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Spiritual Preparation
Lent is a time of spiritual preparation, re-focusing our hearts and minds on the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus that enabled us to be co-heirs in his heavenly kingdom. The acts of penance and fasting during Lent unite us with Christ’s suffering. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and ends forty days later with the Triduum, excluding Sundays. Forty days is the traditional number for discipline, devotion and preparation in the bible. Moses stayed on the Mountain of God for forty days, Ninevah was given forty days to repent, and Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness praying and fasting, prior to beginning his active ministry. Join us as we begin our forty day journey toward Easter.
Prayer is the best place to begin, because it is the one that unites them all. Fasting and almsgiving are themselves forms of prayer. In prayer we talk to God, and He talks to us. This conversation takes many forms. Our range of expressions in communicating with God are set phases, quiet conversation, gestures such as the Sign of the Cross and the intimate embrace of the sacraments. We grow in love by repeating the Church’s prayers.
Fasting is an ancient religious discipline with a two-fold purpose. First, it gives us an awareness of the basic needs of life and demonstrates our mastery over our appetites. Secondly, this sacrifice leads to clarity of thought, which is a powerful tool for prayer. By fasting we signify our oneness with the Lord, acknowledge our need for conversion and give witness to our solidarity with those less fortunate. Fast and abstinence are an expression of our desire to be converted in our hearts, to be reconciled with God and each other.
Almsgiving is the foundational call of Christians to charity is a frequent theme of the Gospel.During Lent, we are asked to focus more intently on almsgiving, which means donating money or goods to the poor and perform other acts of charity.
Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross in Spanish will be held at 6:30 p.m. and the English will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the church on the following Fridays.