“Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God. For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment.” — Joel 2:12-13Baptism united us with the LORD, but we all wander away from him throughout our lives. This Lent, the Church is calling us to return to the LORD by recalling three important truths about ourselves and God:
- Remember You Are Dust: Recall your sinfulness, mortality, and need for God’s mercy by repenting and recommitting to prayer, fasting, and the works of mercy.
- Remember Your Baptism: Recall how Jesus saved you from sin, death, and the power of the devil by contemplating the grace of baptism at work in your life.
- Remember Christ’s Sacrifice: Recall how Jesus suffered and died out of love for you as you prepare for Holy Week and the Easter season.
Together, let us return to the LORD with our whole hearts, confident in his mercy and kindness.
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” — Matthew 28:18-20The Risen LORD united himself with us even more closely when he ascended into heaven and sent the Holy Spirit. This Easter, the Church is pointing us to three places where we can encounter the LORD and make disciples:
- He Is in Your Heart: The LORD is present within you by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit; encounter him in prayer and the scriptures.
- He Is in the Church: The LORD is present in the Body of Christ; encounter him in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, and the people of God.
- He Is in Your Neighbor: The LORD is present in the poor, the suffering, and the lost; encounter him through evangelization and the works of mercy.
Together, let us walk in the presence of the Risen LORD and carry out the mission he gave us.
