Renew us and Save us, O’Lord - First Sunday of Lent

02-18-2024Weekly ReflectionFr. Fred Adamson

Dear Parishioners,

We have begun our journey of Lent 2024 with the focus of Renew us and Save us, O’Lord. A brother priest, Father Herb Hauck, who has since passed away once shared this about the season of Lent:

Lent leads us along a process whereby we gain growth in virtue. We use traditional forms of penance: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Why? Because they work! They are truly time-tested.

Lent is not for the faint of heart or for those who seek a quick fix. Lent can be tedious. Still, no more tedious than so many other life experiences which likewise have a positive goal, a step-bystep process to measure achievement, and a need for appropriate motivation.

The goal of Lent is offered in the forceful call to repentance of Ash Wednesday. We are challenged to gather the people and proclaim a fast. We are reminded that the Lord is concerned and takes pity on His people. We are directed to begin, to begin in hope, to begin with other Christians to build further on the sureness of belief that our God gives salvation.

The process of Lent continues day-by-day until we arrive at the focal celebration of the Triduum. In the gift and beauty of liturgical prayer at Mass, we are guided each day to consider our personal need for healing, to accept the abundance of God’s blessing, to see clearly that without God’s assistance our efforts are useless and in vain. But the message of hope remains powerfully strong.

The motivation for a “good Lent” must be the acceptance of a personal need for change.

“As the sands in the hour glass, so the days of our lives,” unless we take care, take responsibility, take charge.

What a trip we are invited to make.

A journey with the Lord. A journey with God’s people. A journey of blessing and grace!

So it is that we begin our Lenten journey – with a desire to be renewed and saved. In a particular way we as a parish will focus on the gift of the Eucharist this Lent and Easter. Forming a deeper relationship with our Eucharist Lord through our attentiveness, prayer and study. The great mystery of the Mass and Eucharist is at the very center of God’s loving saving grace for each one of us.

I encourage each individual and family to make a plan and commitment in some way to grow deeper in our prayer life at home and also here in the community. God creates us to be in communion and union with Him and one another. It is by intentionally giving Him time and attention with an open heart and mind that we are strengthened in faith.

Lent is a journey with the Lord and one another to deepen our faith and trust in his saving Love. Let us keep one another in prayer. Let us stay focused on our Eucharistic Lord and the mystery of the Mass celebrated and offered to a God who is always waiting for his people in Love.

Lenten peace and joy in the Lord,

Fr. Fred