Reflection
“And what does God require of you?” Scripture asks. The answer is a stark one: “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” What?!
The answer confuses us. It takes our puny little religious concepts, the ones we attribute to God in order to make ourselves feel good, and turns them upside down. A people given to religious bartering—so many turtle doves, so many bullocks, so much Lenten fasting done to keep God happy with us—is told that sacrifice is not the answer. Only conversion of life really counts where the God of gods is concerned. In fact, it is the ultimate sacrifice asked for here, this putting down of the greed we call “progress” and the vindictiveness we call “justice” and the pride we call “success.” But that’s where Lent gets real.
Joan Chittister, OSB
Prayer
I desire mercy and not sacrifice.
Hosea 6:6
Action
In the context of our present society, what is the conversion of life asked for in this scripture text? What does it mean for you? How does it change your thinking and acting?
Suggested Reading
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly[a] with your God.
Micah 6:7-8
And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
Matthew 5:16
Fast from hurting words… and say kind words.
Fast from sadness…and be filled with gratitude.
Fast from anger…and be filled with patience.
Fast from pessimism…and be filled with hope.
Fast from worries…and have trust in God.
FastFast from pressures…and be prayerful.
Fast from bitterness…and fill your hearts with joy.
Fast from selfishness…and be compassionate to others.
Fast from grudges…and be reconciled.
Fast from words…and be silent so you can listen.
Pope Francis
People who claim to be Christians but do not live accordingly are the most dangerous enemies of Christianity.
Leo Tolstoy
If we are not careful, our piety can become a mask for our hypocrisy.
Billy Graham
Hypocrisy is to pay lip service to God while living a life that bears no resemblance to God’s teachings.
Unknown