February 2018
Matthew (MT 6:16-18)
“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
Vincentian Reflection
And here we are, exactly one week into Lent. This season offers much to us – fasting, abstinence, and the many forms of devotion and renewal emphasized and practiced as part of lent.
In comparison the season of Advent and the subsequent season of Christmas, resplendent with seasonal music, decorations, and traditions all seem so distinctly noisy.
Not that Lent is quiet. Indeed, the surrounding secular world provides us with a cacophony of noise; newscasts with talking heads bleating about the disaster of the day, murderous rampages with or without cause are all too common, and the seemingly inexorable interpersonal disconnection of an increasingly connected world can make one wonder if the word friendship has been re-purposed. I am confident anyone listening has already thought of another example of the noise surrounding us today.
Which is why we need lent. With all of the scriptural basis, with all of the learned wisdom of our mother church, we have this gift of lent.
In lent we endeavor to silence, albeit temporarily, the noise of the corporeal world. In the resultant silence we can strive to find that which we need most in our lives – a closer connection and relationship with our Lord and Savior. For as we all know, a renewed friendship with God will not only enable us to better cope with the noise and better serve our Vincentian purpose, but will also help pave the road to our salvation.
Welcome to 10 Angels 