Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God. Joel 2:12-13
On Ash Wednesday, we began the season of Lent and listened to the words above, from the prophet Joel. This book of scripture presents a speech by Joel in the context of an agricultural disaster. Inadequate winter rains and a spring locust infestation have devastated grain fields, vineyards, and orchards. Joel fears that the Lord may soon deliver a death blow by withholding the rains that normally fall in the late autumn because the people carry on with business as usual, unaware that this crisis is the work of the Lord in their midst. However, Joel’s efforts to avert this crisis are successful. God hears his cry and devastation is avoided.
Joel’s call to rend one’s heart in the midst of crisis reminds me of the words of the prophet Isaiah. “This people draws near with words only and honors me with their lips alone, though their hearts are far from me.” This is where we are as a world, a nation, a church and ourselves as well. Our hearts seem far from the Lord. We may be tired and worn out from the challenges of our lives. In our longing for fulfillment, we may have developed disordered desires that leave our hearts far from the Lord. We may have simply drifted, or in the focus of caring for ourselves, we may have become self-centered and find these hearts of ours far from the Lord.
The good news is that like the prophet Joel, we are aware of the distance between our hearts and the Lord. So I invite you to join me in making this plea, “Let not our hearts be far from you O Lord.” The Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting and almsgiving help to move our hearts closer to the Lord.
In addition, participation in daily mass or adoration of the Blessed Sacrament place us at the heart of Christian life. Second, Christian service gives us what Pope Benedict XVI called “a heart which sees” where love is needed and acts accordingly. Third, any devotion to the Blessed Mother ensures that our hearts will not be far from him.
THE FOUR-P’s DAILY EXAMINATION – Some years ago while on retreat, I created a daily examination I hoped would keep me on track and faithful. I recently came across this examination among my files, and I intend to personally recommit myself to this examination during these days of Lent, and I share it with you hoping that you may adapt it for yourself.
The Four-P’s Examination of the Day
Prayerful – Did I take time for genuine prayer and not just say prayers? Did I surrender my moments of struggle to God?
Pastoral – How did I act like the Good Shepherd today? Was I simply involved in work or tasks that needed to be done, or did I attempt to be the presence of Christ for another?
Prepared – Have I taken steps to look ahead, to prepare myself for the tasks at hand or the temptations that I might face? Do I try to avoid putting myself in situations where I become overwhelmed because of procrastination?
Pure – Did I avoid temptations today? Did I make choices that were healthy physically, mentally and emotionally? Did I refrain from language or discussions that were destructive or hurtful to others?
WELCOME FR. PATRICK – We are excited to welcome home Fr. Patrick Nolan S.J. who will lead us on a three-day retreat to begin the season of Lent. Fr. Patrick is preaching at all masses this weekend, inviting us to either morning mass or an evening presentation focusing on the Jubilee Theme Journey Together in Hope. Please see the flyer in today’s bulletin for the full schedule of Fr. Patrick’s time with us.
LENTEN PRACTICES AND REGULATIONS – During the season of Lent, the Church urges the faithful to reflect a spirit of penance in their daily lives as well as committing oneself to abstinence from meat on Lenten Fridays. Those who have reached the age of 14 and older are obligated to abstain on Fridays of Lent. Those who are not specifically obliged to abstain from eating meat are urged to join in the discipline of abstaining to the extent that they are able.
OPERATION RICE BOWL – This Lent, our parish will participate in an almsgiving effort in support of Catholic Relief Services. A rice bowl is a simple cardboard box used to collect Lenten alms. Parishes, dioceses and Catholic Schools across the United States order materials to hand out to families ahead of each Lent. Families can also join if they didn’t receive a rice bowl from their parish or school by downloading a free DIY label and Lenten calendar on the Families Resource page crsricebowl.org/families. You can find more information at crs.org and crsricebowl.org.
Peace,
