Lent!
On February 18, Ash Wednesday arrives once again. Christians flock to Churches to receive these blessed ashes, to be smudged on their foreheads. The ritual includes a simple phrase uttered by the minister, a reminder of an enduring truth to pursue more closely a life of grace.
It is the season to be aware of our mortality, our brokenness, our sinfulness, and the longing for a more complete and fulfilling life. Lent is an invitation to start once again. It’s time to repair that which is damaged, neglected, or broken within ourselves, in our relationships with others, and most importantly in our relationship with God.
As we think about the beginnings of Lent this year, can we step back to where we once were without
reconciling where we have been? In many cases, that’s a challenging thing to do. For it seems to me the truth is we are always struggling with our mortality. We’re always making mistakes, falling down, not ending up where we hoped to be, feeling less than we really are, and at times, disappointed in ourselves and in others.
So often, when we think of sin, our perspective can be what we learned as children or teenagers. In reality, sin is about the daily choices we make about love. Jesus’ only command to us is that we are to love one another as we have been loved by Him. That explains the CROSS becoming the central symbol of the Lenten journey: it’s a story of selfless giving out of love for others. It’s a very high threshold and yet a beautiful thing to strive towards.
The church offers us three ways to live out our Lenten journey: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Once again, we need to bring those old words into our daily lives. For example, prayer is about a relationship each of us has with Jesus. Fasting is about self-sacrifice. Many will see this as the giving up of chocolate, chips, soda, or some other unhealthy vice, but I challenge you to think a little deeper. Ideally, it’s about giving up all that which interferes with living a life of love: refraining from
criticism, gossip, unkindness, impatience, selfishness, self-centeredness, and all of the behaviors that are harmful to our well-being and the well-being of others.
Almsgiving is an old phrase and it implies giving, usually financially, to those who have a handout and are in need. Obviously, that’s a good thing. In an even deeper way, almsgiving can be understood as generosity of heart manifested in respect for others, giving of ourselves and caring for others,
thoughtfulness, forgiveness, and so much more. Here, I ask you to think about our most visible ministries – Harvest on Vine Food Pantry, and our tremendous St. Vincent de Paul Society. Both do amazing work with those in need in our community.
This is a Lent to start fresh. Join us as we celebrate Ash Wednesday in our parish churches with Masses and services throughout the day. At the Parish Center on Winthrop Street, ashes and prayer materials will be available in the lobby throughout the day.
A new beginning is a good thing and is there for the taking! Please accept that offer. May each of us engage in a way unlike any other savoring the unconditional love of God and loving God in return. May God bless and be with every one of you this Lenten Season.
Collectively written by the Parish Staff