A deacon was preaching on the evils of Alcohol at a Lenten Prayer Service he ended his homily, with emphasis, “If I had all the beer in the world, I'd take it & pour it into the river.”
With increased emphasis he said, “And if I had all the wine in the world, I'd take it & pour it into the river.”
He concluded, “And if I had all the whiskey in the world, I'd take it & pour it into the river.”
Finished, he sat down.
Then, the choir director sheepishly got up & announced, our next hymn is “Shall We Gather at the River.”
Well, I am not preaching on the evils of alcohol today, but I am preaching on three Lenten ideas: Prayer, Sacrifice & Fasting.
Lent offers us is a time filled with grace if we seek it.
Pope Francis offered us this suggestion for Lent:
“Do You Want To Fast This Lent?”
Fast from hurting words & say kind words.
Fast from sadness & be filled with gratitude.
Fast from anger & be filled with patience.
Fast from pessimism & be filled with hope.
Fast from worries & trust in God.
Fast from complaints & contemplate simplicity.
Fast from pressures & be prayerful.
Fast from bitterness & fill your heart with joy.
Fast from selfishness & be compassionate to others.
Fast from grudges & be reconciled.
Fast from words & be silent so you can listen.
In today’s Gospel Peter, James & John are told to “This is my Son; listen to him.” They couldn’t comprehend what happened on the mountain top. Some of life’s special moments are incomprehensible: the birth of one's own child or the loss of a loved.
These moments/events call us to be silent & to listen.
They teach us!
Many times we do not know what to say because we cannot understand the significance of the experience. Peter, James & John fell “prostrate” in fear – more accurately in “awe.”
The Greek Poet Aeschylus wrote: “Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.” We should reflect on the “awful grace of God” because awful in ancient Greek meant awe-inspiring/ awesome, that’s what grace is.
Choosing something to sacrifice by doing an action or refraining from an action can be a wonderful Lenten sacrifice. As many of you know that my son Joseph & his wife Amy, & their 3 daughters belong here; my daughter-in-law teaches 5th grade in our school.
On Tuesdays & Thursdays after school my wife Joanne & I babysit their youngest Elin who is in kindergarten & is chatty & delightful. Last Tuesday she in informed me that she was carrying her backpack/bookbag as a sacrifice for Lent.
She also told me her twin sisters Abagail and Beatrice [8th grade here at OLPH] were giving up chocolate, including Oreo cookies with milk for Lent.
Then she said, “Pop Pop they will never be able to do it.” Never at a loss for words, then, she said Pop Pop what are you giving up for Lent. I said, among other things I am not eating in between meals but most importantly I am saying a slightly longer Sign of the Cross, every time I bless myself.
“I am Baptized in the name of the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit. May I live as such. Amen.”
A reminder to me of my discipleship to Jesus Christ.
For a few moments, in silence, reflect on how you can strengthen your discipleship with Prayer, Sacrifice & Fasting
May God Be Praised!
