Dear Parishioners,
Consider me strange, but I am actually looking forward to the
beginning of Lent. I see it as a special time to be introspective, to think about where I am
right now in my relationship with Jesus, and to attempt to make some positive changes that I hope will result in a growth in holiness.
Traditionally, the practices recommended during this season
are prayer, fasting and almsgiving
(charity).
How can I pray better?
I can begin by finding and keeping a set time each day to pray. (My own preference is praying in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.) I also should be reading and reflecting daily
on the Sacred Scriptures, praying the Rosary, making the Stations of the Cross and reading an
inspiring Catholic book regularly. When I am driving in the car, if I do not take advantage of some quiet, I like to
put on an informative or uplifting Catholic talk or discussion to listen to while driving. It certainly beats the garbage that we often
find on the radio.
Fasting includes food but should go beyond simply not eating. The only two
fast days (one simple meal) required by the Church during Lent are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Ash Wednesday
and all the Fridays of Lent are also days of abstinence (no meat).
However, we can also fast from things like the TV, the computer/internet,
video games, the radio, from smoking or drinking, from superfluous shopping,
etc. In essence, we can do without—make an act of self-denial—and try to incorporate into our
lives something more spiritually beneficial.
How charitable am
I? Do I regularly contribute to and support
my church? Do I have some other favorite charity to
which I give? Do I volunteer my time or
my skills to help others without seeking
compensation or recognition? Do I call (or visit?) the sick or the
elderly? Do I think of others more than myself?
The practices that I observe for Lent can really become an
opportunity to change my way of living.
I can incorporate more permanently various ways of behaving that open my
heart and my life more completely to God.
I can turn my life over to Jesus
and take up my cross daily and follow Him. (See Luke 9:23)
I realize that I am a sinner continually in need of the mercy of God. Like all humans (except Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary, of course!), my life has not been without
sin. I am not proud of this. Therefore, I should seriously consider some acts
of penance during Lent in reparation for my sins. Making a thorough, heartfelt sacramental confession is a good way to
start.
We should be spiritually mature enough to realize that the
more we keep trying and letting God control our lives, the more we open
ourselves to His grace of conversion. Conversion
is a lifelong process of turning away
from sin and turning towards the
Gospel message.
On Ash Wednesday, when the ashes are sprinkled on our heads (yes, there is another change this year),
do we actually intend to change, or is this just an act of empty show? Only God knows what’s in our hearts and how
much we really do love Him.
Please make this Lent a
time of deep, spiritual conversion.
Fr. Ed Namiotka
Pastor
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