March 3rd

March 3rd, 2023
Friday of the 1 st Week of Lent
Readings: Ez 18:21-28/Mt 5:20-26
Diego Dauphin: Senior

The first reading comes from the prophet of Ezekiel, and within the passage, the prophet
is profoundly declaring the wickedness of Israel as a nation, and he emphasizes the importance
of turning away from this wicked state. Only then can restoration occur. In both readings for
today, each of their closing lines are what struck me personally, as they do complement each
other nicely. The reading from Ezekiel states, “if the wicked, turning from the wickedness he has
committed, does what is right and just… he shall surely live, he shall not die.” And from the
Gospel of Matthew, “Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last
penny.” Lent is a slow, thought-provoking, and sacrificial part of the Liturgical Calendar. As
such, it’s a great time for self-reflection. And these readings emphasize living a just life to
maintain a living, healthy soul. Physically, we die, but spiritually? Will you allow your soul to be
consumed by our physical, material world, or will you flourish alongside Christ both here and in
God’s kingdom?
Getting consumed in the noise and static of this fast-moving modern world has become
far too easy; so, I implore you to try using this Lenten season to slow down for a time and
experience the discipline that comes with that. The readings are telling us that we need to
examine whether we are, or we are not living through Christ’s perfect vision for us—short
answer—is no we’re not. If we have not, we would not be given this opportunity every year. But
that’s okay. Each one of us will one day answer to God (we will one day have to pay back our
last penny). But what’s important is that at any point, we can choose lack of faith and not pursue

the virtuous life that God lays down for us, or we can choose repentance, righteousness and
justice, and we will live, and never die, at least in a purely spiritual sense.