … which, unfortunately, falls on Valentine’s Day this year. Well … maybe better to celebrate romance on Fat Tuesday this once, and thus keep whole the spirit of Ash Wednesday—that of repentance, for we Christians begin our annual “time in the desert” with Jesus in anticipation of the remembrance of His Passion and subsequent Resurrection at Easter. That repentance is the sign for which the ashes are applied to the forehead at the services on that day—the traditional sign of penance and turning away from things that are sinful or otherwise harmful in our lives … be it giving up something harmful, or practicing some greater charity.
This season reminds us that we are indeed mortal and one day inevitably will face our own earthly end. As the phrase goes in the Mass when the ashes are applied: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you will return”, similar to Job’s “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return” (Job 1:22) Or, the somewhat more positive phrase when applying ashes: “Repent, and believe in the Gospel” … with which the wise will nonetheless still remember that still implied is: “…to dust you will [inevitably] return.” And when that day comes, to final assessment by He who provides life do we go. How did we live up to the very purpose for which we were created—to love God, and therefore to love goodness and truth, and to love our neighbor?
Some will likely object: “Oh, how morbid! How depressing!!” But the devout Christian says: “Not so. The afterlife is our hope!” For while the blessings that God gives us in this life are very good and joy-filled, in our heart of hearts and faith we say with St. Paul: “ … to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer. I am hard pressed between the two: [but] my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better…” (Philippians 1:21-23) But we are pleased (and bound) to live as long as God wants us here to labor for the good, working as Christ’s hands to further the kingdom of God. But neither should we fear when He finally calls us home to eternal rest and peace with Him. We are workers of the vineyard, seeking to further the crop and harvest for God until night finally falls.
This reminds of the reading in Catholic Mass today, in which we hear again from St. Paul: “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Avoid giving offense … just as I try to please everyone in every way, not seeking my own benefit but that of the many, that they may be saved.” (1 Corinthians 10:31-33)
“Do all for the glory of God.” And what does that mean? Does God “need” our adulation to make Himself feel good? No, of course not. As we hear in one of the prayers of the Mass: “…although you have no need of our praise, yet our thanksgiving is itself your gift, since our praises add nothing to your greatness, but profit us for salvation, through Christ our Lord.” (Common Preface IV).
Think about it. What is the glory of any family … even of human parents? How do they glory in their children? Is it not when members of that family achieve great things in accord with truth and goodness? And what is good and great? Is it not those things which benefit others in charity and mercy…justice, love and service? So, we as children of God are called to do the same, and by so doing glorify God “by default”, as it were, for He through His Son has shown us this goodness and truth. WE are called to love neighbor in justice and mercy, forgiveness and charity … to live truth as He has shown to us, and called us to follow. How ardently we seek earthly honors! Should we not more so seek the honor that God gives? This is not in wealth or business success, but rather in service to others.
Our Lenten observance will bring remembrance of Christ’s total sacrifice of self for our—each individual’s—salvation. So how should we treat one who loves us with all His being … who has given us every gift and every good thing in our lives? Should we not, because God loves US so totally, seek to love HIM totally.
As Jesus says: “Fear not, little flock…give alms; provide yourselves… with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail…” (Luke 12:32-33) “Alms” is not only monetary gifts, but of time and talent. So we should not fear to be bold in generosity … remembering also Jesus’ assurance “…the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you.” (Mark 4:24) Mediocrity in faith gives little glory to ourselves OR to God. Let us give generously … generously as God has given.
“How much should I give of myself?” Gaze and the crucifix and ask yourself: “Well…how thankful are you for what God has given you?” Behold the cross with His Son dying upon it … dying for you. This is the very image of God’s love.
As we read in St. Paul: “…do everything for the glory of God…not seeking [one’s] own benefit but that of the many, that they may be saved.”…knowing that God cannot…and will not…be outdone in generosity … not in this world, and most certainly not in the next.
Editor’s note: Rev. Glenn Jones is the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and former pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos.
