The season of Lent is upon us!
Lent gives Christians a time to reflect on things we often take for granted. Is there something I am attached to that I should try to do without? The Lenten practice of sacrifice prompts a deeper mindfulness. Taking stock of our daily life is always a good thing. We are also encouraged to be more generous with our money or our time or to share our gifts enthusiastically.
I’ve also come to believe that Lenten meditations that lead us to Holy Week are themselves therapeutic in nature. By taking to heart the testing, rejection and sufferings that our Lord endured we engage with the more tragic side of life. Though it can be uncomfortable it can temper our own ability to deal with the struggles of life head-on.
It is said that you can’t get to Easter Sunday until you go through Good Friday. There are no short cuts. As people of faith it is critical that we be people who can exist in the struggle to bring ourselves and others to that greatest of days!
Keeping Hope alive and bringing it to those who may have little to hope for is
a great and noble goal. SFC is a place of hope and comfort for people year
’round. We hope that you will visit us during this important season, pray for
us, share your blessings with us for others. Our prayer is for your blessing. Soon
enough Spring will have sprung and the birds and all of nature will proclaim,“He is risen!”
Peace and blessings this Lenten season,Fr. Bill Minkel, OFM