What’s your focus for Lent?

03-07-2021Pastor's CornerRev. Robert J. Deehan, V.F.

Some might say, I’m going to work at avoiding these certain sins. Others might say, I’m going to try to pray more to make God a more important part of my life. Well, it might help to, first, ask yourself this important, fundamental question. What is your ultimate goal as a Catholic? I often hear people say, “My goal is to get to heaven!” Yes, a worthy goal. But, is that the best reason?

If you’re of a certain age, you may remember learning the difference between perfect and imperfect contrition. Both are sufficient to obtain God’s forgiveness, however sacramental confession of grave sins is still necessary. Imperfect contrition is having sorrow for sin “because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell.” The old form of the Act of Contrition continues, “but most of all because I have offended thee, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love.” In other words, a more perfect reason for having sorrow for one’s sins is not merely out of fear of going to hell or losing the “reward” of heaven, but because you have offended someone who loves you more than you know and who wants something better for you.

One’s focus for Lent should ultimately be about one’s love of God and His love and desire for you. So, I suggest that in your personal prayer, you ask Jesus to help you deepen your relationship with Him – as a trusted love one. Get to truly know Him, to love him more deeply, and to follow Him more closely. In this effort, your focus is on desiring what Jesus desires for you now, to think like He thinks, to act like He acts, to be like Him as much as you can. Pray with some passages in one of the Gospels to help you develop a deeper knowledge and friendship with Jesus. Talk with Him about what you’re reading and listen to what He is saying to you. And, as you grow more in the likeness of Jesus, then, when you meet Him at the final judgement, He’s going to look at you and say, “I know you – I can see myself in you… come my friend and be with me for eternity.”

Try this focus for Lent and see what a difference it will make in your life.

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