Dear Saints,

At the end of people’s confessions, I like to remind them that their awareness of where they are falling short or failing is a gift. God makes us see our sins so that he and we can do something about it. How good God is to stir our hearts to repentance knowing that he is desperate to forgive us and give us the healing and strength we need to persevere in living a life of love and prayer.

I’ve noticed, further, that Lent (spurred on, I believe, by fasting) dredges up - and makes more apparent - our sinfulness. If you’re there, then I’m in good company: My own venturing out into the desert with Jesus has yet again helped me to see that I am self-referential, self-indulgent, and selfish. This is no real surprise, I suppose, given that the Church teaches that prayer, fasting, and almsgiving “express conversion in relation to oneself, to God, and to others” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1434).

Prayer moves me beyond my being self-referential to prioritize God and his mission; fasting tackles my self-indulgence and gives me self-possession, that I might more freely give myself to God and others; and almsgiving gets me beyond selfishness to see the needs and concerns of others, and endeavor to bring God’s love to life for them.

So, yes. Seeing where we fall short of the demands of love in relation to God, self, and neighbor isn’t the end of story. In fact, that’s where we pick up our Lenten journey. In his mercy, God shows us where we stray so we can return to his way, the way of abundant life.

I hope that, in these and many more ways besides, your Lent is fruitful. Please know of my prayers for you - I entrust myself to your prayers.

In the Peace of Christ,

Father Daniel

δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ