Lent Preparation

Dear sisters & brothers in Christ,

I first want to thank all of you who supported our “Soup & Chili Cook-off,” all of you who competed (congratulations to our winners), all those who donated a desert or something for the auction, all of you who set- up or cleaned up, all of you who worked the event, and of course, everyone who came and enjoyed the fun and contributed to our Mission Trip. If you missed it, but would still like to support our Mission Trip to Baldwin, Michigan, Michelle will be happy to receive any and all contributions.

The season of Lent is fast approaching. Lent conjures up different things for different people. For most Catholics it is a season of repentance, of fasting and sacrifice. For many, their primary focus is on giving something up for 40 days. For others it all about “fish-fries,” or 2-for-1 specials on McDonald’s fish sandwich. For parish staff and liturgical leaders it’s a very busy season filled with prayer services and sacramental classes. Just as with Advent, Lent can become so busy that we forget its main purpose... preparation. The whole reason we repent of our sins, and make sacrifices (such as eating those McDonald fish sandwiches) is so we can prepare ourselves for Paschal Sacrifice and the wondrous gift of The Resurrection.

We begin Lent by hearing the cry of John The Baptist, “Make straight the pathway to our God!” We are to re- move any obstacle in our lives that would hinder us on our journey, ...anything that would stand between us and our Lord. We are to drop the excess baggage that distracts us and weighs us down. Like the Israelites during their flight from slavery, we must be able to move quickly, and follow our Lord wherever He leads us. As we do this, we are also called to make ourselves better examples of Christ, not just for 40 days, but for the rest of our lives.

So as you contemplate your Lenten prayer, sacrifice and alms-giving, instead of simply giving up something you like for 40 days, consider giving up something in your life that is not of Christ. Instead of just giving it up for 40 days, give it up for the rest of your life. Instead of giving up chocolate, give up gossip. Instead of giving up golf, give up judging other people. Instead of thinking of Lent as a 40-day-diet program, see it as a chance to become a better person, a better Christian. When Easter arrives your Lord will greet you and say, “well done my good and faithful servant, well done!”

In the Redeemer, Fr. Rick