Hey there, Church Fans! Here’s the latest text. The vid of the homily will be up when my helpers send it down the line.
I have a buddy who is a real life, honest-to-God survivalist/prepper. I’m not talking about your basic preparations for a long power outage or natural disaster. This man is planning for the end of civilization as we know it. He has a bugout bag, a bunker in an undisclosed remote location, and enough food, water, ammo, and gold to last three years.
On one level you can think he’s kind of nutty, but on another you’ve got to admire the guy. He’s ready for anything. Furthermore, the skills he possesses makes him very like to survive just about any situation the Alaskan wilderness can come up with.
On that note, most of us would not think of going into the wilderness for any length of time without making at least the most basic preparations. As we say, “There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear.” Making the proper preparations can make all the difference from having a trip in the wilderness be a fun experience with a few minor inconveniences turn into a full-blown catastrophe.
If this is true for us in the practical sense, why would we think it would be any different in the spiritual sense? This weekend we stand on the threshold entering into the spiritual wilderness of Lent. If we have prepared well, we will emerge better for the experience, renewed in mind, body, and spirit. If we don’t, then the results will be at best disappointing or at worst, catastrophic. Don’t go into Lent unprepared.
So, where do you start? Well, when all else fails, read the instructions. In the bulletin and all our media, we have this lovely little flyer, an instructions sheet for what the opportunities are in the parish this Lent. The two themes of Lent are Repentance and the journey to the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Its hallmarks are prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
How is your prayer going to be different this Lent? Are you willing to try something new or different? Will you return to a previous discipline that bore fruit in the past?
For fasting, what will you give to God this Lent? Is it a favorite food? An unhealthy habit? An attitude?
Who will receive the benefit of your fasting? Remember fasting without giving alms is called a “diet.” Start with what you have given to God and then take the money you would have spent on that and give it to the poor.
The time to prepare for Lent is now. How we do so will make all the difference.