Pastor’s Notes

Happy Lent!   Does that greeting sound weird?  Should Lent be happy or does that come with the next season?  “Gazillions” showed up for Ash Wednesday at the Basilica.  It was awkward trying to explain to people why we use palm ashes from last year’s Palm Sunday. Why do we use ancient words like “Remember you are dust and into dust you shall return” or “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”  Different ministers used their preferred invitation to Lent.  The diversity of our crowds and celebration had its own beauty.  What do you say to greet people in this somber season? “May you have an easy and meaningful fast!“ is a Jewish greeting for “Yom Kippur, their day of Atonement.

Some asked why we veiled the cross for this Lent and Passion Week.  Others wanted to know how do Catholics fast these days?   “Almost everybody, even non-Christians, knows that Lent is about … conversion from sin to a more authentic Christian life,” says Fr. Lawrence Mick.  I like to phrase it differently. It is about conversion to a more credible Baptismal life.  To make our Baptisms radiant with gospel witness what we need to do, what do we need to stop doing? And do we need to do it in a different kind of way? These days that takes a lot of courage and stamina.  I like the word “ganas” in Spanish.  It means bold, from the gut and passionate.  Imagine a faith with this quality.   

The story of Adam and Eve from Genesis recalls Adam’s sin and the ways we humans missed the mark since then. The Gospel recounts the temptations that Jesus faced in the wilderness, but he did not miss the mark. Sin was nudged aside.  A passionate loving Son of God took its place – a humanity sacred with God’s favor.

St. Paul acknowledges in the second reading from Romans that despite our sins “how much more did the grace of God in Jesus Christ overflow for the many.”  Grace  …overcomes the power of sin and enables us “to live in freedom as the children of God.”  That is Lent’s destination—the freedom of the children of God.

Lent’s weeks are not to feel terrible about ourselves and to stoke fear in God’s wrath. Repentance is a 180-degree change in our lives to recommit ourselves to living according to our baptismal promises.  Only God’s grace can pull that off.  

We congratulate our catechumens with the “Rite of Sending” today.  Their Ritual of Election will be celebrated later with the bishop at the cathedral. We pray for them, their sponsors and catechists.  Friday’s confessions and Stations of the Cross were moving. 5PM Sunday Lenten Vespers are beautiful gift to the season. Mark your calendars for our Parish mission led by our former parishioner and recently professed Franciscan Sister, Sr. Eileen Ripsin on “The Gospel of Abundant Life ” on Friday March 13^th 7PM, Saturday March 14^th 7PM and Sunday Evening Prayer 5PM on Sunday March 15^th.  Simple meals and Lenten receptions will be provided.

A gentle week,
Fr. Michael Weldon, OFM