Traditionally, we begin Lent on Ash Wednesday with our foreheads marked with a cross of ashes with the words “Turn away from sin and embrace the gospel.” Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate this year and we began Lent without ashes. Turning away from sin can mean different things to each one of us. Sin has a way of turning us away from God and separating us from one another. The challenge for us is to identify what it is that is turning us away from God.
On this last weekend before we transition to Holy Week our readings foreshadow Easter in that they deal with issues of death and ultimately resurrection and new life. In our gospel reading, we find an image of Jesus, with whom we can all relate. When he approached the tomb of his friend Lazarus, Jesus was overcome with emotion and wept. Jesus felt the sting of loss at the death of his friend, just as you and I would. Death marks the end; it’s final. But, in Jesus, death may be the end of a chapter, but it’s not the end of the story.
As he lay on his dying bed, St. John XXIII pointed to Jesus on the cross and said the open arms of Jesus were the inspiration for his entire life work. Those open arms of love can remind each of us of the depth of God’s love. Those arms are open for each of us, without exception. Those same arms that were stretched open on the cross, for you and me, are waiting to embrace us, to fill us with the love and healing that only God can give.
Our scriptures this weekend provide us with a comforting image to ponder. Jesus responded to loss with love, doing everything in his power to change death into life, darkness into light, and sadness into joy! This week, let us reflect on our own deaths, our own transgressions, our own fears, and see them surrounded by the light of the Good News of the Resurrection.
A powerful way for us to ponder Jesus’ outstretched arms of love is to attend our penance service on Wednesday at 7:00 pm. Together we will gather as God’s beloved to reflect on God’s love and mercy. As is our tradition, we will offer general absolution as we prepare to celebrate the joy of Easter. For those who would like to confess their sins with a priest, we will have clergy available.
May God bless you and your loved ones today, tomorrow, and forevermore.