First Sunday of Lent
Dear Parishioners,
Mark the evangelist was a man of few words. He does not write differently when he describes Jesus’ temptation in the desert. I find it interesting that the gospel says the Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert. It sounds like Jesus did not have a choice. He was going to be challenged one way or another. The desert is not simply a physical place, but it is a spiritual reality for every human being.
At times, we have choices we have to make. We can choose to acquire more material things than we can ever use or to share what we with those in most need. We have the option of speaking the truth even when it might be a truth that others might not want to hear. We can choose to try to climb the ladder of personal success even when it means that we step all over everyone else. Each time we make a choice, like those just mentioned, we can understand what Jesus was going through when he was tempted in the desert.
We can let the Spirit drive our choices or we can choose based on what we believe everyone else does. When we make a choice based on spiritual values, we know, for such a choice has ramifications. Our life in this world may be a little more difficult.
Lent is a time to reflect on the choices we make. It is a time to reorient our values. Lent is a time to grow in virtues like courage and fortitude. As Christians we want to move with the Spirit. The penances of Lent remind us of the price we pay when we follow Jesus. We also are reminded of the grace we receive when we choose rightly.
Blessings,
Fr. Mark
P.S. We will be putting in our new speakers and having major work done on our sound system the week of February 19th-23rd. In the middle of the week, we will probably be using a temporary sound system for our daily Masses. The church will also be unavailable at certain times. The workers will be in church at late hours, so they can get done as soon as possible. In the end it should all be worth it as we have a greater sound quality.
Catholic Leadership Training
We will be having our second leadership training day on March 3rd. It will last approximately 8 hours. This day is a response to our strategic plan and its call to develop new leaders in our parish. Anyone is invited to attend. If you think you would like to benefit from being more active in the parish or you want some spiritual formation regarding leadership, please give Denise Maynard, our parish council president, a call. We can only take 20 people and we have about five spots left. Denise’s number is 762-3227.