Mission Report – March 7, 2019

We are in the solemn Season of Lent

The solemn person is one possessing a deep sincerity from which emerges serious thoughts. Lent is our time to be honest about what truly motivates and directs our lives. Lent is our time to be careful and exact in naming what is at the centre of our being. Lent is our time for conversion, for our serious and honest reflection will always uncover the gap between who we actually are and who we know we ought to be. Lent is a time for courage and change.

However, it is not a version of a self-help program. The Christian faith is always about growing in love, and love makes no sense without the beloved. Lent is a time to deepen our friendship with Jesus, with family, friends and to endure in our solemn desire to grow in love, inspired by those friendships. It is a time to seek the friendship of the lonely and despairing. Our College Chaplain Fr Anthony Nagothu offered us insights into the nature and purpose of Lent when he addressed our Ash Wednesday liturgy.

-The Catholic primary school in Lucas is named after St. Catherine of Siena, – Siena Catholic school. St Catherine has some beautiful words that inspire us. She says, -Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring-. The greatness consists in love. It’s well said, -All of us may not be able to great things but all of us can do small things with great love-.

Lent is a great time to share our love through Lenten acts of prayer and charity. Today’s Gospel puts before us three important ways, Almsgiving-Prayer-Renunciation. The Gospel invites us to focus and observe these acts of love during this 40 days of Lent, which concludes in April. For us to remember we could make acronym that is linked to month of April, APR. This year, though Easter comes late in April, we could already welcome April little early as we continue to observe (APR) Almsgiving-Prayer-Renunciation though this Lent.

Lent is a time of Almsgiving, a time of being generous. It’s a time to think about others. Acts of kindness and generosity bring out the best in us.

Lent is a time of Prayer. It’s a time to find few minutes each day to be with God. Just be with the Lord. We do not have to say anything. In fact, it is better if we could listen to what God is saying to us.

During Lent we are invited to Renounce or fast from something that does not help us to be people of goodwill. For instance, give up words or language that doesn’t help us! In this regard, the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi would give us a beautiful insight into this season:

Lord make me an instrument of your peace

Where there is hatred let me sow love

Where there is injury, pardon

Where there is doubt, faith

Where there is despair, hope

Where there is darkness, light

And where there is sadness, let me bring joy Amen!-

From our solemnity will emerge the Easter joy that knows no bounds:- I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no- repentance. (Lk 15:7)