Do Something Unusual.

Today’s readings call us into a deeper, more intentional obedience to the Lord, an obedience that is not half-hearted, not convenient, but wholehearted and courageous. In the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses reminds the people: “Be careful to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul.” The covenant between God and His people is not casual. It is not symbolic. It is a living agreement. God promises to be their God, and they promise to walk in His ways. Obedience, therefore, is not merely about following rules; it is about fidelity to a relationship. It is about belonging to God. Psalm 119 says: “Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord.” Happiness, in God’s vision, is not found in independence from Him but in joyful submission to His will. Yet this obedience must be diligent. The psalmist longs: “Oh, that I might be firm in the ways of keeping your statutes!” Even the desire to obey is a grace we must ask for. Then in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus stretches obedience beyond what is comfortable. He says, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” This is where the theme becomes clear: Do something unusual. Anyone can love those who love them back. Anyone can greet their friends warmly. But disciples of Christ are called to go further, to go the extra mile. Jesus challenges us: “If you greet your brothers and sisters only, what is unusual about that?” In other words, where is the difference? Where is the mark of divine sonship? The Christian life must look different. It must reflect the Father who lets His sun rise on the good and the bad alike. Lent is a “very acceptable time,” as Saint Paul says. It is the day of salvation. Now is the moment to examine our obedience. Do we obey only when it suits us? Do we love only when it is easy? Or are we willing to do something unusual—to forgive first, to apologize first, to pray for someone who hurt us, to show kindness when it is undeserved? To obey the Lord fully means going beyond the minimum. It means loving beyond justice into mercy. It means praying not only for blessings but for the strength to imitate the Father’s perfection. Holiness is not mediocrity. It is courageous love. Today, the Lord invites us to renew our covenant with Him, not with fear, but with commitment. Let us not settle for ordinary goodness. Let’s go the extra mile. Let us love the difficult person. Let us choose mercy over resentment. That is how we become “a people sacred to the Lord.” That is how we truly do something unusual.