Lent

We enter into the mystery of Holy Week, beginning with Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem. The Church invites us to recall through prayer the culmination of His earthy mission. Throughout his ministry, Jesus did life-changing miracles: healing, raising individuals from the dead, and inviting the Jewish and Gentile communities to think differently and to approach God in a new way.
This week we have the opportunity to relive the ultimate purpose of his mission: to die on the cross for humanity and to recognize the cross is not an instrument of death. Instead, the cross has the potential to lead us into new life. Blessed are we who have faith that does not end on Good Friday.

As Christians, our genuine worth comes from our relationship with Jesus, who constantly invites us to be in a relationship with a loving God, who sacrificed His Son on our behalf. I hope you appreciate the little story about the donkey as much as I did when I read it earlier this week:

An interesting as well as challenging old fable tells of the colt that carried Jesus on Palm Sunday. The colt thought that the reception was organized to honor him. “I am a unique donkey!” this excited animal might have thought. When he asked his mother if he could walk down the same street alone the next day and be honored again, his mother said, “No, you are nothing without Him who was riding you.” Five days later, the colt saw a huge crowd of people in the street. It was Good Friday, and the soldiers were taking Jesus to Calvary. The colt could not resist the temptation of another royal reception. Ignoring the warning of his mother, he ran to the street, but he had to flee for his life as soldiers chased him and people stoned him. Thus, the colt finally learned the lesson that he was only a poor donkey without Jesus to ride on him. As we enter Holy Week, today’s readings challenge us to examine our lives to see whether we carry Jesus within us and bear witness to Him through our living or are we Christians in name only.

On behalf of Monsignor Brennan, Deacon Lou and the parish staff, I hope you make the time to join us in prayer as we relive the last week of Jesus earthly life.

Blessings, Father Brian

"Lent is marked by two themes, the baptismal and the penitential. By recalling or preparing for baptism and by repentance, this season disposes the faithful, as they more diligently listen to the word of God and devote themselves to prayer, to celebrate the paschal mystery." Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 109

"The season of Lent is a preparation for the celebration of Easter. The liturgy prepares the catechumens for the celebration of the paschal mystery by the several stages of Christian initiation: it also prepares the faithful, who recall their baptism and do penance in preparation for Easter." General Norms for the Liturgical Year, 27

By the threeefold discipline of fasting, almsgiving and prayer the Church keeps Lent from Ash Wednesday until the evening of Holy Thursday.

"Lent is a favorable time for opening the doors to all those in need, and recognize in them the face of Christ." Pope Francis

"Do you wish your prayer to fly toward God? Give it two things: fasting and almsgiving."
St. Augustine