Four Short Daily Sermons from the Start of Lent Ashes remind us that we will die. Lent is a time to do penance that purifies us and brings us into closer union with God. It is a privileged time of grace when we must hear and heed the divine call to works of mercy.
Are we not in a similar situation as the Israelites of old even who faced the seemingly invincible army of Holofernes? There are truly many forces arrayed about against us. For those with eyes to see, it is truly harrowing, and yet we have the weapons for victory: such as the prayer, fasting, the Holy Sacrifice and the priesthood, and the Blessed Virgin Mary. As Judith indicated, this is not for our destruction but for our amendment. These things are less than we deserve! Lent is now here. Let’s do our part, so she can do hers.
Today, as Lent begins, God speaks three things to us very clearly. [1] The sacramental of Ashes reminds us of what we are: fragile, weak, and mortal.[2] By the Cross, He tells us that He loves us and died for us; and He calls us to love the Cross for His sake. (Sadly, modern Catholics have forgotten how to love and appreciate the Cross. It is no coincidence that in many concrete ways the Cross has been removed from the New Rite of Mass.) [3]Through the prophet Joel, God speaks to us of His willingness to be merciful when man is [...]
Three brief daily sermons. [1] Ash Wednesday Lent begins with death. In order to live for God we must die to sin and the passing cares of this world. In order to live a holy life we must think about the reality of death like the saints. During Lent, keep your own death before your eyes. [2] Mar 2 Oh what a folly is the world that never thinks upon death. We must prepare well for our death, for it will come upon us at the moment we least expect. Your eternity depends on your death. Resolve at this moment to [...]
