February 23, 2021
Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
As I suggested last week, there is a tried and tested method used for thousands of years for renewal in the Lenten season. It is called prayer, fasting and almsgiving. These three conditions of renewal are still as valid today as they were centuries ago.
Prayer leads to an awareness of where we need to change. This awareness then calls for putting away of negative elements in our behavior (we call that fasting). This in turn calls forth a new way of relating to others which is concretely expressed in almsgiving. So let me, briefly, explore and unpack the meaning and intention of these three Lenten elements of a formula for spiritual growth.
Prayer: When we pray, we put ourselves consciously in the presence of the One who knows us in the most intimate possible way. We are our most natural selves when we pray. We are vulnerable and need to be honest and open to God and ourselves. We are in a genuine meeting with God. And since we are at our most natural selves, it is then that we have the best chance of really knowing who we are. With nothing to hide, we can look at our relationships and our behaviors in a completely honest and transformative way.
Fasting: Through prayer we see ourselves clearly in the presence of the living God, then we have a real chance of making changes. This is where fasting comes in. Fasting is much more than a dietary practice. More importantly, fasting can be giving up any thoughts and behaviors that are not in keeping with the command to love God, neighbor, and self. Fasting depends on what prayer has revealed to us.
Almsgiving: Almsgiving flows from prayer and fasting. This is an old word that means giving to those in need. This is an essential part of our renewal because such giving is our way of bringing our love to others. We indeed are connected to our brothers and sisters when we find ways of giving, not only our money…but our time and our talent…inclusively, completely, wholeheartedly.
So, these are some tried and true methods of our engaging in the powerful spiritual and religious traditions of Lent. Let us give them a try and be renewed!
Peace,
Fr. George Couturier
Be on the lookout for our new initiative from the Digital Disciples called "Sacred Spaces Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish." We will be sending you e-blasts and posting to our social media short digital gifts of inspiration from members of our community as they show us places at Saint Josephine Bakhita that are sacred and special to them. Here's a look at the first one that went out Monday:
