The Joyful Season of Lent
Each year you give us this joyful season when we prepare to celebrate the Paschal Mystery with mind and heart renewed. You give us a spirit of loving reverence for you, Our Father, and of willing service to our neighbor.
-First Preface for Lent
Last night at our parish I celebrated Mardi Gras by hearing confessions for two hours. It was amazing to see so many people come out on a rainy night to prepare for Lent with the sacrament of reconciliation. One might have seen the line and thought to themselves, “Wow! That parish is full of sinners!” To think so would be correct for any parish as Christians are, by definition, sinners. But what is missing is the fact that I got to spend two hours with people who not only know they are sinners, but who know that God is merciful and that this is something to be joyful about.
Lent is by definition a joyful season, because of the joy that comes in leaving behind sin and returning to God. Every year we have the opportunity to recognize the ways that we have been estranged from God and begin our lives again as Christians. Best of all, we do so together in order that we can support one another in the process. May this be the first day of allowing God’s grace to renew our hearts and minds, so that we can turn again to Him and to serve Him in our brothers and sisters.
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