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March 27, 2022Dear Parishioners,
We are now in the midst of Lent. Very often we call it the “40” of Lent. There is a strong Biblical foundation for observing a 40 day period of more intense prayer, fasting and almsgiving (we should be doing these things year round). The Scriptures are full of the significance of the number 40.
In the Old Testament, God punished mankind by sending a flood over the earth for 40 days and nights. The people of Nineveh repented of their sins with 40 days of fasting. The Prophet Ezekiel lay on his right side for 40 days as a precursor to the siege and destruction of Jerusalem. The Prophet Elijah fasted and prayed for 40 days on Mount Horeb. Moses fasted 40 days and nights while on Mount Sinai. Moses and the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 penitential years until they entered the Promised Land.
While there are many references to 40 days in the Old Testament, the main reason Lent is 40 days is in imitation of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, the Lord fasted for 40 days and nights in the desert in preparation for the beginning of His public ministry. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us: “By the solemn forty days of Lent the Church unites herself each year to the mystery of Jesus in the desert.”
Yet, counting out exactly the 40 days takes more than a little work. The season of Lent (Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday) is technically, give or take, 44 days. We could do some math to make the number of days for penance and fasting before Easter 40 (44 days minus 6 Sundays, plus Good Friday and Holy Saturday equals 40). Yet that still does not take into account the two solemnities which usually fall within Lent and are not days of penance and fasting (e.g. St. Joseph’s Day [March 19] and the Annunciation [March 25]). Further, Sundays are still technically part of Lent (hence the reason why we number them 1st Sunday of Lent, 2nd, and so on. Also, the readings for each Sunday frame each Lenten week). At the very least Lent is a symbolic 40 days of more intense prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
This Sunday, March 27th at 6:00pm we begin our Annual Parish Lenten Mission. Parishes throughout the diocese host these missions to provide edification and encouragement in the midst of Lent. It is another opportunity to grow in our appreciation for our Lord and the faith. Fr. Nathan Ricci will lead the retreat. Fr. Ricci is a brilliant young priest who currently serves as the Vice-Chancellor and the Administrative Assistant to the Bishop. He lives at the seminary where he helps the formation program for priesthood. His topic is the “Fatherhood of St. Joseph.” He dedicates each night of the mission to a particular virtue of this great saint. On Monday, March 28th at 6:00pm he will speak about St. Joseph as the saint of humility. On Tuesday, March 29th at 6:00pm he will speak about St. Joseph as the saint of chastity. That same night, right after his talk, we will end the mission with Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction. I hope to see you there.
God bless,
Fr. Barrow
