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March 2, 2022Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
With ashes on our foreheads, we have begun Lent’s 40 days of deeper prayer, more frequent penance and greater almsgiving. We do so because we are sinners in need of repentance. Those practices are an external manifestation of contrition - a sorrow for sin, a rejection of it and a resolution not to sin again. Contrition, along with confession of our sins and the performance of the penance we receive in the sacrament of confession, brings us forgiveness and reconciliation with God. That reconciliation should give us a deep sense of peace, relief and joy.
Lent is not only about the forgiveness of our sins. It is also about our preparation for Easter. On Good Friday, all seemed lost and beyond hope. On Easter, Christ’s Resurrection transformed death and defeat into life and victory. That victory is not only for God’s Son who was perfectly obedient to the Father but for all the baptized who, though sinners, believe in Christ, repent of sin and live in his love.
During Lent’s six-week journey to Easter we strive not only to turn from sin but to turn to Christ. We do this by growing in faith, holiness and virtue. The practices of prayer, penance and almsgiving help order our lives by detaching us from earthly things that, even if not sinful, can dull our love for Christ and diminish our awareness of his love for us. Please consider weekday Masses, praying the rosary, attending the Stations of the Cross and reading the Scriptures. Sacrificing some legitimate temporal pleasures can sharpen our spiritual appetites. Giving to those in need is giving to Christ. Going to confession is receiving God’s mercy.
On Easter Sunday St. Paul’s Epistle will exhort us to “seek that which is above” (Colossians 3:1). May our Lenten preparation free us from sins of the past and attachments to the world, that with joy in our hearts, we may not only celebrate Christ’s victory at Easter but live that victory in peace and joy throughout life and for all eternity.
With every prayerful best wish, I remain
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Robert J. McManus
Bishop of Worcester
