Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

New DeSales World Newsletter - Summer Edition

3rd Sunday in Lent (March 19, 2006)

Readings Ex 20: 1-17 or 20: 1-3, 7-8, 12-17 Ps 19: 8-11 1 Cor 1: 22-25 Jn 2: 13-25

Suggested Emphasis

"I, the Lord your God, brought you out of slavery."

Salesian Perspective

The Ten Commandments served two purposes in the lives of the Israelites: it reminded them of the experience of slavery in the past at the hands of the Egyptians and it offered precepts for avoiding in the future the slavery of sin in all its forms.

Jesus brought us a New Commandment: "Love one another as I have loved you." While not "abolishing the Law and the prophets," Jesus' command to love one another makes it very clear that simply keeping the Ten Commandments alone does not meet the standard that Jesus established. In fact, Jesus frequently criticized the Scribes and Pharisees for burdening others with a slavish interpretation of the Law of Moses.

Francis de Sales certainly understood that while we must observe the commandments and counsels of God without exception, observing the commandments and counsels of God without exception is not enough for those who wish to follow the example of Jesus.

We are called to lead lives of devotion.

Francis explained: "Devotion is that spiritual agility and vivacity that enables us to do what is right and good with alacrity and affection." Christian perfection challenges us to follow the commandments and counsels of God in ways that promote "a cheerfulness and alacrity in the performance of charitable actions."

In short, it is the cheerful, enthusiastic and life-giving manner in which we do what is good that enables us to "fulfill the law and the prophets" and to make real in the lives of others the New Commandment, to "love one another."

Many people "give up" things during Lent. What a perfect time to free ourselves from the slavery of minimalism! What a perfect time to give up those affections and attitudes that prevent us from doing what is right and good in ways that are positive, cheerful and enthusiastic! What a perfect time to recommit ourselves to embracing the freedom of the sons and daughters of God by living - each and every day - Christ's New Law of Love.

Be holy. Be healthy. For God's sake (as well as for your own sake and for the sake of others) be happy!

Doing what is right is not meant to weigh us down. Doing what is right is the way of being lifted up!

Rev. Michael S. Murray, OSFS, is the Executive Director of the De Sales Spirituality Center.