Well we’re just about half way through this lent. Today’s readings capture the essence of our Lenten journey, God offers us words of compassion and mercy, as well as a warning to repent and make the most of the gift of time God has us. It’s not how you begin, but how you finish your lent.  And how you finish your life. Our Second Reading, from St. Paul reminds us that God, though he is full of kindness, mercy and compassion, as we also heard in our psalm, is also a just God. Paul reminds us that there will be consequences for our behavior. He admonishes us, “whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall.” Our gospel today makes the point that life is precious and the gift of time on this earth is just that — a gift. None of us knows how much time will be granted to us, so it is an urgent reminder that Jesus poses to us that we must use this gift intentionally to glorify God and serve our neighbor.