FRIDAY IN THE FOURTH WEEK OF LENT

Today’s readings call me to stay focused on what truly matters in both this life and
the next.

Wisdom literature was common throughout the ancient Near East. It sought to
prevent the ancient Israelites from being easily tempted by evil ways and turn them
to the rewards of a just and good life. There are many parallels to the challenges and
temptations that we all face in today’s modern world. It is so easy to get caught up
with the ideas of power, money, prestige and recognition, especially with the advent of
modern technology, social media and the 24/7 news cycle. God’s invitation reminds
us, however, that if we stay focused on living a life of kindness, service, humility and
justice, our reward in the next life will be truly great. There are many small acts of
kindness that each of us can do every day to remind us of this important fact. It is
my belief that this is the lesson Jesus is teaching us when he sacrificed his life for our
eternal salvation, and it is the primary focus of the Lenten season.