Greetings,
As we continue on our Lenten journey this weekend, let us take stock in those times when we have not always done what God has wanted us to do. Remember that the purpose of Lent is not to earn forgiveness, not to become a spiritual giant, but to simply right the wrongs we’ve done.
The forty days of Lent in the church’s liturgical calendar are meant for us to go out into our own deserts… just as Jesus did before us and to learn how to overcome temptation, sin and evil.
This is a special time of the year for the Catholic Church for many reasons.
Not only do we learn to battle against those things that would lead us astray in the depths of our hearts but we also help those around us… especially the unbaptized and those from other religious faiths to come to know the truth that God has given us through our Catholic faith. This year at both parishes we have three RCIA candidates. They have come to know and believe that God wants them to enter into our Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.
I have already called the three of them forward during The First Sunday of Lent Mass to ask for their sponsor’s approval that they continue their journey into our Catholic Faith. Each of them has a remarkable story of God’s unconditional love and grace filling their lives. I began the RCIA classes late last September asking each of them to feel free to ask your teacher and me, the priest, the most difficult questions that they could think of. And to not be easily satisfied with the answer. Remembering that God, Himself, will in some way communicate to them in the depths of their hearts the reality of what our Catholic Church truly is. That from their teachers, fellow Catholics, me the priest/pastor that there can be no pressure. That I will share my faith with conviction, openly and honestly, even enthusiastically… but that ultimately, the candidate or catechumen has to have the freedom to either accept or reject what is being taught. Love has to be offered freely without pressure, to be either accepted or rejected. There can be no pressure. God does not pressure us and so we, in imitation of God must do the same with each other. Any good question that comes from the heart with sincerity, will only lead the catechumen and candidate into a deeper understanding of the core of our beliefs. That it is God, that it is love at the center of our Catholic Faith. And the more we research and look into its teaching, the more we experience and discover an unconditionally loving God who wants us all to share eternal life with Him. That we are all made good, in His image and likeness, that we are all children of God.
But that also there is an incredibly intense battle raging all around us. That of good verses evil.
We have watched these three candidates witness to us their faith. When they came forward at the 10:30am Mass at St. Boniface, they revealed to us God’s communication to them in their hearts about our Catholic Faith. The Church in all its wisdom then sent these candidates to the Cathedral or the Basilica with all of the other catechumens and candidates from around the archdiocese. There will be thousands coming into our local church this Easter Vigil. Tens of thousands nationally, perhaps hundreds of thousands worldwide. We don’t hear that too often in the media. God is working everywhere and we as good Catholics are to be good examples and witnesses to our faith for those who are searching or are confused. We are to be the light of the world as Jesus challenges us in the gospels. Jesus was tempted in the desert by the evil one. What happened to Jesus will surely happen to us, if we are true followers. Remember that we all were in bondage to sin, most of us still fall into it from time to time. But that Jesus has come into the world, not to condemn it but to save it. And that we, through our sorrow for sins, our trust and confidence in a God who loves us, are restored to righteousness. That we can have a renewed appreciation of God’s goodness and graciousness. And have a renewed dedication to follow the commandments of Jesus. And so this Lenten season, I would like to ask everyone to consider these following questions…
-In what ways was I in bondage to sin and selfishness?
-In what ways am I still?
-How have I wandered confused, uncertain, or even lost?
-Do I maintain faith in God’s grace even in spiritually dark times?
-What liberation and source of joy would I like to experience during the Easter season?
Remember that Good Friday always comes before Easter Sunday. We are all called to offer up our sacrifices and prayers for each other in this life in order to enjoy eternal life in the next.
Peace, Fr. Tom