Ash Wednesday

           What do you think is the greatest challenge we Christians face in our country?  Is it that many don’t believe in God?  That materialism and entertainment run our society?  That, God forbid, we have had some corrupt leaders in our Church?

            I would argue that the greatest obstacle we face is not that people don’t believe in God, but that many don’t believe in sin.  Think about it—if there is no sin, there is no need for a savior.  If our wrongdoings are simple mistakes due to biology, psychology or society, there would be nothing for us to be saved from.  Do you believe that you sin and that some of your choices directly hurt God, your neighbor and yourself?  Do you need Jesus Christ?

            Often times we freak out when we think about sin.  We Catholics are good at guilt and can paralyze ourselves with fear when we face our sin head on.  Yet we must account for the fact that each of us has sinned.  And, like a good basketball player who makes a mistake, we don’t need to freak out but acknowledge the wrong and move on in the game.  We can have great assurance because “he made him to be sin who did not know sin…”  And he nails our sin to the cross.

            Lent is the season of the year to address our sin: “now is a very acceptable time…”  After acknowledging our sin and seeking forgiveness, Lent is the time to combat sin itself.  And we do this by living out the great pillars of Catholic spirituality—prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  We hear Jesus speak of each of these practices in the Gospel in which he teaches us to keep quiet and humble about the prayer and sacrifices we make.

            We are called to be generous like Jesus.  First, we must pray, both individually and by coming to Mass.  We want to treat God like He is our best friend.  Second, we have periods of fasting and abstinence from meat during this season.  Third, we give alms to those less fortunate than us.  This includes money but also our time and talents to serve others in need.

            It is typical to give something up during Lent.  While it is a good practice to give up pop, candy or chips, I encourage you to make Lent more than a diet.  And there is no better Lenten resolution than to come to Mass each week and make it to Confession.  These sacraments, coupled with our own prayer, fasting and almsgiving, help us to combat sin and remain in union with Jesus Christ.

            Don’t let this Lenten season go by wasted.  Make Lent more than a diet and allow this season of penance to help you confront sin head on.