Reconciliation and Reparation

March 14, 2025 – Friday of the First Week of Lent

Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031425.cfm)

How do we practice our Christian faith in terms of our moral actions?How does our Christian faith manifested in our relationship with one another? Does my faith in Jesus also mold my heart to be truly good, kind and compassionate?

Or we could also ask this question for our further reflection. Is our Christian faith only limited in the rituals and religious ceremonies that we do?

Jesus, as he continued to teach and form the hearts of his disciples, expressed the demand of having faith in him and thus, being a disciple. Jesus said, “unless you surpass the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees, then, you will not enter the kingdom of Heaven.”

This means that Jesus wanted the disciples to do more and to go beyond the usual. Without condemning the scribes and Pharisees at that time, Jesus wants us to realize something beyond the usual actions of these people.

The Pharisees and the scribes who are like lawyers today were more inclined to only follow the letters of the law. They tended to be more concerned of trivial things in the Jewish Law.

Yet, attitude made their hearts rigid and cold towards those who did not belong their circle. Hence, there was a culture of so much indifference and condemnation towards the sinners, the sick and the poor. The people who did not belong to that circle of influence of the scribes and Pharisees. This gives us the picture now, that these people may be meticulous in following the law, but having a very distant relationship with others.

Jesus saw what were in their hearts. Their hearts were filled with pretensions and insecurities devoid of compassion and love. To avoid such tragedy among his disciples, Jesus gave a practical challenge. The challenge was to take an action that expresses mercy and compassion.

This was how Jesus called for the two “R.” The first R is “Reconciliation.” To have the courage to own our mistakes and to seek reconciliation with the person whom we have hurt, is a true expression of faith. The second R is “Reparation.” This is to take action in order to pay, compensate or repair the damage that we have caused to others. Indeed, to be reconciled with the person whom we have hurt and those who have hurt us, expresses the essence of this Season of Lent.

Reconciliation and Reparation shall form our hearts closer to the Lord and with one another. This is what the Prophet Ezekiel reminds us, “if the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely live, he shall not die.”

The Lord delights in our return. God rejoices in our conversion towards him. And so, may our faith then, leads us to the Lord manifested in our concrete actions of compassion and mercy. Hinaut pa.