If I were to tell people this weekend that Lent is coming up, most would respond along the lines of: “I better start figuring out what I’m going to give up!” It’s so ingrained in us that Lent is a time of penance, self-denial and preparation for the joy of Easter – when the Passion of Jesus is over, and we take back up what we’d gone without. While this isn’t entirely wrong, it’s not right either.
Easter and the Resurrection aren’t the story of a happy ending – they're the story of a new beginning! Lent is the time of training, practice and making ourselves light for the journey which really only begins on the other side of the Resurrection (just compare the courage of the Apostles on either side of this event). Please, do give up sinful behaviors during Lent and deny yourselves good things to build discipline! God’s invitation isn’t simply to be emptied, it is to create room to be filled with what you really need, so...add to your spiritual life this Lent and then go even further after Easter!
One opportunity for young adults (18-35) will be our Lenten Bible study on Maccabees. Father Christopher will take us through how it is that God desires us to worship Him, which is so important that the Maccabees rose in rebellion against one of the great empires of the world in order to offer right worship. This will be Tuesday’s during Lent from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at the Holy Family Rectory, with dinner and childcare provided. We’ll kick-off with a Fat Tuesday party on February 25, at the same time and location.
Parishioners not in that age group are needed to help provide childcare – an act which is more than just babysitting but helping build the Kingdom! If our young parents don’t have the space, time and investment in themselves to grow in the faith – they won’t be able to fully evangelize their children! Don’t underestimate what you can do – your greatest ability is availability!
For the Greater Glory of God,
Seminarian Jordan Boone