“Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is
its own evil.” (Mt 6:34)
I think I've said this before, and I'm sure I'll say it again, it’s amazing how the readings tie into our lives. These past two weeks have been great, they've also been a little frustrating. I love the mountains, I prefer to be outdoors, and I have been blessed to do both. But I've let things worry me. Instead of relaxing on my vacation, or soaking in the mountain air with the CYO I've been worrying about the work piling up, skiing
conservatively so I don't screw up my new knee, and tracking what’s going on in Russia. I think it’s safe to say that 15 minutes watching any major news station will leave you wondering what in the world is happening to our country and our world.
I said Mass in a group room at a condo in Colorado for the Blessed Sacrament group,
and I preached about not letting worry into our lives. It’s prideful to worry. Worry
means we trust ourselves more than God, and we don't have the power to change much
as it is. Yet in the back of my mind was worry. It’s a good time for Lent. Lent is our opportunity to focus on turning back to the Lord. It’s also our chance to do something about our worry. Pope Francis implored us in his Angelus address to “combat evil with weapons of prayer, fasting and mercy.” Ash Wednesday’s Gospel expounded on our Christian duty to pray, fast and almsgive. Really we are being reminded of our
weapons to combat evil, our weapons against worry. " is Sunday we hear Jesus undergo temptation. After the devil tempts Jesus a third time He responds: “Get away, Satan! It is written: "the Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.” This is what Lent is about. Turning back to God, repenting of our sins, giving to God those things we worry about so that we can focus not on ourselves, but on what God
wants from us. It’s a reminder of the power of those weapons- prayer, fasting and almsgiving. It’s a preparation so that we can experience the joy of Easter, the joy God has planned for each one of us in our daily lives.
Listen for the Lord this Lent. He is constantly urging us. I was reminded multiple times. One beautiful ski run on the last day I paused at the top of a steep descent to look down. Flexing my leg I wondered how my knee would do. Pete skied up next to me and said “you should talk about this in your homily.” I looked up and saw what he was looking at, a beautiful sunny day, mountain peaks in every direction, pure beauty and
majesty. Give up something this Lent, add some prayer, show mercy to those that need it, and let God take your worry. Let Him remind you of the beauty He has created, the care He has for you, and the joy He has prepared for those who trust in Him.
-Fr. Benjamin F. Green
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