Lent
+m
Dear St. Charles Borromeo Family and all Friends in Christ,
Last Sunday, in the Gospel for the first Sunday of Lent, the account in Luke’s Gospel of the Temptation of Jesus in the desert, Jesus responded to each of the temptations of the devil with a quote from the Scriptures. Responding to the first temptation to turn a stone into bread to satisfy his hunger, Jesus says, quoting from the Book of Deuteronomy, “One does not live on bread alone.” The continuation of that line from Deuteronomy is, “but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” This Sunday, we are given the account of the Transfiguration of Jesus. After seeing Jesus in glory speaking with Moses and Elijah (who represent the Scriptures, the Law and the Prophets respectively), the disciples Peter, John, and James hear the voice of God the Father say, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” At that point, the disciples find Jesus alone and are silent. Lent is always a call to conversion - a time to address the temptations in our life that keep us from following the Lord more closely. How do we hear that call to conversion, deepen our relationship with Jesus, and receive the strength to resist temptation unless we spend time in prayer with the Word of God and listen to Him?
During the announcements at the end of Mass last Sunday, I made this suggestion as an easy way to spend more time with the Scriptures and listen to Jesus’ voice: if you cannot attend daily Mass, subscribe to the parish Facebook or YouTube channel and watch or listen to the daily Mass that is streamed from St. Charles. It is live at 6:45 a.m. (Monday - Friday) and at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, but is also recorded and available anytime to replay. The readings and the homily together would take less than 10 minutes to hear. I encourage everyone to take some “alone time” with Jesus every day. Be silent with the Lord and listen to his voice. See what ten minutes a day will do. Who cannot give up 10 minutes each day to spend with the Lord? When you have your morning coffee? On your commute to work? Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray (Lk 9:28). Let Jesus take you up with him in prayer for a little bit each day and see how you become more “fully awake” to his presence in your life. You may be surprised how just ten minutes each day listening to God’s word can change you and give you a glimpse into the life of the Resurrection.
I pray that this Lent will be a time of spiritual enlightenment for us as we journey to Easter together. The darkness in the world becomes terrifying if the Lord is not our light and our salvation. To whose voice are we listening to the most? Give your ear to the Lord a little bit each day and see how his word becomes a light for your path. I take you and your intentions with me to the altar each day and ask that you remember me and your St. Charles family in your prayers. May God bless you and grant you his peace!
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Forlano
Pastor
Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Follow us on Facebook.
Watch the Mass live on our parish website.