Saturday after Ash Wednesday
This reading from Isaiah is a great
reminder for all of us as we begin the Lenten journey. Isaiah gives us two
relatively simple (but very important) directives and explains that if we
adhere to these directives, we will benefit greatly.
First, Isaiah asks us to step back from our own
self-interest and put God first in our lives. Again, this seems like a fairly
simple idea but I know that it is hard to do sometimes. We become preoccupied
with everything that is going on around us and we focus more on our own
problems and those that may have slighted us. But, if we can get past these
things and put God first, our reward will be great. As Isaiah said, we will be
“like a spring whose water never fails.”
Isaiah’s second instruction is also pretty simple but
something we often overlook: keeping the Sabbath day holy. We are often being
pulled in multiple directions on the weekends with kids’ sports and other
functions and it becomes easy to overlook or forget the importance of the
Sabbath. Attending mass is very important but we should also try to get some
rest and honor God’s day. If we do keep the Sabbath, we will “ride on the
heights of the earth.”
Isaiah’s instructions to put God first and keep the Sabbath
day holy are a great reminder as we start Lent. Take a step back and try to
give God glory in our everyday lives; and when Sunday rolls around, be sure to
observe the Sabbath by going to mass and respecting God’s day.
Q: What self-interest can I step back from today to better honor God? What one step can I do this weekend to better keep the Sabbath holy?
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