My friends, as always, our intent here, each week is to be in line with the Catholic church universal in its choice of readings, even when we may not always agree with the message being put forth, and it then becomes, “a teachable moment,” to address.  With that in mind, I would call attention to the gospel choice from John today in the raising of Lazarus from the dead. 

   Those of you who have attended our Mary Magdala celebrations on the farm the past few years will recognize that the gospel as written and used today is in error.  The raising of Lazarus is correct, but the prophetic words in this version spoken by Martha are really taken “out of Mary’s mouth” and put into Martha’s!  In the past few years new exegesis has been uncovered showing that some “toying” with this text was done to downplay the prophetic words of Mary – the same words spoken by Peter, that indeed, “Jesus is the Christ!” Being that this homily is going in a different direction, I felt it was best to use the text as written, and we will address this other issue at our summer Mary Magdala celebration – I merely wanted you to know that I hadn’t forgotten. 

   Today’s readings, if we are looking for a theme, are about “living in the Spirit,” and of course, that begs the question, what are those things in our human lives that keep us from “living in the Spirit,” or simply put, “being our best?”

   Do we try to keep a balance between law and love in our daily actions?  In other words, are we regularly more faithful to the law to obey, or the law to love?  It comes down to the heart over the head. 

   On the national/international stage, Pope Leo XIV gives us two examples: one positive, one not so positive on living out of our hearts rather than our heads.  In a positive, prophetic tone, Leo has courageously addressed the current administration in Washington around the issues of migration, the war in Iran, and the lack of diplomacy in working with other world leaders.  This takes much strength of character and grace to take on an administration touting many Catholic individuals and challenging them to better than they are doing. 

   The less than positive example of Pope Leo’s ministry in the Church comes from Catholic Renewal International (CCRI), who are challenging the pope about, “gathering the bishops to discuss, ‘in the Spirit,’ without inviting the people as less than “synodal.”  They are basically telling the pontiff, “The world is changing and if the hierarchy continues to turn a deaf ear, this Church will become less and less relevant.”  On the issue of making rulings “on the family,” CCRI states that it is simply wrong to not involve the people and hear their stories.

   Now, my friends, I lift up these two examples of Pope Leo doing what his baptism and role call him to, and where he isn’t doing what he should, because we the people should be able to look to our leaders for, “the way to go.” 

   And you might ask, how do we know that any particular action that we witness another doing, or we consider doing ourselves is about, “what is best,” from the “heart” primarily, as opposed to simply the “head?”  Somewhere along my own journey toward “what is best” –  what is true, what is good, I came upon the statement, “if it is from God, there will be peace.”  Those words have served me well throughout my life.  And this isn’t to say that our decision to act in a certain way will be free from fear – because we may more times than not, have to stand alone in this “good action” – but all in all, there should be peace. 

  At the beginning of this homily I said today’s readings are basically about, “living in the Spirit.”  Ezekiel tells us quite succinctly that [God] “will put [God’s] breath in [us and we] will live.”  Paul, in his letter to the Romans confirms this fact, and I paraphrase, the Spirit of God is with us, making all things new. 

   My friends, each year during Lent, our true task is to remember that our God loved us so much so as to send us our brother Jesus to very simply, “show us the way” – nothing more, nothing less.  Unfortunately, too many within our Church hierarchy and that of other Christian denominations attempt still, to confuse us with messages of, “God sending Jesus to die the ignominious death on the cross, as if to make up for our failings as humans. 

   I believe that at one time in our sacred, and holy history, this reason was enough for most of us, and it enabled us to “beat our breasts” for 40 days with no complaints.  With modern exegesis, we learned that in holding onto such a small “theology” we missed a much more expansive and better one – once again, our God simply loved us – does love us, and Jesus was all about, “giving us that good example” in living – in loving, to follow. 

   Jesus left us his Spirit so that we would never feel alone, or without the strength when we try “to be our best,” and especially, when no one stands with us.  I am presently reading one of Diana Butler Bass’ books, A People’s History of Christianity, and I will conclude today with the words of an early father of the Church, Clement of Alexandria who lived during the late 2^nd and early 3^rd  Centuries:  “ The Logos [or word] of God (the way the 2^nd person of the Trinity was often spoken of) had become [human] so that [we] might learn how a [human] may become God.” 

   Clement and others lifted up this message because they wanted to stress, “human capacities [for good] rather than consigning humanity to an endless cycle of evil that can only be escaped.”  Jesus, in his humanity said the same, and showed us all what we are capable of.

   May we each, in the remaining days of Lent, see our God as one who has and will continue to love us in an over-the-top way.  Amen? Amen!

Dear Friends,

If you are in the Winona area reading this, you have seen lightening and now steady snow and blowing. We of course won’t be meeting this morning for Mass, so you can stay home and be safe. Hopefully the power can stay on and you can stay in any simply enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature! Blessings to all! I have included the homily for your use and the readings were included in the bulletin on Friday. As always, if I can help you in any way, never hesitate to call, or email.

Peace and love,

Pastor Kathy

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My friends, Mother Nature is keeping us from being together this week, so I am submitting these possible words of wisdom – my and the Spirit’s thoughts on the chosen readings. 

   Our Scripture choices since Christmastime have very clearly called us to “be light” in our world – a world that at present is quite dark in the absence of heart-felt compassion for the People of God.  I think many of us long for some “light” to be shed in the present darkness in a world troubled by war on several fronts – physical violence being thrust on many who are basically innocent: women, children, the elderly, with no clear solution for ending the violence. 

   We live, sadly, in a world that finds too much individualism, and care for the self, along with power-hungry folks running amok, when many claim to be Christian, Catholic even, and seemly have no sense of what that means. 

   As always, let’s look at the Scriptures for guidance.  The first reading from Samuel shows us clearly God’s intent for us in our world, in the choosing of David from Jesse’s eight sons to be ruler for the Israelite people. 

   Samuel the prophet, acts as many of us do, and sees only the “physical” traits of the 1^st son presented to him.  Physical beauty and stature may be one way to judge a person, but we see our God, even in Old Testament times indicating the truest way to judge a person’s worth.  God says, [I] “ do not see as people see: people look at appearances, but I look at the heart.”

   I think we can see this human tendency of being attracted to the physical appearances of those that we might choose as life partners – while the “physical” might be what first “catches our eye,” the wise person realizes that they want someone who more often than not, acts from their heart in engaging the world.  In the case of God, David is chosen – the youngest, perhaps least prepared, but one who will ultimately act, out of his heart. 

   The remaining Scriptures continue the theme of “being light” in the world.  Paul’s letter to the Ephesians states this clearly – [God made you light – live then] “as children of the light.”  As “children of the light,” we must realize that this calls us to every kind of goodness.  Paul continues, “take no part in vain deeds done in darkness.”  It is perhaps a given, but we must realize that Paul is “diving deeper” than a simple understanding, black and white explanation of light and dark.  “Light” in Paul’s sense here, and later in Jesus’ encounter with the blind man in today’s gospel is about “claiming light” for all that is good and noble, while “darkness” better addresses those traits devoid of heart. 

   And as always, we need, in our personal, Christian walks to make these Scriptures our own; basically, asking the question that Jesus addresses in today’s gospel.  I think we see an urgency in his words that, “while he is in the world, he is the Light of the World.” And again, if we are serious about following in Jesus’ footsteps, then we must try and decide what it means to be “light,” and then act as “lights” in our world. 

   A wonderful story presented itself this week on CBS’ On the Road segment with Steve Hartman.  The piece was entitled, Dave the Wave. Dave is one of those wonderful people who comes into the world with a full heart to share.  Dave also had some disabilities in learning, but more than made up for these with his big heart.  Everyone in the small town where he lived, “knew” Dave, his name and who he was – someone who reached out to everyone that he met, greeting them at the very least, and sharing more if people wished.  He went to every basketball and football game, and rooted for the home team.  People watched out for Dave because of the way he treated others, with love and respect.  His brother, who checked in regularly on Dave to see that his needs were being met, marveled at how when they walked the streets together, everyone knew Dave’s name, but no one knew his (the brother’s) name.  This brother wasn’t envious, but knew that in many ways, people responded and cared for Dave because it was reciprocal.  Dave is a “light” in his world. 

   As I indicated earlier, there is much in our world that is more about “darkness” than “light,” and we as Jesus’ followers must be about bringing light – goodness into that darkness.  Being a Christian is never, ever about being “status quo,” doing the minimum. 

   Through our baptisms and confirmations, “we are sent,” as was the blind man in the gospel today. Siloam, the pool that “freed” this man of his blindness, means, “to be sent,” in both the Hebrew and the Greek, and we see in this example, how Jesus’ teachings are always really “loaded” with meaning.  And the meaning extends to us today through Jesus’ Spirit that makes his words, timeless.  Thus, we too, are being “sent” and with a purpose, “to make a difference in our world.” If Christians are “living and breathing” in our world, and we don’t see anything, or very little that resembles “light” – goodness, we might rightly say that something has been missed.

   Someone once said, to act as true Christians in our world is for “grownups.”  And given that, we should realize that “trying to be a Christian,” outside of the status quo won’t always leave us feeling “comfortable,” nor should it – “heart work” takes “being our best,” and if that sounds, too hard, then let us remember, we don’t do this work alone – just as David who had “the Spirit mightily with him,” once he said “yes,”  the same will be true for us.

   The psalm response for today comes from #23 – “Shepherd me O’ God beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.  And finally, friends, it has been said, “the suffering we experience is sometimes the ‘very door’ where God will enter – to draw closer…  Amen? Amen!

      My friends, as we continue our Lenten journey, this week’s Scriptures go a long way it seems to address our everyday lives – the struggles that we face in being true to our baptisms and our confirmational commitments to follow our brother Jesus.  From the Old Testament book of Exodus, on through Paul’s words to the Romans, and Jesus’ exchange with the Samaritan woman in John’s gospel, we too are being taught and counseled like the people of old in very good ways to carry on with Jesus’ message in our world today – a message, by the way, which is the fulfillment of all that came before it. 

   As we spoke of last week, there is much in our daily lives, in the world in which we live today, that is down-right discouraging, and I think it is easy, in that light, to understand Moses’ lament to God in the 1^st reading: “What am I to do?” and further, “God, where are you?” We see in that 1^st reading, Moses’ loving God responding with the “stuff” of life – water first, and later food, if we continue on with the reading. 

   Moses and the Israelite people no doubt learned a bit about the challenge of faith in  this encounter with God, hopefully realizing that “faith” is a gift with responsibilities for both parties involved – the giver and the receiver. 

   Paul, in his letter to the Romans, spells out further the true, fuller gift of faith.  He says, faith brings with it hope, that we can do what otherwise might seem impossible, except for this gift, which makes us strong.

   He continues, our hope is strong because of love, “poured into our hearts by the Spirit.” This reminds me of Jesus’ final words to his followers before physically leaving them:  “Do not be afraid, I will be with you always!”  The gift of his Spirit was his final gift to them and us.

   Then Jesus continues the instruction for the Samaritan woman, his followers and us in the wonderful exchange at the well.   In this story we see clearly Jesus’ penchant for taking people’s surface understanding of a topic, deeper. 

   The Samaritan woman, coming to the well, looking for physical water, eventually came to see that a different type of “water” was being offered!  But this story is wonderful too, for a different reason, in that Jesus gives us a clear path to follow in encountering others “on our journey”  through life.

   His culture told him that not only should he not be talking to a woman in public, but also, not a “Samaritan” woman  whom “all good Jews” were supposed to shun, even though they were Jews too!  Jesus ignores this law which clearly was not about love, and was therefore able to do so much, more good.  By his ignoring a loveless law, Jesus taught everyone in his hearing that when we look for those things that unite us, rather than what divides, we truly choose the better path. 

   And one final comment from these readings comes from the psalmist today in #95:  “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”  In order to follow our brother Jesus, we need to have hearts of flesh, not of stone.  A “heart of flesh” as Jesus gave our world, would have allowed Bishop Barron to meet with us when we asked…  That is why I handed out stones when you arrived today – as you carry your stones around this week in your pocket, perhaps it will remind you that meeting our world with “hearts of flesh,” instead of stone, will get us much further.

   As you may be aware, March is Women’s History Month – and in fact, today is International Women’s Day!  March holds 31 days to remember the often-forgotten women of history – and many times, they were forgotten, simply because they weren’t men!  Former CBS News anchor, Norah O’Donnell, has a new book out, We the Women, remembering many of these memorable females.  I look forward to reading it! 

     March is therefore, a good time to remember the women in our lives and thank them for the gifts they gave us that made us who we are today – gifts many times taken for granted . And as I say this, I do realize that some of the women who have been part of our lives may not have been positive influences, but be that as it may, we all have many women who have been guides for us to follow.  You all have your own list to remember, and I will share just a few comments here regarding the plight of women in our world today, and why it is important to remember them. 

• Because both Church and State are very patriarchal places, women when paired with men, always, always have a tougher time, basically responding to a world that has been taught to believe that a woman is less than any man simply because of how they happen to have been born!  And if you don’t believe that, ask yourself why this country, in nearly 250 years, has been unable to elect a woman president, when in the last 10 years, two superiorly qualified women have tried and failed to be given the chance to lead in this way.  And, I would add, they didn’t fail, but our country did! 
• Our Church is no better, and I would submit, even slower to move than the country in general where women are concerned.  And women can’t change these ignorant ideas of “less than” perpetrated by men in positions of power, and sadly, by some women too, in both Church and State, by themselves.  Men who love women must be advocates for their sisters, wives, daughters, granddaughters and women friends declaring the lie when they hear it, and see it.  Not that a woman is better than a man, but all things being equal, she should not have to fight against the sexist notion of “being less than” from the get-go. 

   I think we have moved past the unfortunate situation that Hillary Clinton faced in 2016, when part of the commentary introducing her at the Democratic National Convention as the 1^st woman ever to be nominated by a national political party to run for president, included a description of “what she was wearing!” I don’t recall what her opponent was wearing!

   And even though some of this may be getting better, we have to keep in mind that so much of this, we call it sexism, is very subtle.  Women in my age group grew up “believing” almost unconsciously that they needed permission, especially in matters of faith from a man, who “stood” in the place of God, for all intents and purposes. 

   Our beloved Church, in well over 2,000 years, in its hierarchy of men, has not uplifted the calls of women to be priests, and I’m not holding my breath that they will anytime soon.  I, along with many Roman Catholic Women Priests, in the early days, struggled with our God-given calls to pursue priesthood for service, in a Church led by men who said, “No.”

   Earlier I mentioned the need for men to “speak truth to power” when they hear the lie of women’s unworthiness and of how important that is.  One such man in my journey to priesthood was a Southern Baptist minister who was my instructor in chaplain training.  Seeing my frustration with the Catholic church, of not hearing, “Father say it was okay,” my instructor, Mark Hart said, “Kathy, you don’t have to have anyone’s permission to do what God is calling you to do!”  This was a life-changing moment for me!  And of course, Robert’s support along the way has meant the world to me!  So, men, don’t underestimate the power you have to speak up for the women in your lives – for their goodness and humble worthiness to follow their calls in Church and State – wherever that may lead.

   Finally, my friends, many of us lament that our younger people have pretty much in mass walked away from Church affiliation, across the denominations.  And with eyes wide open, ears fully tuned, we should be able to understand that when we don’t listen to new ideas, and can’t accept the worth in all created beings, the days when we can hold the minds and hearts of our younger, less indoctrinated people, are really gone!

   In conclusion then, our brother Jesus said something really wonderful to the Samaritan woman in today’s gospel that we should take into our present day lives – would that our hierarchical men could as well!  Jesus said to her:  “If you only recognized who it is who is asking you for a drink…”  For us my friends, we need to take that a step further – “If we only recognized who  it is who is asking us for some food, for a bed, for respect, and so on…”  Friends, it only matters that Jesus gave himself as gift so many, many years ago, if we can then see him today in the imploring of the needy in our midst.  “Open your eyes and see, [he says], the fields are ready for the harvest!”  Amen? Amen!

My friends, this week’s Scriptures speak to us very clearly about what it means to be “in relationship” with our Loving God, and additionally, what it means to truly follow our brother Jesus.  Let’s take a cursory look and then, as always, we will try and dive deeper into just what these Scriptures might mean for us today, because as you know, these readings are just “words on the page,” unless we are willing to act upon them. 

   First off, if we were looking for a general theme for today, the psalmist in #33 gives us a good one, “The Creator loves justice and right.”  And very quickly we see that through our “relationship with God,” as we read from the Old, or First Testament, “God will be God for us, and we will be God’s people, that relationship comes with duties. 

   In the Genesis reading today, we see our forebears in the faith, Abram and Sarai, later to become, Sarah and Abraham, are called by God to do their part, and it is no small part at that! God asks them to “go forth from their kinfolk and [what is] familiar to [them]. God continues, “I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you.”

   On first glance, this might sound pretty straight forward, so let’s look closer.  For Abram and Sarai, and the Israelite people in general, their families and homes were everything to them and they are being asked to leave both, family and home, so in many ways, this is a “big deal.” And it is such a big deal that as a covenant or promise between God and them is made, “I will be your God, and you will be my people,” the deal is sealed, as it were, by each taking a new name – Sarai becomes Sarah, and Abram becomes Abraham.

   Before leaving Genesis, we might wonder out loud, what gave these two forebears in the faith the strength to do what they did? We call them, “our forebears in the faith” for one very important reason – “they left all they knew, walking ‘in faith,’ not knowing what would come next” – we friends are called many times, to the same.

   We get added good counsel from Paul in his letter to Timothy today: “Do not be ashamed of me” – or to testify about God.” I think most of us who admit to having a good conscience, have been challenged from time to time in our lives to do the “right thing,” speak the word that no one else will speak, but that needs to be spoken. And of course, the easier thing is to remain, “silent with the crowd” because we want to be liked and loved by family and friends.  But, the “rubber does really meet the road” when we find ourselves disagreeing at “heart level” with family and close friends. 

   Trying to live as Jesus did, always choosing what is best for all, reminds me of a class via zoom that I had the good fortune to take recently, entitled, Leo XIII – Leo XIV.   It was presented by theologian, Sister Dawn Nothwehr, Rochester Franciscan. 

   The class was intended to help us see how being involved in social justice has long, if not always, been a part of Catholic Social Teaching, whether it is consistently acted upon or not.  You will recall that Pope Leo XIII, in 1891 wrote the encyclical, Rerum Novarum, more commonly known as, the encyclical for “the Workers.”

   Catholic social teaching has always instructed that persons look at the conditions of life around them and try and match that up with what we know of God’s plan for all through the Scriptures, and also through the wisdom of others that comes from the Spirit of God.  The answers that come to those so engaged are never easy – we might say, “black and white.” 

   If we look to Pope Leo XIII, we see this dilemma.   During the time he composed, Rerum Novarum, 1891, capitalism and socialism were vying for prominent places in society.  Each had some good things to offer, but neither was a complete answer with regard to what Leo thought was, “being a good Christian.”

   With capitalism, individual rights were uplifted, which in and of itself was good, but that notion carried to the extreme worked against the Christian ethic of caring for the poor.  Socialism, while having a tenet of caring for the poor in conjunction with Christian principles, was too involved in individual lives, Leo thought, basically taking many personal rights away. 

   Thus, Rerum Novarum seemed “to fall” as a balance to both social ideas: It encouraged a just wage for workers, shorter workdays (common was 12-15 hours a day), protections for workers, safer work environments, days off, and so on…He also advocated for the right of individuals to own property, and this too, within balance. 

   I believe our present Pope Leo chose his new name to make clear that he would follow in his predecessor Leo’s footsteps being aware of the great imbalance in our world between the “haves and have-nots.” 

   So, my friends, I think from this example, we can clearly see that “doing what is right,” including all, is never easy.  Our 3^rd reading today from Matthew’s gospel gives us perhaps, the tone we should use in our Christian-like endeavors.  Peter, the impetuous one, responds from his heart in the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus with Moses and Elijah, “Teacher, how good that we are here!”  This particular line from Scripture has always been one of my favorites.  The times in which we live are, if truth be told, so discouraging in many ways – much that is going on in our country through lack of leadership, lying, selfishness, meanness, and likewise in our world, deflates our best desires for peace and goodwill for all.  But, my friends, at the end of the day, I can say with Peter, “It is good that we are here!”  I can say this because I know that each of you is here too – each of you working against those lowest denominator qualities, striving for peace, lovingkindness, justice, mercy and love. And a final comment from our brother Jesus, that gives me great hope, “Don’t be afraid, because I am with you always!” Amen? Amen!

My friends, yes, Lent is upon us once again. For some, just mention of the word brings up negative feelings – for others, Lent may be about “inviting” a “welcome” time of 40 Days into your life to look more introspectively, trying to see, as we reflect each week during Mass, “if we have been the people that Jesus calls us to be.”  So, wherever you may be on the continuum of “yah to nah” on Lent, let’s start there. 

   As always, let’s begin with the chosen readings for today:  You know from previous homilies that for the most part, I always stick to the chosen readings because I want us to be in step with our Universal Church.  And even when it is the case that the readings aren’t that good, as with the 1^st two for today, it is a place to start and we can then go further.

   Take the first reading from Genesis today—did anyone other than me think it strange that we start out with the “earth creature” whom we assume from other translations to be Adam, enjoying the beauties of the garden that God has created, and then the jump of a chapter to introduce the woman just in time to bring “sin” into the world? 

   Granted, “our sinfulness” is what is trying to be lifted up throughout the readings, but I also suspect that the ages-old tendency, “to blame the woman” is afoot here as well, even though in a few lines not included in this reading, we hear that God put the “earth creature” to sleep and divided it into [equal parts], creating male and female entities.  So, this tendency, “to blame the woman” even though, a subtle thing, in a patriarchal culture,  is one to note just the same.

   Then, moving into the 2^nd reading from Paul to the Romans – in my mind, he protests too much.  His intent in preaching to the Romans who knew little or nothing of Jesus, was no doubt to have them get a clear picture of who Jesus was, but I for one, object to the picture he is portraying here.  Why does the act of making a human choice have to be carried on through all of humanity and their history, in order that Jesus can then come and save us from ourselves? This is faulty reasoning if we are to believe in the graciousness and mercy of God. 

   It is probably this reading where the notion of original sin comes from, and the need for God—and not a loving God, at that, to be appeased through the death of Jesus.  This so-called “theology” is so flawed, as it makes God so small-minded, so small-hearted, as Sister Joan Chittister would say of such theology, so vindictive—more like us than God, who in other places—we are told, “is all-loving and all-merciful.”  Theologian, Sister Sandra Schneiders speaks of Jesus’ God, thus, “God was not only compassionate, but compassion itself.”  We can’t believe both narratives—that of a vindictive God and that of an all-loving, all-understanding God—as in the God of the “Prodigal,” a story of over-the-top love which we will read later on in Lent. 

   Then, we have the gospel from Matthew that you will recall is all about Jesus’ “temptations to power,” as he prepares for his public ministry.  Anyone called to leadership will always be tempted by the power that can come with the role.  Jesus is aware of this and thus tries to make himself strong through fasting and prayer, in order to avoid this very strong temptation and keep focused on his mission. 

   Fasting from food, as all “good Catholics” are counseled to do during Lent, has its place in our lives if it prepares us to better focus on moving out of ourselves to see the needs of others, to in fact be better people.  I personally tend, as you know, to shy away from fasting as prescribed by the Church during Lent as I can’t seem to separate it from the notion of “dieting” and this conundrum was validated for me a few years back in a piece that I read in the National Catholic Reporter (NCR) on fasting and the different take that many women have on the topic.  Of course, this article was written by a woman!

   Because many women have grown up with the false impression, created by our male-centered culture, that women are only acceptable if they have a certain body type and shape, fasting takes on a whole different notion for women than it does for men, the writer said.  There is a reason friends, why more women than men, in our culture, suffer from anorexia and bulimia.

   The men in charge, the writer continues, say that you can’t unite the two, that is, using a time of fasting to lose a few extra pounds.  And that is why I have stopped trying.   If I happen to be dieting during Lent, (when am I not trying to lose those extra pounds?!),  I call it “dieting” and forget about fasting, for what that is worth.

   So, let’s take what we have here and go deeper, as we are always called to do.  The Church hierarchy wants us to get the notion, and never forget it, “that we are a sinful people, mea culpa, mea culpa,” thus the 1^st two readings from Genesis and Romans. I spoke of my objections to both readings from the way in Genesis that the message is parsed out, emphasizing the “woman” as the chief sinner, and in the 2^nd reading where Paul lays out the “apparent need” that this “original” sin be passed on through all of our human history, so that every newborn baby coming into our “Catholic” world is considered “sin” instead of “blessing” as the Creator intended.

   Again, this is a time to let God be God, and not create a God that appears like us, mean and despicable at times.  As I said above, later on in Lent, we will read of a “Prodigal God” who will always “run to meet us” when we “want to come home.”

   So, what are we to do with these 40 Days?  If the counsel to “fast and pray and give alms,” as our bishop apparently suggests, not even connected to any of the injustices in our society, doesn’t quite do it for us, how shall we observe this time and make it meaningful?   As we suggested last week in discussing the commandment, “that we not kill,” there are many ways to “kill” – through words and inaction, there are also many ways to “fast.” 

   But 1^st off, I must say,  if fasting from food helps you to grow closer to Jesus and live in our world as he did in his, speaking truth to power, and advocating for “the least among us,” I am not discouraging it, but if it simply leaves you with an “ugh” feeling, then you may want to “fast” in a different way:  you can fast perhaps from nagging a loved one, or from using your sharp tongue, tone, or wit to denigrate another,  or from selfishness with your time, or from judgmentalism, or snobbishness, or the need to have things done your way, and the list can go on.  I am sure we can each find ourselves somewhere in that list. 

   And in the end, if we don’t come out on the other side of Lent knowing that we are mightily loved by our God, flawed as we are, then, I would think we had missed something important.  When you really look at Jesus’ earthly life, you have to conclude that he was an astounding person, and to follow in his ways—actions and words—we certainly could do worse!  He was one who saw the goodness of his Abba in all he met and continually worked for the good of all—he saw all as, “his Body and Blood—the eucharist, in the best sense of that word…and so should we.

   So, my friends, I hope that I have instilled today the notion, that “religious practices,” fasting, prayer and almsgiving, “set on a shelf,” as it were, apart from our lives – our day in and day out encounters with the Christ, in the humanity of all who come into our lives, kind of misses the point. Lent isn’t intended to be a feat to be accomplished, but as a path forward.

   And we do need to be strong to respond as Pastor Chad Ellenburg of Pleasant Valley church did with his community last Sunday here in Winona.  Keeping in mind that his community, unlike in traditional Catholic churches, can fire him if they don’t like the message he is preaching, what he had to say was quite astounding and prophetic. I shared the link to his homily earlier in the week, and if you haven’t yet listened to it, I would encourage you to do so.  We should pray for each other that we could have such strength. One of the lines he gave in addressing why he felt he needed to connect the Scriptures to all that is happening in our world, was this: He said, “I don’t want to be late on this!”

   And let’s pray for our world and each other that we can more often remember that we came into this world as “blessings” and must strive to be a blessing to all we meet.  If we do that on a regular basis, I think we can consider humbly not only “Lenten Days,” but most days of our lives successful!  Amen? Amen!

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And with that spirit in mind, I would invite you, if you wish, to come up to receive ashes, remembering that “We have come from the good earth, and will return there one day.”  This beautiful Lenten ritual should help us remember our place among all created life in our world.