February 27th, 2022

8th Sunday of Ordinary Time

by Fr. Boniface Endorf, O.P.

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Dear St. Joseph Parish Family,

This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. It’s a day of fasting and abstinence. The point of these penances is to open our souls to God so that we can hear His voice in our lives. It’s a form of repentance, meaning sorrow for our sin and turning from sin back towards God. Penance and repentance are thus hopeful acts: that we can be united with God and turning towards His mercy and grace.

To help keep the details clear, here is an outline of Lenten practices mandated for all Catholics:

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday: abstinence and fasting

All Fridays of Lent: abstinence

Abstinence means not eating meat, except fish. Abstinence is mandated for those over 14 years of age.

Fasting means not eating more than one full meal, plus, if needed, up to two snacks that don’t add up to a full meal. Fasting is mandated for those between 18 and 59.

I encourage you to also take up a personal penance for Lent. Pick something that would be spiritually helpful. Many would benefit from giving up social media or television. The point is to open space in our lives and souls to hear God: what noise can we reduce in our lives to better listen to God this Lent?

There is a lot of grace in the Lenten Season. Take advantage of that! This can be a time of great spiritual growth and we should take advantage of all the graces God wants to offer us. And remember to pray more often this Lent: to hear God we must also talk to God!

Have a blessed Lent,
Fr. Boniface