”Now is a very acceptable time”

Today the Universal Church commemorates Ash Wednesday….A day to remember that no matter who we are - We are dust!…..Today is a day to fast….Fasting is important - It sharpens our prayer and opens us up to God….Fasting is not just for Ash Wednesday and Lent - Catholics should consider incorporating fasting into their weekly routines even outside of Lent & Advent…But back to Ash Wednesday…What is the plan for Lent?…..What are we trying to achieve?…..Lent is a means to an end - What I mean by that is - We do not fast for the sake of fasting - We fast to open ourselves up to grace…..And grace elevates our human nature…..Grace animates the soul and allows us to do what we can not self manufacture…But to obtain this grace, we must “make room for it”….And that is where fasting comes in…Fasting makes us vulnerable and when we are vulnerable, we cling to God - And God responds!…Today the Church reminds us…..”Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me”….Only God can forgive sin…Only God can free us from our transgressions…..The world refuses to acknowledge this reality and as a result the world around us is deeply wounded and those “wounds” project outward unto others……If only we “bend our knee” - And confess our sin Sacramentally with an open and humble heart…This is what Lent is all about…It is a time of preparation for something greater…It is a means to an end and the “end” is Easter Sunday…………One day we all will face God…Our journey on this earth will be complete….What will that encounter with God look like? - Will we be ready?…..Like any important meeting - We must prepare…Lent is a time to prepare - “Repent and Believe in Gospel”….That is what Lent is all about

“For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always: "Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight"

Lent is a opportunity to receive grace - If we take it seriously - Through our Lenten observances - When we “give God permission” to work in our life…We grow in sanctification - And that is “the name of the game” - We are not who we are supposed to be - Yet!……Life is a journey back to God - It really is nothing more then that….And like any journey, we learn as we go…..With that said - If you are not aware of “the goal” - You will not reach “the goal”……Sanctifying grace transforms us and without it we cannot become the people we were born to be……These next 40 days are an opportunity to grow in holiness…….So take this time seriously!……Don’t focus on “what you are giving up” - Focus on how what you are “giving up” is going to allow God to transform you…..And we all need to be transformed - Don’t think for a moment that you somehow “figured it all out”……”I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you so that you walk in my statutes, observe my ordinances, and keep them”……So let us begin today this 40 day journey with an unsure spirit - What does that mean? - Challenge yourself - Make yourself vulnerable……..And if you do - God will act! - And you will receive grace in the process….One more step closer to “the goal”

“A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me”

Today at Mass the readings focus on prayer, fasting and giving alms…This is the customary activities of Lent…But what about when it’s not Lent?….As Catholics we should always be praying - Do you pray daily?…We should always share our bread with the hungry - Do you give to the poor regularly? - Are you generous?….As Catholics we should always fast weekly - Do you fast every Friday?……While Lent is a more pronounced time of focusing on the activities - We should not forget to pray, fast and give alms all year around....…This is how we become a holy people…….A people “set upon a hill” - A people that become “a light to the nations”….Lent brings to our attention really what we should be doing all year round - “Repent and Believe the Gospel”……This is not just a 40 day practice - Its a 365 day a year practice!……...”Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation”…….All journeys begin with the first step - Take that first step today - And keep walking forward - Straight ahead!……”Now is a very acceptable time”…….JMJ