Lent is Coming. Time to Do Penance.

   Ash Wednesday is upon us and we begin another Lenten journey. I have fond memories of Lent in St. William's parish in the Dorchester section of Boston.  We had Stations of the Cross each Friday and were encouraged to go to daily Mass.  In those days the rules of fast and abstinence were much more rigorous, though I must admit that having more fish was never much of a sacrifice for me.

   In more recent times it has been common for folks to choose their Lenten discipline.  This, I believe, is a good thing, but it raises some questions for me.   On the one hand some people want to do things that will make them better people.  On the other hand there are those who want to atone for their sins.  Both of these are laudable motives but I think that there has to be some deeper reason for doing penance during Lent.  As I mentioned in a blog post last month to repent does not just mean to feel sorry for your sins.  It means to rearrange your life, to make the Gospel, the following of Jesus, the basis of your life.  I would like, with this blogentry, to suggest a Lenten path that we might follow.

  Before deciding to sacrifice things or to carry out certain positive actions go into prayer and ask to be able to see what in your life is getting in the way of following the Lord more closely.  It may be something wrong, sinful, but it may be something perfectly good which nonetheless gets in the way. After doing that tell the Lord in prayer that during these forty days you want to get closer to Him, then decide what to do.

  In addition to giving up things for Lent. think of positive actions that you will take.  Think of this on three levels--prayer and personal spiritual growth, charity towards others, and making the world a better place through action for justice and peace.

  The first part needs little explanation.  It may mean daily Mass, more spiritual reading, more quiet time gained by shutting off the TV for a while or cutting back on social media. attending Stations of the Cross on Fridays, etc.  The second part is pretty self-explanatory as well and involves not only possibly giving to charity, but also things like reaching out to the elderly, the homeless, visiting the sick, etc.  The third level is perhaps not one that crosses the minds of most people.  There are so many pressing issues such as immigration reform, working for peace, pro life activities, care for the environment.  Lent is a great time not only to pray over these issues but to seek to get involved in some way.

  I promise you that if you engage the Lord in these ways that you will have a wonderful Holy Week and Easter.

  God Bless and have a wonderful and fruitful Lent..

And, please click on the link below to see Pope Francis' lenten message.
Pope Francis Lenten Message

The Church, Justice and Politics

   When Pope Francis recently issued his apostolic exhortation entitled Evangelii Gaudium there was an outcry from some circles, especially regarding his statements about poverty, suggesting that he stick to religion and stay out of politics and economics.  The only problem with that lament is that concern for the poor, for human rights, including the right to life, and the promotion of peace in the world is at the heart of what Christianity is all about.  The redemption that Christ brought about is not just the grace to overcome personal sin.  It is also the grace to overcome the injustices of the world.  Both dimensions will not be carried out to completion until the Lord comes again in the fullness of time,  In the meantime however we must try.

  Many may be unaware of this fact but every pope since Leo XIII in the late 1800's has made major statements regarding poverty, war, workers rights, etc. 

   Here in the US some complain that since there is separation of church and state that the clergy should remain silent and stay out of politics.  WRONG!!!  The constitution rightfully forbids the government from establishing an official religion or even favoring one religion.  It also forbids interference with the free exercise of religion.  What is restricted is a church spokesperson favoring a political party or a particular candidate.  It does not prevent a church person from speaking out on issues.  One of the main forces against slavery in the 1800's was the voice of various clergy people.  Unfortunately not enough of those were Catholic, but that is an issue for another time.

   Getting back to Pope Francis' statements on distribution of wealth he is standing in a long tradition of Catholic social teaching.  He is not advocating socialism, or some "everybody gets the same" approach to things.  He is lamenting that a very few people hold on to a large percentage of the world's wealth while many others, no matter how hard they work, seem to be left out.  I don't think he, nor any other Church person, fails to understand that some people are wealthier and use their wealth to enable others to work and gain a decent living.

   In our own country and elswhere the Church speaks out for the right to life from conception until natural death.   Under that umbrella the Church calls for dignity and respect for all in between the two ends of life.  Over the years Church leaders in our country have spoken out against the nuclear arms race, economic justice and racial justice.  In recent years our bishops have been advocating a reform of the immigration system including a path to legal status for the undocumented.  These stands are taken not to be Democrat, Republican, nor for any other political reason, but rather because these things are what the Gospel demands.

   I often tell people that if you are truly Christian you cannot fully embrace being liberal or conservative in the political sense.  Yes, on voting day you have to decide that one party or candidate is more reflective of the things we stand for, but neither is 100% all in. 

   As for Evangelii Gaudium I recommend a careful study of the document. You will find that it is much more nuanced and refined than the spin given it by both the liberal and conservative media.