Homily, 3-6-23; Monday of the 2nd Week in Lent:
Last summer, three of my young grandchildren spent the weekend with us. They helped with many chores in the garden and then we went down to the local market to return bottles and cans that had collected in the garage. As a reward, we stopped at the ice cream shop on the way home. I had never stopped there before, even though we had lived nearby for eight years, and so I didn’t know how they prepared their cones. Some places simply plop a scoop of ice cream on top of the cone. And so I ordered the kids medium cones to make sure they were amply rewarded. Well the girl behind the counter started by cramming ice cream into the base of the cone and then topped the cone with two huge scoops. It was a heavenly treat exceeding my expectations. It was kind of like that described in our gospel passage—a good measure, packed down, and overflowing. Unfortunately, because it was a hot day, also like the gospel passage it was pouring in our laps. What a mess.
God calls us to me merciful, to be forgiving, and to be generous with our possessions. And we receive a promise that in return He will outdo us with His mercy and forgiveness and generous rewards.
In our first reading from the Book of Daniel, we are reminded to consider our sinfulness and our need for mercy and forgiveness. Recognition of that need is an important first step because we won’t ask for mercy and forgiveness if we don’t think we need it. And this recognition is something we surely strive for during Lent. Recognizing our failures, admitting that we are shamefaced, will motivate us to perform acts of mercy. This is the almsgiving the Church calls us to perform during Lent.
Let us be generous with our time and resources. “Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap.” It will be a heavenly reward exceeding our expectations.