A Heart Contrite and Humble

Homily for Wednesday of the 1st Week of Lent

Jesus uses two examples in his preaching to accentuate his message: Jonah and the Queen of Sheba. In both instances, these examples would have been heard as a stinging rebuke to his listeners. While they have heard what Jesus has to say, they have failed to change.

A doctor can prescribe a course of treatment for an illness. However, if the sick person does not put that course of treatment into action, it will never heal the sick person. Jonah did not wish to follow God’s plan because he, like his fellow Jews, was an enemy of the Ninevites. He would much rather see God’s power used to destroy this city.

The responsorial psalm today focuses our attention on the missing element – a contrite and humble heart. Without contrition and humility, no one is able to change. David uses the word “steadfast” to describe the spirit which he desire God to create for him. The Hebrew word that he uses here is the same word that is used to describe the mountains and hills of Israel. They are immovable. This is the spirit that David desires, a spirit that will never transgress God’s commandments.

David then goes on to remind us that all the sacrifices in the world are nothing compared to a heart full of contrition and humility. This is what we ask of God today so that we, like David, can repent of our sins and reconcile with God.

Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator