This sure has been a Lent filled with poweful moments in the life of the Church. We had the resignation of a Pope for the first time in 600 years, we had the days upon days of speculating on who would become the next Pope, we saw the Cardinal-electors take over Rome, and then we finally arrived at Conclave. Then history in spades yesterday, Pope Francis; the 1st Pope from the America's, the first Pope who happens to be a Jesuit, and the 1st Pope to ever take the name Francis. And oh yeah, the first Pope to use modern technology to call the last Pope. That really is a first!
If none of this would have played out in Lent of 2013, a whole lot of this blog, and many other Catholic blogs, would have posted mostly things related to the holy season of Lent! While unintentional, these historic events focused on Rome and the Vatican and all things Pope, have maybe caused us to be less focused on Lent.
If that be the case, it is not too late. To the best of my knowledge Lent powers on as we prepare for the 5th Sunday of Lent. We are really drawing closer to Palm Sunday and then we begin Holy Week. Our personal commitment to the Lenten practice of increased prayer, fasting and almsgiving should not have changed one bit because of the events in Rome. How are we doing? Is this a great time to do a self assessment? I say yes. Have we attended a Lenten retreat or tried as best we can to make daily Mass? Can we also say that we have availed ourselves of the beautiful and necessary Sacrament of Reconciliation?
All of this and more is still so possible for all of us in Lent. And we offer this all to God from a spirit of devotion and preparation for our Easter joy. Yes, we have been joyful as we welcome Pope Francis and rightly so. Heck, if you think about it, every day should be full of great joy if we truly are disciples of Jesus!
By the way, it is still Lent!!
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