Dear Parishioners,
As I have said many times
before, I actually look 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 and diocese? 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 placed on our foreheads reminding us both of our own mortality and the call to do penance, 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 attempt to make
this Lent a time of deep, spiritual conversion.
Fr. Ed Namiotka
Pastor
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