This week we begin the season of Lent. As an overall theme we have chosen ENCOUNTER. During this season we are invited to a loving encounter with the love and mercy of God, an encounter which will lead us to be joyful missionary disciples and instrument for unleashing the Gospel. We are invited to encounter one another in deeper communion. In Unleash the Gospel, Archbishop Vigneron wrote:
Evangelizing aims to lead others to life-changing encounters with Jesus, with the result that he becomes the Lord of one’s life. An encounter is a person-centered form of contemplation; it is two people being present to each other with no utilitarian purpose. For some people the encounter with Christ is a cataclysmic “Damascus road” kind of experience; for others it is more gradual. In either case, encountering Jesus is like meeting the person you are going to marry: you are overwhelmed by this encounter and cannot imagine going forward in life with that person. The Christian life becomes not just one but a series of encounters with Jesus, especially through prayer and liturgy, which continually deepen our relationship with him. (Marker 2.1)
So this Lent, don’t just give up chocolate, but do something that opens you to an encounter with Jesus, and that allows him to encounter you. One way might be to attend the Parish Mission April 1-3. Another way would be to attend the Day of Renewal on March 16. You might pray for another parishioner each day. You might give blood on March 24. You might attend the stations each Friday evening or read the Flocknote message each day. Whatever we do, it should help to open ourselves to a loving encounter with Christ.
Fr. Jeff