Improve Your 'moral Goodness' By Listening To Jesus

The Gospel reading for Feb. 19 is Matthew 5: 20-26. It begins this way: “Jesus said to his disciples:  ‘I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.’”

Webster’s simple definition of righteous is “morally good.” Using that as a guide, it’s good to think about how we can improve on being “morally good” as we move through Lent. This is, after all, a time when we’re asked to draw closer to God. Praying … fasting … alms giving … all of these things will help us improve on being “morally good.”

From here, there’s something else any of us can do, and it only has to take a few minutes  –   although it might prove to be more helpful if you spend a bit more time.

Ask yourself these questions:

Which weekend Mass do I attend (i.e. Saturday anticipatory or Sunday Mass)?

When do I arrive?

Can I arrive five minutes earlier for the rest of Lent?

You can; we all can. Five minutes isn’t very long; but it’s how you spend that extra five minutes that can prove so important. Try the following this weekend:

Arrive in the sanctuary five minutes earlier this weekend.

From your pew, look around and locate the tabernacle. You probably already know where it is – and you’ll see a candle burning next to it. That candle reminds all who enter that Jesus is present … Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity … in the tabernacle.

Focus on the tabernacle, and His presence in it. Use the first two seconds of that extra five minutes to ask Jesus this question: “What do you want to tell me Lord?”

Then, just listen. Focus your gaze on the tabernacle … and just listen. He will speak to you. He may surprise you. He already knows what’s on your mind. He knows your life and the full range of challenges you face. He knows your hopes and fears. That’s why you only need that eight-word question: “What do you want to tell me Lord?”

Spend the rest of that five minutes just listening. Jesus will speak to you, although you may not like what you hear. If that’s the case, don’t react negatively. Regardless of whether you hear something you like – or something you hate – don’t react at all as you move through the Mass. Just be aware of the message, whatever it is; think about how it might impact your life if you heed the words.