Blog & Pastor Letters

Paul reminded the Corinthians, “We proclaim Christ crucified.” Christ’s weakness is stronger than any human strength. The power of the cross is greater than anything the world or evil has to combat it.

The Lenten season is one of repentance, self-denial, almsgiving, and prayer. Many in our modern world do not see any wisdom in denying themselves anything. Those swept away in a consumer culture want more and they want it faster, bigger, and better. They also are looking for easy and quick satisfaction, unwilling to wait long.

When my children were younger, they could make me laugh and sometimes cry. I would have conversations about animals, nature, outer space, and so many amazing things in life. I would play with them one day and then work to bandage a boo-boo the next. There were so many dynamics to our relationship. However, one aspect was my favorite. It was when one of them would snuggle up next to me on the couch silently, often leading to sleep. There was no better feeling, and I didn’t want to move for anything. It is crazy to think of all the things we would do together, and my favorite was when we essentially were doing nothing.

Can you believe Lent is here already? It seems like not that long ago I was decorating a Christmas tree! Time waits for no one and that is why it is important to make a mindful commitment now to not let this Lenten season pass you by. It is a great time to focus on growing as an everyday steward. The temptations are always there to procrastinate or to give in to spiritual laziness, but the Church’s observation of Lent offers us so many tools to help us get on track. Increased devotions such as Stations of the Cross, various parish missions, or Lenten-focused literature are all gifts that your parish may be offering to assist you in this season.

One day, my son was explaining to his mother that he felt she had lied to him. It was nothing very important, but he wanted to take this opportunity to share how important telling the truth is to him. He explained that he simply tells it like it is in all aspects of his life. But an hour later, we caught him in a lie! Again, it was not about a matter of life and death, but it was a lie. When confronted with his own previous words on how important the telling the truth was to him, he just smiled. Yes, the guilty often have no words of defense.

When a new store or restaurant opens in the area, there can be quite a buzz. People want to see what the place is like. If the establishment is lucky, a positive word of mouth can spread all over the area. The challenge then becomes keeping that buzz alive. If people start to think that the new place is not as good as advertised or they had hoped, the crowds will dwindle and soon the new place will simply become an old place. Even worse, it could become a closed place.

Sometimes I wonder what this world will look like when my children get to be my age. Everything seems to be changing so rapidly and much of that change doesn’t seem to be for the good. I do think in some ways the Church is experiencing resurgence and a strengthening, but it will have to be in the face of an increasing culture of atheism and selfishness.