Dear Parishioners,
As we begin this holy season of Lent, the Church gently leads us into the desert with Jesus Christ. The Gospel this Sunday (cf. Gospel of Luke 4:1–11) presents Jesus facing temptation in the wilderness. Before He begins His public ministry, He fasts, prays, and confronts the subtle voice of the tempter. This scene sets the tone for our own Lenten journey.
The readings of last Sunday spoke about freedom and choice. God created us in His own image and likeness and endowed us with freedom. Freedom is God’s gift. But what we do with that freedom—that is our choice.
Lent places before us the same question: What will we choose? Comfort or conversion? Self-will or God’s will? Sin or grace?
Temptation often appeals to good things in the wrong way—bread, power, security. Jesus overcomes temptation not by argument alone, but by trusting the Father completely. He teaches us that real freedom is not doing whatever we want; it is choosing what is right.
This is why the Church gives us the powerful practices of prayer, fasting, penance, and almsgiving.
Prayer deepens our relationship with God. In prayer we remember who we are and whose we are. Without prayer, we become spiritually weak. With prayer, we gain clarity and strength.
Fasting trains the heart. By voluntarily giving up something good, we learn self-control. We discover that we do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from God. Fasting creates space for grace.
Penance helps us turn away from sin and back to God. Lent is not about guilt; it is about growth. It is about allowing God to heal what is wounded in us.
Almsgiving moves us outward. It reminds us that love of God must lead to love of neighbor. When we give generously, we loosen the grip of selfishness and participate in God’s mercy.
In a world that often confuses freedom with indulgence, Lent reminds us that true freedom comes through discipline and love. Each day presents choices. Each small decision—to pray instead of scroll, to forgive instead of resent, to give instead of keep—strengthens our spiritual muscles.
Let us enter this season with courage. The desert is not a place of defeat; it is a place of encounter. If we walk with Christ, we will not only resist temptation—we will grow in grace.
May this Lent be a time of real freedom, wise choices, and renewed hearts for us all.
