These Forty Days

Once again, we prepare for Easter.

Once again, we join Jesus on His way to the Cross.

Once again, we contemplate on His Passion and what it means.

In this the Jubilee Year of Mercy, we are presented with the time and opportunity to continue to understand why God chose this way to redeem us.

While we are called to repentance every day, the Church gives us this time to focus on conversion of heart, mind, and soul.

For those of you who may come across my words, I ask you one question, something of a mini-theme of mine at times.

Are you living what I call the "Johannine lie"? (See John 9:40-41.)

We seemingly don't hear about sin anymore. It is as if we have been desensitized to its presence to the point where it doesn't exist. While the Devil's biggest accomplishment is the denial of his existence, his second is the denial of right and wrong. Ask Adam and Eve about that one. Are we blinded to that fact in the world and in our own lives? The quip goes that saints know they are sinners, while sinners think they are saints.

There is not one part of our lives that is not in need of metanoia--thought, word, or deed.

We are given this moment in the liturgical year to truly "repent, and believe in the Gospel."

Let us take this time to continue to become more and more a child of God.

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."