Since the 10th century we Christians have begun our Lenten observance with the ancient Latin hymn Attende, Domine, et miserere, quia peccavimus tibi. (“Look down, O Lord, and have mercy, for we have sinned against You.”) I mentioned last Sunday that I do not believe Catholics are obsessed with sin, as many in society would claim about us. There are people who laugh at the phrase “Catholic guilt” and think our religion causes us to constantly feel guilty or ashamed. If you’ll pardon the old-fashioned response, what a bunch of poppycock!

We Catholics believe that God loves us so much that He sent His only Son into the world that whosoever would believe in Jesus would live forever (John 3:16). Jesus was constantly preaching love and forgiveness as He taught and healed throughout Galilee, Samaria and Judea. Jesus embraced all, but never embraced their sin. Just as His cousin John the Baptist had preached, Jesus’ message included a call to conversion (away from sin and toward God).

Perhaps the reason that others think Catholicism is too-focused on sin is that we are ready to admit to God, ourselves and others that we are indeed sinners who need help. Not many people out there these days are willing to do that. We call this humility. But please be careful: humility isn’t beating oneself up. Instead, it’s an attitude that honestly recognizes our strengths and weaknesses, what we can do ourselves and when we need someone else’s help.

God knows we have been trying to get over our own sin and selfishness and solve our problems ourselves. We obviously have not been able to… So, in the fullness of time God sent His Son to save us and forgive us. How? Well, we remember His words in each Mass: “Take this all of you and drink from it: for this is the chalice of my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of Me.” Our Blessed Savior sacrificed Himself for us, so important and beloved are we.

So, I wouldn’t say we are obsessed with sin - instead I’d say it’s a pretty healthy recognition that we have needed help and our God is ready and desires to do just that. More than that, in fact. Beyond mercy and forgiving us God desires to give us a new and eternal life!

As every year during Lent we carve out 40 days to renew our humility and admit our sins. We turn back to God and ask Him to forgive us and save us. Since the very beginning of the Church we have followed the customs of Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving (Gifts and Works of Mercy) during Lent. Please take some time to read through our bulletin to consider the various opportunities we have for prayer, fasting (although not during the Fish-Fry!!) and almsgiving at St. John Vianney. Especially beneficial this year will be the Parish Mission, “The Missing Piece” on Feb. 25, 26, 27.

God bless you all and may the Lord bless our parish this Lent. Let’s pray for each other.

In Christ,

Fr. David

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