Of the different seasons of the entire year, the most important for us Catholics and for all Christians is the liturgical weeks of Lent. This coming Wednesday begins the season of Lent. Ash Wednesday, March 1, begins the most significant time of the year as we prepare for the Easter Triduum of Holy Week, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, and the Easter Event of the Resurrection of Christ from the dead. How we observe the days of Lent help us be spiritually and personally prepared to celebrate Easter. Masses here at St. Elizabeth Seton on Ash Wednesday will be 7:15AM; 12:05NOON and 5:30PM.
A centuries old penitential ritual is observed on Ash Wednesday. Ashes from the dried out and burnt palms from last Palm Sunday are imposed on our foreheads to remind us that as mortal and as human, we will one day die and return to the dust from which the Almighty has created us. Look at Genesis 2:7. The words said by the Priest, Deacon or Minister as they impose ashes on our foreheads are biblical: ‘Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.’ (Genesis 3:19) You will also hear: “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” (Mark 1:15) As important as it is to know that one day we will die and return to dust, it is much more important to have faith in Jesus, our Savior, who can save us from our sins and give us a life beyond the grave. The liturgical weeks and days of Lent help us reflect on our personal
relationship with Jesus and by our Lenten penances, we can grow closer to the Lord and share in his redeeming grace and his healing mercy.
One of the most regular devotions of the season of Lent is that of the Stations of the Cross, the Way of the Cross. Usually we have the Way of the Cross here at St. Elizabeth Seton on Wednesday after the 5:30PM Mass. There are many different versions of the Way of the Cross. The one we use here is Everyone’s Way of the Cross by Clarence Enzler. I heartily encourage you to come to the Way of the Cross if at all possible. But if you are unable to do so, consider praying the Stations at some other time that fits your schedule. You also may do the Way of the Cross at home at a time convenient to you and to the members of your family. Everyone’s Way of the Cross is an easy family devotion and the words relate well to our relationships, to our problems, to our challenges and to the sufferings of our
daily lives. The Lord has told us that to be his follower, we are called to take up our cross, deny ourselves and follow the Master. The more we share our daily crosses with Jesus, the closer our relationship with the Lord will be. The Savior helps us in every cross we face and enables us to be faithful to him by his grace.
The weeks of Lent offer us many opportunities for prayers, fasting and almsgiving as the Gospel of Ash Wednesday reminds us: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18. There are so many various and virtuous devotions and ‘penances’ that we can share during Lent. I encourage you to consider the following: going to daily Mass; reading the Bible each day; making visits to Church and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; praying as a family and sharing in the Rosary or Chaplet of Divine Mercy; doing the Way of the Cross; praying the litanies of the Blessed Mother, the Sacred Heart, the Saints, the Holy
Eucharist; Humility and St. Joseph; taking time to be quiet and still in Church or at home for fifteen minutes each day; doing a Journal of Gratitude; practicing the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy that were so prominent during the recent Jubilee Year of Mercy and sharing with the poor, the needy, the hungry locally or in the Missions; making some
acts of sacrifice of a favorite food, beverage or habit. During Lent 2017, be active in your prayers, be more aware of the Lord’s presence in your spiritual life and take time to make a thorough inventory and examination of your conscience before the Lord. Make a good and sincere confession during Lent and with the mercy of Jesus, may we have a clean heart and a clear conscience.
My love, gratitude, best wishes and prayers to you and to your loved ones for who you are, for all you do for the Lord and for the good of St. Elizabeth Seton Church Parish. May the inspiration of the Psalm of Mass today sustain us: “Only in God is my soul at rest; from him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed at all.” (Psalm 62:2-3)
SHALOM!
Fr. Gary
Homework for the week of February 26 – March 4
