This is the time of year when I discover how little I am in control. Recent deaths of the seemingly healthy in my community showed me how fragile these individuals were. A bad fall on the icy concrete makes me aware of my own vulnerability. In my youth, I was reminded each Ash Wednesday, that I am dust and to dust I will return. We are only on this earth a short time. How do we use it? For many of us it is working from deadline to deadline. There is so much to be done. This time of year we become tired. We may have enjoyed the first snowfall of the season. Now even the weather contributes to a mild depression. I think many of us are ready for winter to end. The days are still short and often grey. We spend nearly all of our time indoors. Colds and flu circulate through the population. We become complacent people. We become like the people in the first reading. We become frustrated. Sometimes this leads to doubt. Sometimes it leads to rebellion. We focus on the shortcomings of our environment. My own state of being retreats from where I want it to be. We can easily become critical. In close quarters, it is easy to notice the faults of others. In our society it is politically incorrect to judge. Nevertheless criticism and cynicism are widespread. We become the people Jesus warns us not to be in the Gospel.
The reading from Daniel and the Responsorial Psalm are reminders of our human state. We fail. We hope that our God will not deal with us in the ways that could, but rather with mercy. The Gospel asks our patience and mercy in return.
I am reminded how well Lent and the Easter season are timed to the environment in my region of the world. The Lenten Gospels present Jesus in his season of challenge. My prayer today is for the insight to recognize the places where my efforts can make a difference. I pray for the strength and will to use these opportunities wisely. I pray for hope and patience to endure. I pray for the grace to once again appreciate the world as a gift.