Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
March 14, 2001
Letters
Lent, a communal journey
Serving Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception provides a unique vantage point from which to view the congregation.
As I look across at the many faces, I often wonder what the people are thinking and what their personal struggles are — which are probably not unlike my own. I take a moment to pray for them, and hope at least one of them is also praying for me.
On Ash Wednesday the congregation looked different than usual, as everyone had a cross of ashes on their foreheads.
Several thoughts occurred to me as I watched people get up from their pews and then return with the sign of the cross. It was almost an eerie sight, which led me to think about how we're "marked for death."
Although I probably knew fewer than a handful of the people in attendance, I felt a sense of pride for the company I was in. I felt that we share a common journey.
I also felt a sense of peace about the conversion we were about to embark on. Archbishop Charles Chaput joked that "two of the four best attended Masses throughout the year are Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday." He suggested, "Cynics would say it was because something free was given away." The archbishop said that while he didn't agree with that, he was happy they were present.
I, however, thought to myself, maybe we are getting something free — the freedom we receive from God's grace as we let go of the material and the superficial that weigh down our lives and keep us separated from God.
During Lent, we embrace a challenge to be obedient to our Lord and to the Faith as we strive to love our neighbors, and ourselves as well.
Lent has traditionally been a time of extreme mortification and manifestation of our "Catholic guilt." And with it, the rule to "give up something." The New Evangelization has brought about the inspiration to "give" rather than to give up. As I evolve in my Catholic faith, Lent has become a battle — a time to put on the armor and to look at the areas in my life where I fail to see how God wants to use me. Certainly there are things I give up — distractions in the form of TV or radio that not only keep me from really being able to do God's will, but also keep me from hearing Him.
Someone once told me the root word for obedience is "to listen," which makes sense! And then there are those little habits I've latched onto, like favorite foods or whatever makes me feel good on the inside. Certainly this is a temporary fix to a permanent problem.
And then there's Satan working his best, trying to turn us against ourselves — to beat ourselves up over our failures.
God knows we must love ourselves before we can begin to love others — including Him.
I think one of the best things someone could give themselves, is to say "I may fail many times during Lent, maybe even during my life, but there are battles yet to be won — and by His grace, I'll be standing when it's done." Peace+
David Nickolaus
Denver
The ideals of service
Many thanks for calling attention to the feast of our Seven Holy Founders in the Feb. 14 Register. Their life and work have influenced many young people to join us during the last 750 years. We only wish there were more in our time. We have been here in Denver almost a hundred years, and still there are many people who do not know about us. I wonder why?
Thanks also for the references to St. Peregrine and to the idea of service which is one of the ideals of the Order, as well as devotion to Our Blessed Mother of Sorrows. Is it possible that some Servites influenced your life at one time? Your editorial for Presidents' Day and Sister Rose Mary's article about violence in TV and music were both much to the point. Both materialism and TV are having a very bad influence on the whole country. What can we do to help bring better media to Denver? The article about the Good Shepherd students and their successful rocket was most interesting and inspiring. Keep up the good work in bringing such things to our people. We are also blessed with the good solid thinking and excellent writing of our Archbishop. May God continue to give you the wisdom and strength to make Him and His teachings better known. Father Gabriel M. Weber, O.S.M.Denver
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