Our Lenten theme is PRAYER AND RECONCILIATION.  Let us pray that God will pour out special blessings on each one of us these 40 days as we climb the Lenten mountain together: a Journey of Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving and Penance leading us to the JOY of the TRIDUUM: the Last Supper, Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ: the PASCHAL MYSTERY, the center of our Christian life, which we celebrate at EVERY MASS!

On ASH WEDNESDAY we began this joyful climbing with the Prophet Joel encouraging all of us: "RETURN TO THE LORD YOUR GOD with your whole heart ...For gracious and merciful is HE, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment" (Joel 2:12-18). This theme of Reconciliation with GOD continued with our singing Psalm 51, the MISERERE (have mercy):

BE MERCIFUL, O LORD! FOR WE HAVE SINNED.

Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me.

BE MERCIFUL, O LORD, FOR WE HAVE SINNED.

For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always: "Against you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight."

BE MERCIFUL, O LORD, FOR WE HAVE SINNED.

A clean heart, create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me.

BE MERCIFUL, O LORD, FOR WE HAVE SINNED.

Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me. O Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

BE MERCIFUL, O LORD, FOR WE HAVE SINNED.

Psalm 51 is King David's prayer to God, acknowledging his grave sin when challenged by the prophet Nathan (after having taken his neighbor's wife and having her husband killed). It is the most famous psalm of repentance. In this beginning of Lent I invite all of us to pray this Psalm as we prepare for our Lenten Mission (5:30 pm, dinner and Lenten reflection led by Father Jan) and Penance Service (7 pm with 12 priests) this Monday February 27.

All of us, including Fr Jan and me, are sinners and in need of reconciliation with God. When we enter the confessional, God already knows that we are sorry for our sins. He knows everything going on in our hearts. He knows all our daily challenges. He knows whom we have not yet forgiven. Through the magnificent Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminds us that we need to reconcile with our brothers and sisters before we come to the altar (Matthew chapter 5). We cannot keep grudges in our hearts. Jesus asks us to be as MERCIFUL as God is. This is the most beautiful prayer that Jesus taught us:

"OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN...FORGIVE US OUR SINS AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO HAVE TRESPASSED AGAINST US ".

Lord, in this beginning of Lent, give each of us the GRACE to forgive those who have offended us and the COURAGE to confess all our sins, including those we are most ashamed to mention in confession and may have never confessed.

May we all open our hearts to God's blessings these forty days of Lent!

One in Christ,

Fr. Alain

 

Please click here to let us know you will be joining us for the Lenten Mission Dinner so we can be better prepared.