Let the journey begin

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

A reflection on the daily readings, for Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, by Father Perry.

+ And the journey begins.

 

Replete with ritual, words, images, actions

There is a smearing of ashes.

We are called to repent and believe in the Gospel.

In the olden days we heard the phrase: “Dust to dust; ashes to ashes” — and with that our mortality came swiftly to mind.

And with that our need to pay attention to our lives, to our sin, to our need for repentance and renewal, to our connection to God and grace, and blessing and promise to the wonderful mercy our God is.

 

To the great gift of ‘the journey of a lifetime’

Like any journey, it takes some preparation and attention to details that we need to do.

The greatest event of all comes in the Easter celebration, and we just simply cannot not be ready for it.

The better the Lent, the better the Easter.

Today, make a plan! Don’t worry if you keep it perfectly!
Change the plan along the journey if a change makes good sense.

And so, we need to read and hear the word in a wonderfully intuitive way.

Oh yes, we are to do some things literally; the list is long and available to all who will dare to be open to it.

There is fasting and repenting and praying and giving alms, and being attentive to the poor and the needy.

There is reconciling with self and God and others, and opening more to God’s word.

There is stopping this and that, that gets in the way of good living.

Stop sinning and do more gracing; simplify, magnify, beautify; and even render hearts, not garments — but why not garments, too?!

Today, make a plan! Don’t worry if you keep it perfectly! Change the plan along the journey if a change makes good sense.

But most of all, invite God into it all. Do not go on this journey alone.

Join with the whole church. There are millions out there doing it alone and together.

But most of all let the Holy One in — as God will make every step along the journey more and more blessed, more full of grace, and more wonderful!

Intuitively, we know that our God is calling and inviting and loving and blessing.

Intuitively, we know that this is bigger than us, and we have everything to gain by letting go and letting God.

Are we ready? Are we willing? Are we open?

Let the journey begin!

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Father Perry D. Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.