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The Church chose today’s date to honor St. Peter, father of the church in Rome. Peter’s fatherhood persists in the person of the pope.
The message of the Gospel today, like the message of Lent itself, is twofold: “Repent and believe the good news.” We are called to do both.
We find it difficult to admit when we’re wrong, when we’ve sinned. And it seems the more we try to live good Christian lives, the harder it gets to acknowledge how often we fail.
If we take Lent seriously–here and now today–and pay greater attention to God and our neighbor then the Lord will pay greater attention to us.
Religious practices can never become more important than the end to which they lead: love of God and love of neighbor.
From what have you chosen to abstain during this Lent? Create a practical plan for how to uphold your commitment so that you may gain greater spiritual freedom.
Repentance is not just a matter of engaging in penitential practices. What is pleasing to God is looking after your neighbor in need. That’s what real repentance is all about.
If our own goals, possessions, and even families and friends distract us from the Lord’s call, then we are not truly choosing life.
Lent is a time of re-enforcement of our decision for God. It is a time to weed out what keeps us from him, to strengthen what we need to stay strong in him.
“Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.” These are the words most often used as we are signed with ashes. It is a call to conversion, a call to follow Christ, a call to change our lives.
