During these first days of Lent we have had a chance to put into effect our spiritual battle plan. The gospels since Ash Wednesday have reminded us of the need to pray, to do penance, and to love our neighbor, which reveal to us the loving face of our heavenly Father. However, in this short time it is possible to begin to think that this Lent business is not really that hard after all. It just requires a little will power, nothing more. What is the big deal?
On Ash Wednesday, February 26 , this coming week, the Catholic Church throughout the world will begin the solemn season of prayer, fasting, penance, and almsgiving known as Lent. I like to recall that the word “Lent”, used only in the English speaking world, goes way back to ancient Anglo-Saxon days. You can still see in it the sense of “lengthening” referring to the time of longer days or what we call spring. Thus, Lent is springtime for our souls. It is that special time of year when the Church in the name of our Lord and Savior calls all of its members to conversion and new life in Christ. The Lord Himself invites us to enter more fully into the great mystery of His death and resurrection.
In order to prevent any misunderstanding in the parish, I am writing this brief explanation to you. By now most parishioners know that the Traditional Latin Mass is celebrated at IHM on the first and fourth Sundays of each month. Beginning on Sunday, February 23 , we will have a Traditional Latin Mass every Sunday at 4pm. There will also be a Latin Mass for Ash Wednesday at 5pm. Please note the time change from 5pm to 4pm on the Sundays.
The Catholic Church is well known for its use of blessed, lighted candles, which are a traditional symbol that represents Jesus, the light of the world, a light shining in the darkness. You may recall that Christmas is celebrated at the darkest time of the year to symbolically show the contrast between spiritual light and dark: the light that Christ brings to the world and to souls opposes and triumphs over the darkness brought by Satan. The Church has traditionally used beeswax candles to further symbolize purity, authenticity, and industry as reflected in the work of virgin bees. In addition, to give light the candle is burned, it is sacrificed, as a reminder in our worship that Jesus Christ saved us by His Sacrifice on the Cross, the Supreme Sacrifice of Love. To know true love we too must take up the cross and lay down our lives in love of God and neighbor.