Pastor's Notes
by Father Jim Shea
Dear St. Gerard Parishioners,
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
The family was preparing for their annual vacation. Mom and dad filled the car with everything the family needed for a week's vacation. Before leaving, dad ordered all the young children to go to the restroom. Then, dad lined the kids up against the car and said, "Children, you will be sitting in the car for several hours as I drive to our vacation city . It will be dark when we arrive at the motel. So, I don't want to hear any of you asking, Are we there yet? ' Do you hear me? No one asks, 'Are we there yet!'" All the kids obediently nodded.
After an hour of driving the five year old daughter perked up and asked, "Is it dark yet?"
Wednesday we begin the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday. For some, it could mean six weeks of darkness. For others it is a wonderful opportunity to draw a little closer to our Lord through prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Ash Wednesday is NOT a holy day of obligation. However, people come out of the woodwork to receive ashes on their forehead. Receiving ashes is a very special ritual for many people. Ashes remind us that we are God's people and we are mortal. On Ash Wednesday we will schedule three Masses in Church: 6:30 am; 9:00 am; and 7:00 pm.
Regulations for Fast and Abstinence: "All persons who have completed their fourteenth year are bound by the law of abstinence; all adults are bound by the law of fast up to the beginning of their sixtieth year." ("The completion of the fourteenth year means the day after one's fourteenth birthday. The beginning of the sixtieth year means the obligation ceases at midnight between the fifty-ninth birthday and the next day .") Canon Law 1252.
The law of abstinence forbids the eating of meat. The law of fasting allows only one full meal and two lighter meals in the course of the day and prohibits eating between meals .
In the United States, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence; all other Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence only. Some form of penance is especially encouraged on all Fridays throughout the year. Pregnant women and people who are sick are not obliged to fast.
Lent is a time to pray. Let's reflect on prayer. There is a great story about prayer. And yet, the word 'prayer' is never mentioned in this story. The scoutmaster and the young tenderfoot scout were walking along a path in the woods. At the side of the path was a large rock. The young boy stared at the huge rock. You could almost see his competitive wheels churning in his head. Then he asked his scoutmaster, "Do you think, if I use all my strength, I can move that rock?"
The scoutmaster thought for a moment and said, "I think that you can move that rock, providing you use all your strength."
That was what the young scout needed to hear. He ran over to the rock and began to push on it. He pushed and he pushed. But he could not budge the rock. After a while, the scout sat down on the ground, exhausted and sweating profusely. The scout then said to the scoutmaster, "You were wrong, I can't do it."
The scoutmaster was truly a leader of young men and a man filled with faith . He very gently said, "Yes, I do believe that you can move that rock if you use all your strength. However, you did not use all your strength. You didn't ask me to help. "
For many of us, we feel that we can handle most situations by ourselves. But then, every once in a while, we find ourselves totally helpless. Our backs are against the wall. The challenge is beyond my ability. At that moment we usually cry out for help. That's when we turn to God for help .
Lent is a time that reminds us that we don't have to wait until we feel helpless to call upon God for help. We should be in the habit of praying every day. This season of Lent comes around once a year to revive our prayer life.
There are four types of prayer: Prayer of praise. Prayer of thanksgiving. Prayer of petition. Prayer of forgiveness.
Our prayer of praise looks to God, giving Him honor and praise that is due to Him. We pray in thanksgiving for the wonderful gifts our God has given to us. We pray for help in asking God for favors. And, when we mess up, we turn to God in prayer as we ask for forgiveness.
During this season of Lent it is good to remind ourselves of the acronym ASAP. Many a boss will write this acronym at the bottom of a work order. The boss does not want this job to be done As Soon As Possible, he wants it done yesterday. Let's change the acronym to mean: Always Say A Prayer. By making this change we might be able to find a new way to deal with those rough, stress filled days when were are victimized with the 'hurry' virus.
There's work to do, deadlines to meet, you 've got no time to spare. But as you hurry and scurry, ASAP - Always Say A Prayer.
In the midst of family chaos, 'Quality time' is rare. Do your best; let God do the rest, ASAP - Always Say A Prayer. It may seem like your worries are more than you can bear. Slow down and take a breather, ASAP - Always Say A Prayer. God knows how stressful life is. He wants to ease our cares . And He'll respond to all our needs, ASAP Always Say A Prayer. Today I'll say a little prayer that God will smile on you and send you all he special blessings you deserve. Pass it on ASAP.
A man filing out a blank job application came to the question, "Have you ever been arrested?" His answer was "No." The next question on the form was "Why?" Of course everyone knows that one would answer this question only if he answered "Yes" to the first question. However, this applicant answered: "Never got caught!"
Next week we'll reflect on 'getting caught' and asking forgiveness.