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By His wounds we have been healed
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February 23, 2020Ash Wednesday begins our Lenten pilgrimage of faith this week. It is a privileged time for all of us to grow in love with our Lord and to serve Him and our brothers and sisters a bit more faithfully. Last week the bulletin included a pamphlet which details a number of activities and opportunities in the parish to assist you in your spiritual journey. There are extra copies in the entrances and I encourage you to look it over and highlight a few of the events that would be beneficial to you. There are ample opportunities for prayer including daily Mass, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Stations of the Cross, and the Holy Rosary. We have numerous lectures planned and a two-day Parish Mission which takes place in early March. There are ample opportunity for confession and the “Light is On” every Wednesday night from 7-8 pm during Lent.
Lent traditionally consists of increasing our prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Try to come up with one or two things that will be sacrificial and beneficial in each area.
Prayer is our life line to our relationship with or Lord. Time each day with the Scriptures, perhaps the Gospel of the day from Mass, would be one way to get to know Christ more fully and walk with Him this Lent. Finding time to spend with our Lord in the adoration chapel would be time well spent. He is there waiting for you!
Fasting is a sacrificial spiritual discipline that has great benefit. Traditionally the Church asks us to make a sacrifice of food on Wednesdays and Fridays. This would be especially important during Lent. The Operation Rice Bowl program can be fruitful for the family by teaching our youngsters (and ourselves) that our sacrifices in the consumption of food can be given to those that don’t have enough to eat. What a beautiful way to teach and live the poverty of Christ. Eat simply on Fridays in particular, and try and go on bread and water for at least one meal. Of course, fasting from things that take away from your time with Jesus and others (especially TV and social media) is also highly recommended.
Almsgiving should be a way of life, and Lent helps to remind us of the need to give what we have received. There are so many worthy charities that need our assistance. Pray about which ones are attractive to your heart. We can also give our charitable hearts to others. There are so many lonely people and people in need of help and care. Try to remember those in your life that need your love and make a firm resolution to assist them.
Be sure to write down your spiritual plan for Lent and try and renew it each Sunday. We live in a busy world and we can easily get distracted from where Christ is calling us to serve. The Sunday renewal helps us recommit and live a fruitful Lent. Please remember to pray for all those in the parish in a particular way this Lent and know I will be praying for you!
