Lenten Journey

With the Lenten Season fast approaching, we must be mindful of the fact that as devout Confirmed Catholics we are obliged by canon law (920) to receive the Holy Eucharist once a year during the Easter Season: Ash Wednesday through Trinity Sunday. This requires all penitents to humbly visit their church confessional with a contrite heart if grave sin has been committed during the past year.

It is common among tepid Catholics to believe that every sin they have committed is venial in nature. They are further convinced that those who confess mortal sins are victims of scrupulous behavior. This is a subject that most priests will not preach on for apparent reasons. If a congregation is living in error should their shepherd correct them? The answer is yes as Paul writes in 1 Timothy 5:20 "As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear." St. John Vianney, model of parish priests, did not mince words when preaching to his congregation. It is true that he lived in a radically different century, but the evils remain the same.

Confession is not an act to be feared, but a sacrament to be loved. There are numerous reasons why the faithful shun confession. None of them, including the above, are endorsed by the Church. In contrast, it is better to make our Lenten journey as fruitful as possible by going to confession and asking for forgiveness. The rewards are as great as the mercy our Father bestows on us. No priest will burden you with a penance beyond your means and the joy you will experience is wonderful.

Therefore, the forty days of Lent should incorporate confession along with almsgiving, fasting and prayer in whatever order suits your needs. Jesus gave us spiritual examples to follow during his 40 days in the desert. One lesson He taught was that temptation can be combatted with persistent fasting and prayer. So become steadfast in your resolution to turn away from near occasions of sin. With regard to almsgiving, it has always been an act of charity perpetually linked to Lent since the early church. This is understood by denying ourselves something of value and giving it to those in need. St Augustine preached that almsgiving and fasting were sure means in our petitions to God.

The human condition allows each one of us latitude in dealing with the good and bad in our daily behavior. This is the natural law God has given us in free will. To step away from temptation or allow ourselves to be plunged into evil. Now evil is a strong word, but anything that is not pleasing to God is evil. Adam and Eve disobeyed God which opened their eyes to their evil nature. Satan's triumph was not overlooked by Jesus when he said "The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!" Matthew 6:22-23.

So this Lent become a devout penitent in the Catholic tradition and take advantage of the sacraments the Church offers in Jesus' name. In this season of Septuagesima (Pre-Lent) prepare to give up the old habits and adopt an amendment of change. First, treasure the soul over the body. Second, show compunction for past deeds through voluntary penance and third, adopt charitable acts that demonstrate true remorse for past sins.

Brother Mordecai