Fifth Sunday of Lent_B - Extreme Makeover_032121

Deacon Tom Writes,

“Extreme Makeover” 

Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year B

One of the most emotionally charged psalms in the Old Testament is the one we read today. It is attributed to King David and is so appropriate as our Lenten journey nears completion. David is guilt ridden, and rightfully so. (See 2 Samuel, Chapter 11). In the aftermath of his sinful behavior, David wants to be freed from the burden of his guilty conscience. He wants his conscience to be “washed clean.” Mindful of the damage he has done to others, himself and to his people, he turns to God and begs, “Create a clean heart in me, O God.” Most of us can relate to David because we have been in his shoes. And we, like David, would like to have a fresh start, an “extreme makeover” to ease our troubled conscience and to renew and purify us through and through. 

If we have engaged in the difficult work of spiritual introspection this Lent, we most likely have encountered some of our flaws, and that’s a good thing, one of the primary purposes of these forty days. But then comes the more challenging task…. changing our ways…. And that’s very hard to do. Yet all the energy, time and effort we may make to bring about changes in our attitudes and behaviors will, by themselves, likely won’t be enough; we are going to need even more. So we turn to God and ask Him to cleanse us, renew us and give us a willing spirit to change our ways. 

The truth of the matter is that most of us carry around burdens of the past; burdens that weigh us down and rob us of the joy and happiness God intended for us to experience is this life. In this we can easily identify with David. David finds comfort in the compassion of God, and so can we. Sinners that we are, God is always seeking to create a clean heart in us so that we can grow in His love and share in the joy of His salvation. These last few days of Lent give us ample opportunity to confront our shortcomings and defects so that we can join in the Easter celebrated as people who have been given a special blessing, an “extreme makeover” and a fresh start so that we enjoy life to the fullest as God intended for us from the foundation of the world. 

Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom