Monday of the Second Week of Lent 2023
Lord, great and awesome God,
you who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you
and observe your commandments!
We have sinned, been wicked and done evil;
we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws.
We have not obeyed your servants the prophets,
who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes,
our fathers, and all the people of the land.
-Daniel 9:4b-6
In my talks and reflections on the meaning of discipleship, Christian humility is always part of the conversation. It’s an unfortunate reality that for too many of us humility has become synonymous with humiliation or the notion that to be humble means that we become a doormat for others to walk on.
One of the key points I try to bring out about this essential Christian virtue is that humility is, in fact, a virtue of honesty. When we are truly humble, we are able to admit who and what we are in a way that empowers us to set aside pretensions and play-acting. Humility frees us to name our need for love and mercy, even as we also acknowledge that we are blessed with gifts and graces by the God who created and sustains.
The Readings for this Monday of the Second Week of Lent around grounded in humility.
First, we have the words of the Prophet Daniel which acknowledge that we are all stand in need of God’s mercy because of our sins. His use of the word “we” is intended to be totally inclusive; no one is left out. This can certainly challenge our sense of righteousness and the ways that we justify our words, actions, and attitudes. As Pope Francis has reflected:
Christians are like clay vases because they are weak, since they are sinners. Nevertheless between us poor, earthen vessels and the power of Jesus Christ is a dialogue; it is the dialogue of salvation. When this dialogue assumes the tone of self-justification, it means that something is not working and that there is no salvation. The humility of a Christian is that of one who follows the path pointed out by the Apostle. “We must really recognize our sins, and not present ourselves with a false image”.—Homily, June 14, 2013
To recognize our sins, however, is not to say that we are reduced to the reality of our sins. Rather, it is here that we become free. In acknowledging our need for forgiveness and reconciliation, we, in fact, open ourselves to the possibility of forgiveness and reconciliation. We also take an adult-ownership of those decisions we have made that have violated our relationship with God and those around us and we can begin working for healing.
Next, the Gospel proclaimed today moves us forward on the path of humility.
Because we recognize that we ourselves stand in need of forgiveness, we have to accept—in humble honesty—that we have no right to judge others. If we are sinners in need of forgiveness, how could we possibly presume to judge others?
As I have reflected in previous posts, sin isn’t simply about acts committed. The reality of sin can also include our participation in systems which violate the rights and dignity of others or the choice of expediency and the status quo over what may rightly demand change in my life and the world around me for the sake of the other.
“If we say, ‘We are without sin,’ we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing. If we say, ‘We have not sinned,’ we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”—1 John 1:8-10
The liturgy today invites us today is to acknowledge where and how we need forgiveness in our own lives, to extend to others the mercy we hope to receive, and to continue our Lenten journey with the humble honesty of the Prophet Daniel: “O LORD, we are shamefaced, like our kings, our princes, and our fathers, / for having sinned against you. / But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness!” (9:8-9a).
O God, who have taught us
to chasten our bodies
for the healing of our souls,
enable us, we pray,
to abstain from all sins,
and strengthen our hearts
to carry out your loving commands.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
-Collect for Monday of the Second Week of Lent
