FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT – WHO IS DRIVING WHO?
In the Gospel of Mark today, “The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert … for forty days.” And then Jesus drove Satan away – so that he could begin his public ministry of healing and teaching the people of Galilee. We also note that Jesus significantly drove many evil spirits out of people possessed by them. It seems clear that the Lord God is in charge and that evil and sin is getting pushed around! Indeed, the Lord is doing the driving!
Now with the liturgical Season of Lent starting, we need to be a “driven” people. But what are we driven by? Sometimes we say that someone is driven by greed or selfishness, pride or vengeance, or any one of the many human passions that can control our lives. So Lent is our time to evaluate what is “driving” or motivating our life. For most of us it is a tussle between our own sinful tendencies and the Lord’s grace. With Lent upon us, now we have a chance to repent of our sins and renew our spiritual lives again by letting the graces and opportunities given to us to drive out any evil spirits and to drive us toward the glory of Easter.
LENTEN OPPORTUNITIES OF PRAYER, FASTING, AND ALMSGIVING IN THE PARISH:
+ Daily Mass at 8am, Monday through Friday
+ Stations of the Cross, 8:30am (after Mass), Friday
+ Adult Religious Ed. – “The Sacraments”, video by Bishop Barron, Tues. 6:30pm or Thur. 1:30pm
+ Lectionary-based Bible Study, with Father Bob, Tues. 1:30pm or Thur. 6:30pm
+ Lenten Friday Abstinence from meat – a good day for other sacrifices or fasting
+ “Rice Bowl” almsgiving for Catholic Relief Services
+ “Second collection” today for Black & Indian Mission is the U.S.
SUNDAY CONTRIBUTIONS TO ST. BERNADETTE CHURCH
Again thanks to all who are using their Sunday offertory envelopes, whether you are coming to Mass, or dropping them in the mail or in the rectory mail slot. Your faithful generosity has been keeping the parish operating financially fairly well, considering pandemic protocols limiting attendance.
A spiritual note for Lent to work on might be to remember when you place your Sunday offertory envelope in the basket as you come into church is to say a quick prayer as you offer your gift to the Lord in thanksgiving for all that he has given you. You can do this also as you place your Sunday offertory gift in the mail. Remember this is not just “paying your dues” or “paying a bill”; it is a personal gift to God through his Church.