Father Wilson's Homily: 2/27/2011

Sunday, Father Wilson's homily was especially fitting as we prepare for Lent this year, because we often forget, in the modern world, that we should be preparing for Lent. This forgetfulness is partly due to modern liturgical changes and partly due a significant lack of catechisis. So, here are a few brief bullet points from his homily:

Just as a large ship, such as an aircraft carrier, must slowly prepare to turn, so too must we turn slowly towards Lent.

Parachuting into Ash Wednesday leaves us trying to figure out what we're going to do for Lent at the very last minute instead of entering into Lent prepared for the challenges we face such as dinner parties and meal preparation due to the fasting and abstinence requirements. Fasting and abstinence on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and Abstinence every Friday in Lent. (By the way, don't expect a dispensation from Father for that steak dinner on Friday night that you scheduled, because you forgot you should be abstaining from meat on Lenten Fridays. Personal note: this is a good reason for abstaining from meat on Fridays year round.)

Prepare for Lent through reading and meditation on the Sermon on the Mount. (Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7)

Plan for your Lenten offering in advance. Choose one thing in each category: abstinence, prayer, and almsgiving.

Make reasonable expectations such as give up chocolate instead of all sweets or coffee instead of all caffeine products so that two weeks into Lent you are not confessing that you blew your Lenten resolution by over indulging. (Personal note: just as with dieting you have to make reasonable goals for yourself, do the same for Lent.)

Pick a book or material for meditation or a particular prayer habit you want to take on.

Pray for the one who "gets on your last good nerve," the one you find it hard to love, the one who hates you for no apparent reason, or all of the above.

Your almsgiving may be the widow's mite due to the economy, but the reason and disposition of your heart is what matters.