Message from Our Pastor

March 7 , 2010

Dear Friends in Christ:

During Lent we use Cycle A for the readings as the Church invites us to have rituals for our Elect, those to be baptized, at the Easter Vigil. We call to mind the darkness and evil that is so obvious in our world and ask Christ that our Elect be set free from darkness and receive the grace of openness for Baptism. These Gospel stories of the man born blind, the woman at the well and Lazarus are so concrete and such miracle signs of the presence of Christ in the here and now. There isn’t any one of us that is not longing for a more clear experience of the presence of Christ in the here and now. This is not just the challenge of our Elect and those Candidates to be received into full communion in the church, but all of us need to know Christ in the here and now in the beginning and every step of the way.

Lent is an opportunity to take an honest look at our ways of being closed and ask for the grace to be opened up to the presence of Christ, NOW! I offer this simple reflection about fasting and what to give up. Recall, I suggested we might focus on fasting or giving up something different each week during Lent. This is not about a project to be completed or accomplished but a change of heart that happens in the here and now of everyday life.

Allow your heart to be available to some decisions that bring new life to your way of BEING!

Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from words that pollute; feast on words that purify.
Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.
Fast from facts that depress; feast on verities that uplift.
Fast from problems that overwhelm; feast on prayer that strengthens.

What to give up...

Give up complaining...focus on gratitude.
Give up pessimism...become an optimist.
Give up harsh judgments...think kindly thoughts
Give up discouragement...be full of hope.
Give up bitterness...turn to forgiveness.
Give up hatred...return good for evil.
Give up negativism...be positive.
Give up anger...be more patient.
Give up pettiness...become mature.
Give up gloom...enjoy the beauty that is all around you.
Give up jealousy...pray for trust.
Give up gossiping...control your tongue.
Give up sin...turn to virtue.
Give up giving up...hang in there!

I am in South Africa this weekend and returning this week.

A blessed Lent,

Father Jerry Mahon
Pastor