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Lenten Reflection

~Monsignor Sheehy, March 9th 2009

Dear Friends,

As we approach the half way point in the Season of Lent, I offer the following for reflection. As I read the daily newspapers and watch the news on TV, it occurs to me ever more clearly how different are the ways of the Gospel and those of the world. Jesus had spoken of this difference when he said that He would give us a true peace of heart: “My peace I give to you, not as the world gives.”

The following are thoughts which bear consideration if we are to be true to the opportunity which Lent brings to us this year.

1) We must begin to sense that the spirit of the world is taking us over to the extent that we no longer have time for a period of daily ‘quiet’ to make a connection with God. Hastening through the day, many have convinced themselves that there is just no time for even ten minutes to allow a peaceful quiet and calm to enter the soul. And yet, looking back over any particular day, the honest person will admit that there was at least ten minutes for this essential practice. There is no doubt whatsoever that making a definite time to be with God should be the top priority in planning how to use our day. Without this effort, it is a kind of ‘pretend’ Catholicism that we are living. God will speak in the inmost heart, giving light and strength to bear the burdens of the day. But we must make sure that we give Him the opportunity.

2) The Forty Days Vigil of Prayer is being carried out across Canada and the United States asking God to protect and bless the unborn child. Here in Toronto, we are all welcome to join others in prayer near a place when abortions are being performed. Abortion – the taking of a human life given by God. This terrible evil of our age is not something which we can ignore. I encourage any who can to make their way to the Lawrence and Dufferin area where you will find wonderful people who wish to save the unborn child from destruction. At the same time, never hesitate to defend this most important moral principle that God gives life and only God can take it back. Our society has developed a lack of respect for human life to the point that Pope John Paul II would say that we now live in a culture of death not of life.

3) Our Blessed Mother Mary was given to us by her Son from the Cross on Calvary. She knows and understands us; she is a mother who wishes to protect and help us. We have troubles and fears, hopes and desires, and with her help we will be guided and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, as the Spirit came with her when she visited her cousin Elizabeth. I urge an ever more careful praying of the rosary. Whether one says only a part of it at a time, or takes the time to say the decades as whole, it is a course of great union with Mary who brings us to her Divine Son. The rosary is a humble, simple prayer which has immense power for good in our lives. Take up the rosary once again, or learn how to pray it. For those who have had a devotion to the rosary through the years, let us be more careful in meditating on the mysteries which we encounter there.

4) Witnessing to one’s Catholic faith in society has become extremely important. It is not easy any more to say that one is Catholic in a world which so many times scorns the Catholic Church and its members as backward and ‘mediaeval.’ But the quiet and sincere statement that one is a Catholic in some circumstances can be an act of courage and great love for the Lord. We never know what such a simple profession may do for someone who is listening.

The following is a reminder about the Lenten schedule for Blessed Trinity

- each Friday we have two Masses: 8:00 am and 7:30 pm - after the Saturday 9:00 am Mass each week we have a continental breakfast in the parish hall followed by our Scripture study on the Acts of the Apostles - stations of the Cross are held each Friday evening at 7:00 pm - our opportunity to give Lenten alms comes with the Sharelife contributions we make.

Wishing you all the blessings of this Lenten Season and looking forward with you to a great Spring and the joy of Easter!

Msgr. A. Sheehy