Every day of Lent, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE for the readings.
We can’t rest on our laurels as people of religion. It is easy to say, “I don’t go to Mass anymore now, but I used to go to Church every Sunday as a kid.” Or “I went to a Catholic School for twelve years. That should count for something.” Or “I was baptized and confirmed before I was twelve years old, isn’t that enough?” God doesn’t want to know what we did in the past; God wants to know what we are doing now.
The same is true if we were wicked sinners in the past, God sent Jesus to remind us that the past is the past. The question is now: Have you reformed yourself and accepted God’s forgiveness in your life at this moment?
In the First Reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel, we find that a wicked man can turn from his wicked way to do what is right and just. God says, in this case, “None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him.” But in reverse, a virtuous man can turn from God to a life of evil and do abominable things. In this case, God says, “None of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered.”
Today would be a good day to do an examination of conscience. Where am I in my walk with the Lord right now? Where is my heart in the present moment?