We are at the beginning of the holy season of Lent. Let us enter into the disciplines of this holy season. These three disciplines assist in that metanoia, that spiritual turning away from sin and turning toward the Lord and his Way of being human.
The first discipline of Lent: To intensify our prayer. The Catechism of the Catholic Church instructs us in the spiritual relationship of prayer, quoting a Doctor of the Church, St. Thérèse of Lisieux. The Little Flower says that for me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward Heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy; and the Catechism goes on to say that humility is the foundation of prayer. Let us intensify our relationship with the Lord God, through personal prayer, through prayer with family and friends and through liturgical prayer (the sacraments, the Stations of the Cross). To that end, please make sure that you mark three dates in your calendar for the month of March. These are dates for prayer-filled participation:
We are at the beginning of the holy season of Lent. Let us enter into the disciplines of this holy season. These three disciplines assist in that metanoia, that spiritual turning away from sin and turning toward the Lord and his Way of being human.The first discipline of Lent: To intensify our prayer. The Catechism of the Catholic Church instructs us in the spiritual relationship of prayer, quoting a Doctor of the Church, St. Thérèse of Lisieux. The Little Flower says that for me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward Heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy; and the Catechism goes on to say that humility is the foundation of prayer. Let us intensify our relationship with the Lord God, through personal prayer, through prayer with family and friends and through liturgical prayer (the sacraments, the Stations of the Cross). To that end, please make sure that you mark three dates in your calendar for the month of March. These are dates for prayer-filled participation:
- This Wednesday, the 4th of March at 5 PM. We will host the Archbishop for a short blessing of our ground and an initial ground-breaking for our new worship space! EVERY CHILD. EVERY TEEN. EVERY ADULT!
- On Thursday, the 12th of March at 7 PM, please come and join me in witnessing the one-man production of Mark's Gospel LIVE, performed by Fr. Joseph Morris (www.gospelofmark.us), a priest of the Archdiocese. What a wonderful Lenten event for all, to witness the greatest story ever told.
- On the 23rd of March at 7 PM, please join me at our Lenten Penance Service. Priests from our deanery will be here to assist you in the beautiful Sacrament of the Lord's healing. Join us in this moment of metanoia.
The second discipline of Lent: to take up the bodily prayer of fasting. During this holy season, we are called to intensify our discipleship, our following of the Lord Jesus, through every means available to us. The bodily prayer of fasting (doing without food for a period of time) as well as the Lenten abstinence from meats and other rich foods allows us another way of seeking the Lord. All of you know that I need to do some dieting; but ego-driven dieting has nothing to do with Christ-centered fasting. To fast... to change our way of being "full", is to follow the saints of the Church, in a desire for intimacy with the One who makes us whole. The Catholic Church of 2009 must recover the spiritual power of fasting.
The third discipline of Lent: almsgiving, and the works of mercy. To follow Jesus of Nazareth is to follow him... to live as he lived (and lives)... to give of yourself, to give of your time and your talents and your treasure... knowing that generosity is a hallmark of the Lord God! GIVE... and realize how good it is...
***
Please know that both Fr. Armando and I will be available for the parish's Saturday afternoon offering of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. We both will be available, as often as we are able (depending on emergencies, other parish responsibilities and scheduled times away from the parish). We will seek to begin assisting you in this prayer at 3 PM, though this will vary, depending on other scheduled liturgical prayer in the church. Please know that we will conclude the period of confessions at or about 4:30 PM. You are always welcome to call or contact us, in order to schedule a time other than what is offered on Saturday morning (8 to 9 AM) and Saturday afternoon (3 to 4:30 PM). I encourage everyone reading this column to re-commit yourself to the practice confessing your need of the Savior, in the sacrament of His Presence. Come and see of the mercy of the Lord.
AMDG 
Msgr. David Talley
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|