Preparing Ourselves!

My prayer is that we have begun our preparation to enter Lent with an open mind and heart and allow the Lord to work in our lives in a special way. As I told the parishioners over the weekend, we need to think and pray about what we want to do this Lent, not so much what to give up, but what we can take on. Our goal is to become better persons, Catholics, and disciples. I always remind people that what we work on during Lent should not end when the season does. In fact, we need to continue that goodness at all times. Conversion is a life-long process. We are always growing in faith, holiness, prayer. I know there are some things that I need to work on in my own journey of faith. That means whether we are priests, religious, lay faithful, we are all on this journey of life, faith, and Lent together. Here is a statement to back up my opening line about entering Lent with an open mind and heart: "There were times during Jesus' ministry on earth that people flocked to be in his presence. They came to see him work signs and wonders, to experience healing and to hear his teachings. Our experience as members of the Christian community can be the same if we are willing to open ourselves to Christ's presence in our midst" (Franciscan Media, Sunday Homily Helps, Feb. 19, 2012). Let us take this time, leading up to Ash Wednesday, to prepare that we will be ready to experience God's love and the presence of the risen Christ in a special way! God Bless Our Journey!!!