Again, I wish to thank Tim Messenger, the Director of the Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry of our Diocese for his reflection on ministry and encouraging us all to participate in our Annual Partners in Charity Appeal. As we gather this Fourth Week of Lent, we will conduct our in-pew solicitation; pooling our gifts with those of the other parishes throughout the Diocese to continue the wonderful works of ministry, charity and education in Worcester County.
As we continue our Lenten journey I want to encourage you all to take the time to visit the six prayer stations around the church that focus to the word of God this season. At the same time I want us to make sure that the Word assists us in allowing God to shape us and mold us into the image of Jesus.
Let us be aware of our image of God as we continue this Lent. Through Abraham we learned more of who God is. What kind of God would ask us to sacrifice our children? Not this one. Our God is a God who provides and takes care; a God who provides water and food in the desert experiences of our lives and bestows grace upon us to assist us in our faith journey.
Like the Jewish prophets before him, Jesus protested what had happened in the temple. Jesus wasn’t just protesting the presence of the moneychangers; but the rituals that were taking place in the temple. They were formalistic and lacking true and heartfelt devotion. Jesus, as did the prophets railed against empty worship. The lifeless system of animal sacrifice is to be replaced by his one perfect sacrifice on the cross.
Just as the Israelites grew in the understanding of God, we are given this opportunity to grow in our relationship and understanding of God. I am hoping that each of the small groups, and your personal reading of Perfectly Yourself, by Matthew Kelley is assisting you in deepening your personal spiritual connection with the God who desires to create in us a clean heart.