Is It Lent Yet?

Close, but we are still less than two weeks out from beginning this penitential time and this time of renewal. I ask that question because the readings for today give us a reminder that we need to prepare for this upcoming season. The first reading is from Sirach 5:1-8. It is talking about our sinfulness and it calls for us to, "Delay not your conversion to the Lord, put it not off from day to day." With the gospel, Mark 9:41-50, Jesus wants us to cut away our sin. He says that if our hand or foot causes us to sin we must cut them off or if our eye causes us to sin we must pull it out. He does not mean that literally, but he wants us to cut away all that hinders us in our relationship with God and one another. That is the beauty of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which will be an important theme during this Lenten Season. Lent is our annual reminder of what we should be doing in our lives everyday. Turning away from sin, being reconciled to God and one another, and living our call to conversion. May the words from these scripture passages speak to us and help us prepare for the journey of Lent. God Bless You!!!