Life-teen update (02-25-2007)

Greetings, salutations, and a very happy Lent to everyone. I have always found the thought of a happy Lent to be interesting. I know that growing up I always associated Lent with some of the most intense suffering known to mankind, giving up chocolate. It also meant my yearly trip to the confessional for reconciliation. As forestated, the most intense suffering known to mankind. This view of Lent as the Church’s official liturgical season of gloomy depression seems to be relatively widespread. For those of you who attended mass on Ash Wednesday you heard the gospel reading from Matthew about how to fast and pray, and there was nothing gloomy or depressing about it. Jesus tells us, “But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting.” Fasting is not something that needs to be broadcast to the entire world, it is between us and God. Our suffering during this time of Lent is not something that we should fear or avoid. We should happily embrace it and allow it to draw us closer to our God who loves us. As Christians we don’t have the same view on suffering as the rest of the world. Suffering is something that can bring about great good in our lives if it helps us turn towards God. During this Lenten season I encourage all of you to think about what you are sacrificing and giving up for the Lord. If it is something that is easy or fails to challenge you in your daily life, then I encourage you to take on something that makes you suffer just a little more. If you are looking for something that will definitely challenge your daily routine than I encourage you to come to daily mass every day at 7:20am before you head to school. I guarantee it will be good fore you and help you to grow closer to God.