Filling In For Father… by Erin O’Leary

“Be holy.”  “Be perfect.”  Today’s readings give us a clear and challenging direction for how we are to live.  How do we carry this out?  The readings tell us- We love God and love others and pray for others- even our enemies.  We treat our bodies as the temples of God that they are.  Not so simple!

Fortunately we have some help and guidance coming. 

The Season of Lent is almost here- it begins this week on Ash Wednesday and starts our season of reflection and self-improvement.  This does not mean that we need to feel shameful or down because we have things to work on.  It means that because we love God, we want to be our best selves and the Church highlights this during the Season of Lent.

In Lent, we are called to give more, pray more and give up things that stand in the way of being our best selves.  We are called to build some new or better spiritual and physical habits and connect with the love of God deep within.

At Holy Name, we’ll be offering some things to assist you with your Lenten journey.  We begin with Ash Wednesday Masses at 10:15 a.m. and 7 p.m.  We continue with our annual Lenten GIFT on March 1 (9:15-10:50) that will focus on the Mass and how we “do this in memory of Jesus.”  Finally, on Sunday mornings, Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings during Lent, we offer a chance to either reflect on/discuss the Lenten Scriptures or to explore the Gospel of Matthew in a video telling that uses only the words of the Gospel to portray the story.  (Details are on line or in the back of church.)  These chances to take time out of our regular schedule and to connect more deeply with God and others can help us be holy and build those new habits.  We encourage you to participate and to pick up individual Lenten reflection materials in the back of church as well. 

May Lent be a blessing to you!