St. Augustine of Hippo tells us that there are two kinds of
people and two kinds of love: “One is holy, the other is selfish. One is
subject to God; the other endeavors to equal Him.” We are what we love. God
wants to free our hearts from all that would keep us captive to selfishness and
sin. “Rend your hearts and not your garments” says the prophet Joel (Joel
2:12). The Holy Spirit is ever ready to transform our hearts and to lead us
further in God’s way of truth and holiness.
Why did Jesus single out prayer, fasting, and almsgiving for
his disciples? The Jews considered these three as the cardinal works of the
religious life. These were seen as the key signs of a pious person, the three
great pillars on which the good life was based. Jesus pointed to the heart of
the matter. Why do you pray, fast, and give alms? To draw attention to yourself
so that others may notice and think highly of you? Or to give glory to God? The
Lord warns his disciples of self-seeking glory – the preoccupation with looking
good and seeking praise from others. True piety is something more than feeling
good or looking holy. True piety is loving devotion to God. It is an attitude
of awe, reverence, worship and obedience. It is a gift and working of the Holy
Spirit that enables us to devote our lives to God with a holy desire to please
him in all things (Isaiah 11:1-2).
What is the sure reward which Jesus points out to his
disciples? It is communion with God our Father. In him alone we find the fullness
of life, happiness, and truth. May the prayer of Augustine of Hippo, recorded
in his Confessions, be our prayer this Lent: When I am completely united to
you, there will be no more sorrows or trials; entirely full of you, my life
will be complete. The Lord wants to renew us each day and give us new
hearts of love and compassion. Seek him
expectantly in prayer, with fasting, and in generous giving to those in need.
The forty days of Lent is the annual retreat of the people
of God in imitation of Jesus' forty days in the wilderness. Forty is a
significant number in the scriptures. Moses went to the mountain to seek the
face of God for forty days in prayer and fasting. The people of Israel were in
the wilderness for forty years in preparation for their entry into the promised
land. Elijah fasted for forty days as he journeyed in the wilderness to
the mountain of God. We are called to journey with the Lord in a special season
of prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and penitence as we prepare to celebrate the
feast of Easter, the Christian Passover. The Lord gives us spiritual food and
supernatural strength to seek his face and to prepare ourselves for spiritual
combat and testing. We, too, must follow in the way of the cross in order to
share in the victory of Christ's death and resurrection. As we begin this holy
season of testing and preparation, let's ask the Lord for a fresh outpouring of
his Holy Spirit that we may grow in faith, hope, and love and embrace his will
more fully in our lives.
Masses on Ash Wednesday are:
9:15 am with both schools – everyone is welcome at the
school Mass
7:30 pm parish Mass
Wishing you all a prayerful Lenten season.Fr. Phil
