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Dear Friends in Christ,
Sometimes a voice from the past speaks to us just at the right time. A popular author I read a few years back is Robert Fulghum, perhaps best known for his top selling book “All I Really Need to Know I learned in Kindergarten.” Recently, I re-read one of his later books of essays titled “What on Earth Have I Done.” Fulghum in the first essay recounts overhearing a young mother become extremely upset at something her young son had done in the back seat of their car while she was dropping him off at school. In a tone of voice most mothers use when they are upset with their children, including mine, bellows the following questions:” Billy, what on earth have you done??” “What in the name of God are you thinking??” “What in the world will you do next??” And the most classic mother question of all is, “Just who do you think you are??”
Removed from the heated emotion of this particular story, these classic “Mother questions” are helpful as we begin the sacred season of Lent. This is our annual time of the year to reflect deeply on how we live our lives, in particular as Catholic Christians. It’s a time through prayer, fasting and almsgiving to honestly answer the questions: What have I done to make the various worlds I live in better places? What influence does God’s presence have over my thoughts and actions? What am I planning to do to contribute to building the Kingdom of God here on earth? And finally, the most telling question of all: Who am I anyway? Our dear Pope Francis, when asked this question a day after he was elected to the papacy, answered without hesitation, “I am a sinner, but a beloved sinner.”
The Lenten invitation to explore these questions is personal, but also something we share as a faith community. I encourage everyone to make this sacred season a priority in our lives. Please check the parish bulletin and Weekly Word for various opportunities for spiritual growth this Lent. Your mother would want that for you!
A blessed Lent to all!
Fr. William Heric, Pastor
