March 10, 2025

Monday of the First Week of Lent

Lectionary 224

Matthew 25:31-46

Meditation

As children, our parents would ask us, "How much do you love me?" We would stretch out our arms as far as we could and reply, "This much." In today's gospel, Jesus asks us the same question: "How much do you love me?" We cannot simply answer by extending our arms and saying, “This much.”

The answer that Jesus expects of us is that we should love him this much – namely, that we have fed the hungry, clothed the naked, ministered to the sick, the lonely, or the imprisoned. Arms that are extended do not necessarily respond in action. We are challenged to put our arms to work in response to those in need. As we respond to Jesus by our actions, he assures us of our place in his Kingdom.

At La Salette, Mary expresses her love for us through tears. She loves us so much that it pains her to see us neglect her Son. Mary's presence says that she loves us enough to come and remind us to express our love for her Son by ministering to others in need.