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The Community at Prayer
Reflection by Father Paul M. Baca
March 20, 2011, 2nd Sunday in Lent

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       Yesterday evening I was watching coverage on the devastation of the earthquake in Japan and the tsunami. To say the least it was extremely difficult to see the destruction wrought by the natural disaster. In the midst of all the tragedy the media covered the extent of the humanitarian aid being poured into that region by the whole world. In one instance they showed an elderly woman being helped by the medics and she asked, "Where are you from?" The medic answered, "From the U.K." The woman remarked, "And you came all the way here to help us? Why?" That one word was with me all evening. It was heartwarming as they showed so many of our military so involved in providing food and supplies, medical aid and aiding in the search and rescue. It really made you proud to be an American when you see the extent of our outreach in so many ways. I couldn't help but ask myself, What motivates people to leave their homes and take on the many dangers to help people they don't even know? The whole scene, tragic though it is, has brought out the best in so many people.

     Today is Monday, the 14th of March and as I prepared to celebrate Mass I read the First Reading from Leviticus and the Gospel from St. Matthew. The First Reading was full of laws on how people should behave towards each other. It spells out so many things that are so basic and important. The Gospel on the other hand, was a passage on the Last Judgment and St. Matthew summed up the beautiful teaching of Jesus saying, "What we do for each other, we do for Him. I was hungry, you gave me to eat, thirsty and you gave me to drink, homeless and you welcomed me, when I was in prison you didn't give up on me and you came to visit me. Come into the everlasting joy of heaven." It is little wonder that Pope John XXIII and The Second Vatican Council called the gospels The Good News.

     All of this gave me a new perspective on Lent; it gave purpose to the holy season. More than ever I see it as a season of reflection on how we have lived, are living and want to live, our lives. Lent becomes an opportunity for change for the better. It is a time for clearing our minds and appreciating what is really important. We have been made aware by the unrest in many countries where tyrants have enslaved their people for so long. We have been made aware as to how far they will go to hang onto their power and control their people. It is really unfortunate to know that power corrupts when it could be used to lift up so many people out of hunger, poverty and oppression. This holy season highlights how every one of us can be better and do better. Every one of us has power and during this time we have to ask ourselves, How are we using the power that we have? Are we making things better for everyone or just ourselves?

     God has revealed himself as a good and loving God and yet we have to face the reality that many suffer as a result of natural disasters. But then too, not only then but in every day of our lives we can reach out to each other and together bring healing and comfort to those who suffer whoever they are and wherever they are. Our Responsorial Psalm for today gives us food for thought as always. "Upright is the word of the Lord and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full."