Cathedral family,
This weekend, we are on the cusp of the Great Season of Lent. It seems to come upon us so quickly, yet here it is: our great opportunity to hear the gospel call to conversion new and fresh! So, in a sense there is no better time than right now. What are we waiting to save our zeal for?
The beautiful thing about Lent is that it brings out the very best in us---if we let it. God is not more present during these upcoming days---but He, for sure, pours out special grace on this privileged time—because the whole Church is asking----we look at our collective lives and respond---“Oh Lord, we have sinned.” The season calls us out of our complacency to the radical nature of being a disciple. A disciple is someone who has decided to place their whole life under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The ongoing work of being aligned under His reign is the daily work of discipleship---taking up our cross and following Him. If we are honest, we may all see the times we have not been consistent, or fully committed, to hearing His voice. Not only that, but maybe we have activated resistances within ourselves or avoided Him altogether---tuning out of prayer, not attending Mass with an open heart, or allowing compromises in our moral life. Most importantly, we must seek to recover a contrite heart and healed soul in His Holy presence.
This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, and Lent will officially begin. We have a few days to ponder, pray and consider what we will do for increased penance. Do seek to give something up, but not for the sake of giving it up to prove how strong you may be---but rather to allow us to feel our weakness and our need for God. It would be great to commit to attending Holy Mass every day. Perhaps it is not possible---but it is a time honored practice of all the saints to participate in Holy Mass as often as possible, receive the Eucharist in the state of grace, and go for a confession of sins to a priest.
We will have other opportunities for spiritual growth. The Women’s Bible Study will begin and the Men on Mission will be meeting every Saturday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. It is a meaningful way for men of the parish to encounter Christ in the Word and in a community of faith-filled men. Additionally, I will be giving some spiritual talks throughout Lent in the evenings.
There is also the great practice of Stations of the Cross. I encourage everyone to attend at least one Stations of the Cross on a Friday night, if not every Friday night. It is a perfect way to introduce children to the mystery of Jesus’ great love for us.
Before all of this takes place---we should have fun celebrating Mardi Gras---Fat Tuesday. We will have a special treat for those who attend the Tuesday morning 8 a.m. Mass!
In the peace of Jesus,
Father Christy