6th Sunday in Ordinary Times

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

In a week and a half we begin Lent. Catholics of my generation or older remember when much of Lent focused on penitential practices—saying extra prayers, not eating between meals, going without candy/television/tobacco/alcohol, etc. Significant though those practices may have been, they were by and large extraneous to our day-to-day lives. With the spirit of renewal that we experienced with the Second Vatican Council, many of us didn’t quite know what to make of Lent. We thought that we ought to acknowledge Lent, but we weren’t sure how.

The traditional Lenten practices are prayer, fasting, and alms-giving. Whether it’s Lent or not, as Christians we are called to be in right relationship with God (prayer?), to live responsibly and promote a more just society (fasting?), and to reach out to those who are suffering (alms-giving?). In our hearts all of us want to observe that call, but more often than not too many distractions get in our way. We know what road is paved with good intentions.

This year we hope as a community to participate in Operation Rice Bowl, Catholic Relief Service’s response to global poverty. Operation Rice Bowl can be a way of channeling our Lenten energy. If we are open to it, our participation can allow God to change our attitudes and lifestyles. If we let that happen, Easter will be not just a date on the calendar but a true celebration of new life!

From Ash Wednesday Mass to religious education classes to simple suppers, we can support one another in responding to Christ’s call this Lent. I encourage each of you to be attentive to relevant announcements and reminders in the bulletin.


Peace and every blessing,

Loren, OFM