Dear Friends in Christ,
This year, it is in the month of February that the Church begins the season of Lent. This time in the Church’s year is traditionally devoted to encouraging the deeper conversion of Christians through increased prayer, self-denial and charitable works. The goal of conversion is stronger friendship with God and a greater desire to put one’s faith into practice.
Please note that in this week’s bulletin, St. Peter’s provides its Lenten calendar. As we look forward to Lent’s arrival in several weeks, it is good to plan things we will do during that time to welcome the graces of the season. Let us take advantage of the opportunities offered in our community for growth in faith.
In this Sunday’s Gospel, St. Mark recounts details of Jesus’ healing ministry. He emphasizes the incredible amount of human need that Jesus experienced and how His response to that need was merciful and compassionate. Despite the amount of work that Jesus faced, St. Mark tells us that Jesus took time for that which was most important.
This was prayer. Mark 1:35 tells us that “rising very early before dawn, He left and went off to a deserted place, where He prayed.” Throughout Scripture, we learn that Jesus consistently took time to pray, seeking the solace of His Heavenly Father’s presence, the direction of the Holy Spirit and the strength God provided Him with so that He could carry out His mission.
We need to learn from Jesus’ example. As Lent approaches, let us think about our prayer lives. Do we pray each day? Do we come to Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation? Do we seek to improve our prayer by taking opportunities to learn about our Faith? Do we prioritize time spent with God in prayer or do distractions keep us from regular prayer?
It is in prayer that we receive grace and encounter the Lord’s faithful presence. No matter how busy we are, taking time to pray is essential in keeping our friendship with God strong.
In Christ,
Fr. Michael