Fr. Sean's 2021 Lenten Message

Dear Parishioners of St. Gregory's Parish,

 Now that we are well into the first week of Lent, I write to you with the utmost hope that the God who delivered His people time and time again from enslavement, bondage, exile and the perils of journeying, God will do likewise through His Only-begotten Son, to His sons and daughters by adoption.  This liturgical season in the Church's calendar is one that has been called a time of grace.  Where does this grace we hear of come from?

            The gospel according to John in the first chapter tells us that while the law was give through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (Jn. 1:17).  This grace that the evangelist tells us came in the flesh and dwells among us.  Let us encourage each other in the grace who was given us.  So while this grace came through Jesus Christ, where does it come from?  I believe in the Father. 

            During the Lenten journey, Christians often pay much emphasis to the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit but inadvertently, neglect the Father.  The sole mission of the Only-begotten Son was to make known in the world of the Father.  This year, I want to appeal to you to acknowledge the God/Father and in doing so you give praise to the Son and the Spirit.  On Ash Wednesday, I issued a challenge to the children of St. Gregory's School to pray the Lord's Prayer everyday during the Lenten Season.  This would account to over about forty Our Father prayers per child...not that numbers matter.

            While we remain in joyful anticipation of our exodus from the pandemic situation, we are reminded that the Father Almighty who is Creator of heaven and earth, can do all things for those who believe.  We are consoled by the words of Jesus, “for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matt. 6:8).  With this in mind, let acknowledge the Father who is well please with the beloved Son.

            In addition to our homage offered to the Heavenly Father, as a suggestion, let us also ponder the connection between the Christmas season and the season of Lent.  These two periods in the church's calendar are linked together.  There would be no Lent if it wasn't for the Incarnation – the Season of the Nativity.  By the Father's gift of sending His Only-begotten Son into world, God renews the world from the works of the Devil through the redemptive suffering of His Beloved.  This is Lent.

            Let us participate wholeheartedly, in the season of Christ's redemptive mystery.  Let us truly share in the Lord's death and resurrection bringing our baptismal promises to fruition.  Ah yes, Lent, it's truly a time of Grace... And so with Jesus, let us say in union with him, “Father, not my will, but thy will be done.”