The practice of observing Lent hearkens back to the early Church when they prepared for Easter with 40 days of prayer, fasting and alms-giving. Our Lord fasted for 40 days, and thus it sets a precedent for his followers. All the well known (and less well-known) saints spent periods of fasting and prayer in order to nourish their spiritual lives and grow closer to the Lord. Who am I that I should do less? Saint Paul tell us: "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. "
So, by His grace, I am going to try to lay aside some weights and sins which ensnare me and try to endure my crosses and look to Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith. Lent, therefore, is a time of "finishing" that the Church gives us as a great gift, which we all need.
I hope and pray this Lenten season will be used by the Holy Spirit to draw you closer to him.
Please pray for Pope Benedict as he resigns and the conclave to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in choosing our next pope.
I'll be back after Easter. We will be in Haiti for part of Lent so we could use your prayers as always.