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Can you teach an old dog new tricks?

March 7, 2022

Leviticus 19:1–2,11–18  |  Matthew 25:31–46  |  Psalm 19:7–14

A not-so-easy read…

Psalm 19:7–14

Having read and re-read this psalm, I profess an utter inability to grasp its overall message at first… my simple take is that following the Lord provides me all I need to be wise, righteous, cleansed, innocent of great offense… OK, this a good place to begin my Lenten journey…

Save yourself by embracing GOD in the least fortunate of mankind

Matthew 25:31–46

I am familiar with this story from years of hearing it. I must put myself in uncomfortable places sometimes with people I either disagree with or find offensive in order to feel the presence and grace of GOD. No easy task but the alternative is eternal punishment, whatever that is. I am going to put a different spin on this one. By eating with the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, or the prisoner, only then can I truly feel the presence of GOD. Only then can I appreciate the gifts that have been given to me by GOD. With gratitude. And in return, feel the thanks and grace and gratitude of those less fortunate than I. All along thinking I am helping others when truly they are helping me, tenfold.

“St. John Baptist de La Salle pray for us. Live Jesus in our hearts, forever.” (The prayer recited daily by students attending La Salle Academy. I am a ‘75 grad of La Salle)

A much easier read…

Leviticus 19:1–2,11–18

Well, I can more easily wrap my head around much of this… love God, neighbor, self… forgive, love enemies, ask God for forgiveness, and repent… do not defraud or steal… treat the less fortunate with reverence and kindness… do not hate, take vengeance, bear a grudge…

Never quite understood “you shall fear your God”… fear being a very unpleasant emotion… think I’d prefer to work on loving my God… respect my God… listen to my God… follow my God… (not sure the translator chose the correct word in “fear”)

And “you shall not judge your neighbor” triggers unpleasant emotions, too… let’s go positive: perhaps rather than being judgmental I can listen more to my neighbor and try to be more understanding and empathetic…

These are all really big ideas to me, a vulnerable human, who has spent a lifetime trying to understand and more importantly put them into practice… the journey continues for this old dog this Lenten season and then some…

Thanks be to God.

Rob Walsh