Lent 2013
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
BE A LIGHT!
Recently at the School of Leaders, Deacon Joe Pollock gave a presentation on Franciscan Spirituality. It was very well done, and his talk prompted me to re-visit one of my favorite websites, American Catholic.org, which is a Franciscan site. Recently, there was a blog posted by Joe Kay entitled “Be a Light”. It is well worth reading. Here are some excerpts:
“ Show the world compassion rather than indifference, love rather than judgment, inclusion rather than condemnation, healing rather than harming, sharing instead of hoarding, forgiveness instead of revenge. …. Don’t wait for someone else to provide the light. Be the light. … Don’t worry that you are only one light….Remember, all it takes is one beam from a flashlight to light the way.”
Truly inspiring words, I think, and a challenge as well. After all, we are called to be a light to the world. (Matt. 5:14). But, are we really illuminating a path for others to follow? Are we shedding light or perpetuating darkness?
As the season of Lent approaches, it is an appropriate time to reflect on our actions and on our response to others. We are having a Lenten Day of Recollection on Saturday, February 16th at St. Patrick’s at 9:00 AM. It is a perfect time to stop and review our actions, and how they may or may not fit into God’s plan. Are we the light God calls us to be? God’s grace can show us through His presence, particularly in Reconciliation and Mass. With God’s grace and guidance, as a community, we can grow to become the city on the hilltop, which cannot be hidden.
God bless you,
Jim Flanagan
Lay Director
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