A Word from our Priest-in-Charge

Bless God who forgives all our sins,

Lent has for centuries been associated with entering our own wilderness journey. The desert is a theme highlighted by the Gospel story from Mark, Matthew, and Luke telling of Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan and then propelled into the desert to face temptations. It is customary to hear this story on the First Sunday of Lent and has become a way for the faithful to image our time in Lenten disciplines. The whole import of this is centered in practicing more intentionally how we turn more fully toward God (the meaning in Greek for repentance), as we enter into the desert to willingly face our temptations.

Lent is not intended to be a time to ‘suffer for sufferings sake,’ but it is a time to willingly and intentionally align ourselves more and more to God. Lent is a time to be reassessing our temptations, maybe even encounter new temptations, all so that we can align ourselves more toward God. Lent is a time for remembrance, to draw more upon what the tradition called the memory of God.

So, drawing upon the memory of God, we can fully enter the desert to face our temptations, knowing fully that God is ministering to us and we are not separated from the love of God. We know this because as we enter the desert, God sends messengers, angels, wild beasts and many others to remind us we are never alone or isolated from a loving and forgiving God.

So be brave and courageous this Lent in repenting, turning toward God, as you align yourself more and more toward God.

Peace
Fr. Doug