Homily for Ash Wednesday: February 6, 2008

Given by the Most Reverend Stephen E. Blaire at St. Mary's High School in Stockton.

There is a story told about an elder native American walking in the forest with his grandson. Native Americans have great respect for their elders and the wisdom that accompanies them. At one point along the way after they had spotted a wolf in the distance, the grandfather said: “Within us there are two wolves. One is mean, vicious and angry, hungry to destroy. The other is kind and gentle.” That was all he said. As they continued walking for a while finally the grandson asked his grandfather: “Which wolf will win?” The grandfather reflected silently for a moment and then responded: “The one you feed.”

All of us are created good by God. God looks upon each of us and loves us. In fact, God likes each of us tremendously.

But within our human nature there are forces which want to go against God and lead us down the wrong path. We speak of this as original sin and the effects of original sin. If we feed the mean wolf within us it will eventually destroy us. The mean wolf does not want to know and love Jesus Christ. The mean wolf is racist, closed minded, defiant, very self centered and tries to make oneself look good by putting down others. The mean wolf ruins other people’s reputations, makes money at their expense, exploits them, and is always ready to fight.

But if we feed the good wolf we open the doors for Christ to come into our hearts and lives.

Lent is a time to open the doors to Christ. Let Jesus come in; let him love us; let him forgive our sins.

What does it mean to open the doors to Christ? It means we take some time to be with Jesus in prayer. Let Jesus in the gospels speak to you. Try to find out more about what Jesus is like so that you can be more like Him. It means we let Christ love us so that we can love others. Each day in Lent you can pick someone to love in a special way. Maybe today your mom, tomorrow your dad, the next day a brother or sister, the next day a teacher, the next day a friend and so on. In forty days you can show some special attention to forty people or maybe 10 people four times. By Easter you will be really good at loving others.

May Lent be a time for you to let Jesus come into your hearts and live with you and love you.

Last Update February 6, 2008