Readings: Jl 2:12-18; Ps 51; 2 Cor 5:20-6:2; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
[Since it is Lent, I'm fasting from providing a picture...(Lenten humor)]
Below is the corresponding article from the bulletin, which is like a summary of the homily.
Lent
The season of Lent is a time
of repentance, penance, conversion, reconciliation, healing, and preparation
for celebrating Easter. Sin damages our
relationships with God, others, and ourselves.
It is God who calls us back to Himself as He said in the first reading
on Ash Wednesday, “return to me with your whole heart.” He invites us to repent so that He can
forgive us and heal us.
We
can find that forgiveness in the Sacrament of Confession. It is there that Jesus Christ waits for
us. Through the priest we are reconciled
with God, and with the Church as well.
Once reconciled with God and others, it is easier to forgive
ourselves. Great healing can take place
in the confessional, I strongly encourage you to go to Confession this
Lent. Our regularly scheduled confessions
are Monday – Saturday at 7:30 am and on Saturday at 4 pm. We have special Lenten Confessions on March
26th and 27th at 7 pm.
Although
forgiven and reconciled with God, others, and ourselves, some effects of sin
may still remain. Like when a father
forgives his son for breaking a lamp, their relationship is restored, but the
lamp is still broken. To help heal these
wounds, the Church recommends prayer, almsgiving, and fasting. Prayer is having a conversation with
God. Speak to God as you would speak
with one of your friends talking about your day, your hopes, your failings, and
things you would like help with. Almsgiving
is presented to us to help us restore and strengthen our relationships with
others. By donating to charity, offering
forgiveness, performing works of mercy, and sharing our faith with others the
effects of sin can be overcome and harmony among us is strengthened. Fasting helps us with our relationships with
ourselves. If I can say no to myself
regarding food, drink, social media, video games, or whatever else I might
choose, then it would be easier to say no to temptations to sin and with
greater ownership of myself, I can make a more complete gift of myself to
others and to God.
Let us
experience the healing grace of God in the confessional and let us overcome the
remaining effects of sin by prayer, almsgiving, and fasting.
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