Fr Kevin Kilgore

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“Peter began to say to Jesus, ‘We have given up everything and followed you” (Mark 10:28).

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I once heard a story about two monks. One was an older monk who’d spent his entire life in the monastery.

The other was a young novice, who only recently entered.

One day, the older monk asked the novice to accompany him into town, as he needed several things from the marketplace.

On the way home, the monks came across a young woman struggling to cross a river. Naturally, they went over to help her.

But back at the monastery that night, the young novice was telling the other monks about this beautiful young woman he’d met earlier in the day.

The older monk, on the other hand, acted like he’d never seen her.

Pulling the novice aside, he said to him, “I left her at the river. It seems you’re still carrying her in your heart.”

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In the Gospel, Peter reminds Jesus that he’s left everything to follow him.

And that’s true on the surface: Peter’s left his home, his family, and his job.

But like that young monk, Peter’s carrying something extra in his heart… ambition.

Remember, just a few verses earlier Jesus catches him arguing with the other disciples over who’s the greatest.

They have yet to learn that the true disciple leaves his pride at the river.

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As we prepare for Lent, the Gospel challenges us to check our own ego.

For example, how often is life about me? In what ways am I selfish, making decisions out of a desire for personal gain?

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Even Peter, who gave much away to follow Jesus, didn’t have entirely pure motives yet.

He learned, as we all must, that our pride is the most difficult thing to leave behind.

But we will not be free until we do.

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“Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it” (Mark 10:15).

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Have you ever seen a newborn child?

It’s amazing how utterly dependent babies are upon their parents for life, love, food and shelter.

But as soon as they reach the “terrible two’s,” children start thinking on their own. Even before the age of reason, they know that that toy is “mine,” not yours!

It’s the beginning of a child’s independence.

Any parent can tell you that independent streak only strengthens as children become teenagers.

And as we become adults our independence – or self-reliance – becomes even stronger.

For example, how many of us hate asking for help?

Or how many of us try shouldering life’s burdens alone?

Like a child with its toy, we say this is my problem, my stress, or even my life, not yours.

We celebrate that independent attitude Frank Sinatra sang about, “I did it my way.”

It’s a behavior we started learning as children.

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Today’s Gospel addresses that independent streak within us – a streak that may not be so healthy after all.

Jesus tells us plainly we must approach him like a newborn child, not like a strong, self-reliant adult.

If we do, then he’ll grant us the grace (you might say the milk) we need to grow stronger.

Away, then, with the self-reliant, “my way” attitude.

Whatever our prayers, our burdens, our sins or desires may be, they are not “ours.”

They belong to Jesus.

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Many of us remember the story of Pinocchio, the adorable wooden doll who could never tell the truth. Each time he lied, his nose grew bigger.

In fact, it grew so much it appeared three feet long!

Now imagine Pinocchio standing before us today, saying, “Boy, some of your noses are an inch too long. You may want to consider plastic surgery. But no worries, I know a guy.”

Meanwhile, his is three feet!

Can you sense the irony?

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If our nose grew like Pinocchio’s every time we lied, judged, or gossiped about someone else, how long would our nose be?

Would we feel comfortable when leaving the church?

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This is Jesus’ point in the Gospel: Stop judging others. Look in the mirror, instead.

Or, as he says, “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?”

It’s a very challenging point. But we can be quick to notice the faults and failures of others, without considering our own.

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In three days we will celebrate Ash Wednesday, the truth that we are dust and unto dust we shall return.

We return to dust because of our sins.

As Saint Paul says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

During this season of Lent, then, the Lord invites us to look in the mirror and admit our own imperfections.

Or, using the imagery of Pinocchio, to consider how long our nose has become.

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For example, how many of us have seen a post on Facebook meant to target and shame someone because of their race, religion, orientation, or politics?

And how many of us have laughed, liked, or even shared those images with others?

If Jesus  held us accountable for everything we’ve said or posted on social media, would there be things we’d want to delete?

Just because we disagree with someone does not mean that we should make fun of them.

Just last week Jesus commanded us to, “Love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.”

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This type of negative behavior even affects children.

They know who’s the smartest, the prettiest, the fastest, the coolest, the wealthiest, and the most popular.

And, equally, they know who is not.

Think of how often some children are bullied – judged – for being different. It hurts, it’s unfair, and it is not Christian.

“Stop judging,’ Jesus warns us,“so you will not be judged.”

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Or think about that person whom we’ve labeled as the “black sheep” in our family.

Though this person may struggle with mental health, addiction, or a series of poor choices, how much time have we spent listening, praying, or encouraging them?

Have we reached out in any way?

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The Gospel isn’t intended to shame us or make our lives difficult.

But it is meant to humble us, and challenge us to uproot those unhealthy behaviors in our lives – behaviors, which do not make us happy, and do not make the world a better place.

“I have come that you may have life,” Jesus says, “and have it in abundance.” 

We can only live life to the fullest when our hearts are free from sin, judgment, and hatred of any kind.

So where am I not bearing fruit in my life? What are the sins or behaviors that I need to stop?

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Some people around us may have a nose as long as Pinocchio’s.

But we may, too.

And that’s where our focus should be this Lent – ourselves, because the best cure for judgment is often a mirror.