Monday of the Second Week of Lent

The prayer of the prophet Daniel imploring God’s mercy invites us to question every movement of self-righteousness we experience.  It is one thing to understand that we ourselves are sinners, another thing to feel and exert compassion for our sinning neighbors, and still another to implore God’s mercy and forgiveness on us all together as the body of Christ.  Confessing our sin – as in the sin of the community, the people of God, is the place where humility and compassion come together.  In an age of individualism, we could see repentance as an act where it is every man for himself.  We could understand the “one soul that I need to convert,” as my own in a very self-centered sort of way.

How do we avoid becoming judgmental while still recognizing that the major affliction suffered by those around us is their own sin?  St. Augustine gives us a good principle for fraternal correction:  “When we have to find fault with anyone, we should think whether we were never guilty of his sin; and then we must remember that we are men, and might have been guilty of it; or that we once had it on our conscience, but have it no longer: and then we should bethink ourselves that we are all weak, in order that our reproof may be the outcome, not of hatred, but of pity. But if we find that we are guilty of the same sin, we must not rebuke him, but groan with him, and invite him to repent with us.”¹  St. Thomas Aquinas provides a helpful commentary on that quote: “It follows from this that, if a sinner reprove a wrongdoer with humility, he does not sin, nor does he bring a further condemnation on himself, although thereby he proves himself deserving of condemnation, either in his brother’s or in his own conscience, on account of his previous sin.”²

Quotes:

“Although Daniel has already received manifold grace due to his faith and innocence and although he has received quite a reputation before the Lord in regard to his virtues and praises, he strives with fasting to be worthy of God; he puts on sackcloth and ashes and makes confession with tears.”³

“Although Daniel has already received manifold grace due to his faith and innocence and although he has received quite a reputation before the Lord in regard to his virtues and praises, he strives with fasting to be worthy of God; he puts on sackcloth and ashes and makes confession with tears.”⁴

“Although Daniel’s prayer is about the ordeal of exile, it is valid at all times. The Church, too, “embracing in her bosom sinners, at the same time holy and always in need of being purified, always follows the way of penance and renewal” (Vatican II, Lumen gentium, 8).”⁵

“The judge of the sinning soul must be higher than that soul. Since you are not, the sinner will object to you as judge. Why judge your neighbor? But if you venture to condemn him, having no authority to do it, it is yourself rather that will be condemned, because the law does not permit you to judge others.
Whoever therefore is guided by good sense, does not look at the sins of others, does not busy himself about the faults of his neighbor, but closely reviews his own misdoings. Such was the blessed psalmist, falling down before God and saying on account of his own offenses, “If you, Lord, closely regard iniquities, who can endure?” Once again, putting forward the infirmity of human nature as an excuse, he prays for a reasonable pardon, saying, “Remember that we are dirt.””⁶

““Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” “Give, and it will be given you.” These are the two wings of prayer, on which it flies to God. Pardon the offender what has been committed, and give to the person in need.”⁷

1. St. Augustine, De Serm. Dom. in Monte ii. cf. Thomas Aquinas. (n.d.). Summa theologica. II-II, 33, art. 5 (Fathers of the English Dominican Province, Trans.). London: Burns Oates & Washbourne.
2. ST II-II, Q. 33, art. 5, cor., Thomas Aquinas. (n.d.). Summa theologica. (Fathers of the English Dominican Province, Trans.). London: Burns Oates & Washbourne.
3. Cyprian, THE LAPSED 31.16. Stevenson, K., & Gluerup, M. (Eds.). (2008). Ezekiel, Daniel (p. 261). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
4. Jerome, THE LAPSED 31.16. Stevenson, K., & Gluerup, M. (Eds.). (2008). Ezekiel, Daniel (p. 261). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
5. Major Prophets, Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, The Navarre Bible; 2002
6. Cyril of Alexandria, COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 29. Just, A. A. (Ed.). (2005). Luke (p. 110). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
7. Augustine, SERMON 205.3. Just, A. A. (Ed.). (2005). Luke (p. 110). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.