Why were people plotting to kill Jesus, have him arrested, or stone him (today’s Gospel)? Ah, let me count the ways (whys) – what we’ve heard about just this Lent.

Jesus healed on the Sabbath. He stood up for the “woman caught in adultery.” He praised the prayer of the tax collector. He embraced the ostracized leper. He dined with tax collectors, sinners, and the ritually impure. He called out the hypocrisy of religious leaders. He challenged the unjust legal structures of the lawyers. He criticized the rich. He urged people to forgive 77 times and love their enemies. He praised Naaman the Syrian. He revealed his true identity to the Samaritan woman (at the well) who had five husbands. He said love the “least of mine.”

Indeed, Jesus confronted in his time the social sins of religious hypocrisy, corrupt systems of injustice, the evils of wealth at the expense of the poor, sexism, prejudice, racism, violence, and the culture of shaming. These social and personal sins then and now brought Jesus to the cross (celebrated a week from today).

And yet, in taking up the cross, Jesus showed us the love of God — mercy, forgiveness, and transforming grace. His death, in the end, is a triumphal act. Love, not selfishness, is how we build up the Kingdom of God. We remember and celebrate this mystery and “good news” at every Mass.

During these remaining days of Lent, let us acknowledge our contribution to the social sins of our day and express our gratitude for God’s divine mercy expressed in Jesus on the cross.

Let Us Pray:

Dear Lord, let us join our hearts today with all victims of injustice, violence, and exploitive greed, with those most affected by the assault on Mother Earth, especially the poor, mothers and children, peoples of color, and indigenous origins. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. By your cross and resurrection, set us free.