Dear Friends,
We are in the beginning of the season of Lent. This past Ash Wednesday our Gospel of Matthew reminded me of Deacon Eric’s homily two weeks ago.
Deacon Eric spoke of the necessity of making “Tomb Time” in our daily lives. Like Jesus, we are invited to make time to replenish our spirits by stepping aside in our busy lives to be in prayer and communion with Jesus. On Ash Wednesday the Lord said to go to our inner rooms and pray. The Father will see us and repay us in ways that will support our spirituality. This support will enable us to be disciples among one another and all peoples to live the life of Jesus. This weekend we encounter the temptations Jesus faced in the desert. In that experience Jesus said “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”
What does Jesus’s proclamation say to you and me in these beginning days of Lent? How are you and I repenting of our sinfulness so that our hearts are preparing to be in the fullness of the Kingdom of God? What will we do in these six weeks of Lent that will have renewed our baptismal lives and bring us to our Easter?
Many opportunities are happening in our parishes. I hope you take advantage of the materials in our churches (examples such as the Little Black Book) and the various prayer offerings, the Sacrament of Reconciliation (note in the bulletin the two days of Reconciliation this very week), our upcoming parish retreat in March and the wonderful podcast series being presented by our “Not Your Typical Church Ladies” (Anne, Karen and Vicky). Let us pray for one another, our Catechumens and Candidates, and those making the 19th Annotation, that these days of renewal and embracing the full life of the church will have us resound with strong Alleluias at our Easter!
This weekend we are privileged to welcome Deacon Emeritus Mike Piehler to the pulpit. Mike is a great homilist and I am personally looking forward to his message. Mike and his wife Kathi I have known each other since our days together at Saint John of Rochester. From those days to the present both of them have brought richness to my spirituality by the witness and faith they have in Jesus Christ. May we give them a warm welcome this weekend. And by the way, Mike received the 2023 Distinguished Alumnus award from Saint John Fisher University! He was in the class of 1964. Congratulations Mike!!!
Looking forward to being with everyone this weekend of Lenten journey.
Blessings,
Father Rob