“…with all your heart and with all your soul” (Dt 26:16).

No more, no less. All your heart. All your soul. It is a waste of time to do a thing from which your heart or soul are missing. How often do we have to work just for the salary, to have the money to cover our bills. So sad.

We are His children and if we have no chance to put all our heart into action – it is far below our dignity.

“Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect, says the Lord” (Mt 5:48) – Communion Antiphon

“You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” (Mt 5:21-22) 

Practice makes one perfect. Such an easy beginning, such simple steps: first just “angry”, and later just a simple comment – “you fool”. After all, it’s not a big deal, is it? For us. Not for Him. He knows the consequences: a damaged child, then – a teenager hungry for love and acceptance, later – a demanding husband/wife, and in the end – a parent dissatisfied with the progress of his child. And the training for the next generation of professional killers starts again.

Or… send a text message to your child(ren) – how happy you are being a parent of the best child ever. 

“Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the Lord, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit” (Verse before the Gospel).

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.” (Mt 7:12)

The simple rule. The Golden Rule. And here we are. Surrounded by people: smiling, kind, respectful, gentle, more givers then demanders, listening with understanding, having time to listen to my stories of simple things that have happened, nice and protective.

And the first person that I meet today is me in the mirror. Smiling, kind, gentle…

“A clean heart create for me, o God; give me back the joy of your salvation” (Versus before the Gospel)

“… no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” (Lk 11:29).

“Nineveh was an enormously large city; it took three days to go through it. Jonah began his journey through the city, and had gone but single day’s walk… when the people of Nineveh believed God… When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he had treated to do to them; he did not carry it out.” (Jonah 3:3-5. 10).

How difficult was this mission for Jonah. Assyrians were enemies. Jonah really liked God’s plan to destroy Nineveh. Especially because it was God’s plan. Jonah, the Israelite, was chosen to deliver the message about the chance to repent they’d been given.

Our enemies are also God’s children. Without His grace – and the opportunity to repent – they will die.

“Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart for I am gracious and merciful.” (Verse before the Gospel).

“… my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.” (Is 55:11)

Like rain and snow. “… do not return … till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful…” (Is 55:10). What would my life be without the Word of God? Every day it brings me His love, His advice, strengthening and courage, forgiveness and mercy… And it is fruitful not by my reception, but by His will. And with Him – there is always a happy end.

“O Lord, you have been our refuge, from generation to generation; from age to age, you are.” (Cf. Ps 90 (89), 1-2) – Entrance Antiphon

“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Mt 25:40) 

To see Him. How much easier it would be for us if only we were be able to see Him. The hidden God. Or… we do not look in the right direction: “these least brothers of mine”.

It is such a comforting thought that I am so important for Him. I am His least brother, sister. And whatever you did for me, you did for Him. 

“Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” (Mt 25:34-36)

“He said in reply: It is written: …” (Mt 4:4) 

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Second Person in the Holy Trinity, the Eternal Word, used only the Bible in His dialogue with the tempter. He didn’t use any other argument. He only repeated three times: it is written. And it was enough. “The devil left him” (Mt 4:11).

I followed this example and found the appropriate sentences in the Bible for some of the devil’s temptations. And instead of fighting with him by myself, I am hiding behind the shield made by His Word.

“One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God” (Mt 4:4) – Communion Antiphon

“Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.” (Lk 5:31-32)

He is the remedy for all my wounds, injuries, chronic spiritual disease, my weakness and sins. He is the One who looks at me with all compassion, tenderness, respect, gentleness and pure love. He is not looking for any reward, any interest of His own. He is looking for my happiness. And what I can do is to imitate Him and act in the same way with my neighbors.

“I desire mercy, not sacrifice, says the Lord, for I did not come to call the just but sinners”. (Mt 9:13) – Communion Antiphon

“This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.” (Is 58:6-7)

It is so important. Our way back to Him leads through people. When I look at Him, I should see people in need. We always have a little bit more than the others – sometimes more bread, sometimes more time, even one minute to listen to somebody; this one minute could be a shelter for the oppressed and for those who have nobody at home to talk to about their needs; your good word or a look full of love could be a clothing for somebody who’s “naked”, whose inner “skin” is fragile and wounded. God needs us to proclaim His Good News, He needs us to show His love and mercy. We need also help, but when we forget a little bit about ourselves and pay attention to the others…

“Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; Your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!” (Is 58:8-9)

“What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” (Lk 9:25)

Especially for us, men. “To gain the whole world”. How often do we think about our mission in this world in this way. No matter what profession: a teacher, lawyer, pilot, businessman… Even if my “whole world” is really, really small. How often it is so important – TO GAIN. And how often we lose ourselves. Too busy to pray, too much work to go home, too interested in the company, and so many “too”s.

Lent helps me reorganize my priorities. Go back to my real world. To the real life.

“Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him. For that will mean life for you, a long life for you to live on the land that the LORD swore he would give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” (Deuteronomy 30, 19-20).