Lenten Reflection Series- March 2nd, 2021

​ Are we all or nothing people, do we demonstrate temperance in our thoughts and actions?
Cancel culture – is a relatively new term with old roots, whereby we judge people for past words or deeds against the everchanging morality of the day. If anything from the past is perceived as offensive, that person is ‘persona non grata’ – or someone who is totally unacceptable, unwanted, and unwelcome.

Jesus teaches against cancelling others in today’s Gospel when he defends the position (or office) of the Pharisees, the very people Christ is not very happy with. “observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice.” And what the Pharisees teach is plain in today’s first reading, “Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged” All of these are good actions to follow – regardless of who says them.

Do we listen those who have offended us, is there some truth in what they may say? Do we temper our responses to them, or do we dismiss them entirely? When we dismiss others, aren’t we like the Pharisees exulting ourselves with an attitude of self-honor?   
If on reflection, we take a mindset of superiority or self-righteousness, we must clean our hearts through the sacrament of confession to give glory to God in right praise, so we grow to live justly and truly see the salvation of God.

​Deacon Joe