Due to printing timing I am writing this the morning of Mardi Gras. It has started to snow but I hope it will still be OK for our Mardi Gras. It is indoors after all. I want to thank the Tolton Society and all the hard work they put into this great event. Thanks also to all who came out to enjoy Mardi Gras together.
Even in the snow Ash Wednesday will be Ash Wednesday with its Gospel telling us the three things to do during lent to grow closer to God by repentance: Pray, Fasting and Almsgiving. We can all talk with God a little more. We can all give up something for Lent and with the money we save, we can all help those in need a little more.
Temptation is the theme for the First Sunday of Lent. In our first reading we have the temptation of Adam and Eve and they fall. We call this Original Sin. God created them and told them not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but they did. Because of this disobedience, God puts them out of the Garden into our real world with all its problems and difficulties.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus is tempted three times but does not fall. He has answers for the temptations. “One does not live on bread alone but from every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” “You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” “The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.”
In our second reading St. Paul compares the temptation of Adam and Eve and the Temptations of Christ. He points out that by Adam and Eve’s fall, death entered the world. But he also points out that Jesus is the new Adam and Eve and by overcoming his temptations, he brings us life.
Every year by tradition of the diocese, I print out a contribution statement for each family for tax purposes. Every year only a few parishioners pick them up. This year I will put out a sign-up sheet for those who want them. It is in the foyer. So, please sign-up on that sheet, if you want a statement.
Let us continue to pray for peace in the world. Let us also pray for vocations to the church. Let us pray for the sick of the parish. Let us pray that all will come to respect life. Let us pray for one another and for the canonization of Father Tolton. Let us also pray for those who are victims of sexual abuse and mass shootings.
A Venerable Father Tolton Prayer: Father in Heaven, the Venerable Father Tolton’s suffering service sheds light upon our sorrows; we see them through the prism of your Son’s passion and death. If it be your Will, O God, glorify your servant Father Tolton, by granting the favor I now request through his intercession (mention your request) so that all may know the goodness of this priest whose memory looms large in the Church he loved. Complete what you have begun in us that we might work for the fulfillment of your kingdom. Not to us the glory, but glory to you O God, through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are our God, living and reigning forever and ever. Amen.
I hope we all learned a little Black History last month by reading our parish Josephite calendar. There are daily notes and spread throughout the calendar there are quick biographies of six African Americans being considered for sainthood in the Church.