Dear Minnesota Catholic Daughters of the Americas,

Our state has been not only in the national spotlight but even the world is hearing and seeing the events unfold in this age of media technology. Our bishops have continued to voice concern like everyone else, asking us all to respect one another, and as Christians to pray for all as well. We ask ourselves, “How did we ever get to this level of discord, division, and viciousness in our society?”

Lent is upon us and this is a perfect time for all of us to go deeper into our hearts as we commence our Lenten discipline. On Ash Wednesday, we will hear the words of Jesus, asking us to take up the weapons for our spiritual combat. The order he gives us says something about priorities. The first is almsgiving. This ties into Jesus’ words: “No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). Mammon is money, material possessions. Recall also Jesus’ words about serving God: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40). Therefore, God knows what we often put before him and he desires that we practice these two great commandments using this discipline of almsgiving.

The second discipline is prayer. God hears the prayers of the clean of heart. The two great commandments emphasized in the first discipline help us to see that our hearts need to be in the correct disposition. (Lent is like a spring cleaning of the heart.) Even if we admit to our sins, especially our failure to put God first because we often secure our lives through our bank accounts, investments, and possessions, at least we know that repentance is the key for asking God’s grace to put him first and renounce the idolatry of money. This makes good room in our hearts for proper prayer. There is one more obstacle we need to remove and that is judgements or any resentments we may have with anyone. Therefore, we can see the importance of Jesus’ words above, that the first commandment leads to the second commandment “to love your neighbor as yourself.” We may be hurt by others, hold grudges, or simply find it hard to love the enemy, who often is the one closest to us. Knowing oneself in all sincerity means recognizing our weakness, our inability to love at all costs. Jesus knows that we struggle in this area. Therefore, admitting to this and not seeing ourselves better than anyone, moves us into the best prayer posture. Perhaps it can begin with the sincere prayer, “Lord, I need your help to love everyone as I am called to do.” This is the beginning of desiring to do God’s will and allowing grace to enter and transform us this Lent (and any time of the year for that matter!) David’s prayer after his sin is one of the best we can all internalize and pray, and that is Psalm 51. “A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit” (verse 12). Followed by, “My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a contrite, humbled heart, O God, you will not scorn” (verse 19). Jesus’ holy humility saved the world. Humility will also save us.

Lastly, let us take up the third discipline of fasting. Fasting is not only from food and beverage but anything that we need to curb our desires that interrupt putting God first. St. John Chrysostom said we should fast from sin, that is, from gossip, injustice, and vices rather than merely fasting from food. Pope Francis encouraged us to “fast from [spreading] rumors and gossip.” Pope Benedict XVI, looking to the wisdom of the Fathers of the Church, stated how they taught us to fast as a way to “bridle sin.” We can fast from cell phone use, such as scrolling, or useless time spent with the phone, computers, and social media. What God desires is that we allow time for meaningful activities, such as being of service to others, to seek out and live the two great commandments.
May this Lenten season prepare us well to appreciate those words sung by the deacon, priest, or cantor at the Paschal Vigil, from the Praeconium/Exsultet, “O happy fault which deserved so great a Savior!” Yes, as Bishop Barron often reminds us by saying, “fellow sinners”, the greatest sign of love is mercy and forgiveness. The story of the prodigal son reminds us that it is never too late to return to the Lord. The Father’s movement toward us is the real gift, to see that He is waiting for us so that we may join in the celebration of the Feast!

God Love You!!!
Fr. Jim Starasinich