A Lent we will never forget

Seems to me that Lent 2013 will be one Lent never to be forgotten.  Of course I am referring to all the fuss over the Papal resignation, which comes to a head this Thursday at Roman 20:00 hours; that's 8 p.m. Rome time.  At that moment for the first time in over 600 years, the Chair of Peter will be vacant because of a resignation.  Surely this is historic.  It too has become quite the media circus with enemies of the Church and their willing accomplises, said media, running wild with rumors and rumor of rumors or doing what they do best, simply take a story and become the story. 

As Lent continues we will all move forward with speculation about when will that conclave begin and who will become the Pope?  Intriguing indeed.  Will the next Pope be Italian, or will he be non-European?  Will the next Pope be a liberal or a conservative(I hate these labels by the way)?  Will the next Pope be a younger man?  Will the next Pope bring about great change?  Of course, none of us know the answers to these and many other legitimate questions.  Now, all the dumb questions coming from the media; well, who cares!

Yes, you and I, the Catholic back at home, we can indeed pray for Pope Benedict XVI, the Church, the Cardinal-electors, the process and the new Holy Father.  And indeed we should!  But is there really more we can do?  Tonight, I say yes and it all revolves around Lent; a Lent we will never forget!

 In the short time since Ash Wednesday ushered in another Lenten season, we have heard about increased prayer, fasting and alms-giving.  We have heard about being more aware of penance and focusing on the journey of Jesus to Calvary; and of course, from Calvary to the Resurrection!  A few days ago I posted about how we are doing this Lent.  Can we perhaps consider a robust response to prayer, fasting and alm-giving for the Church, for Pope Benedict XVI and for the future Pope?  I think the answer can be, ah, should be, a resounding yes!  When all is said and done, I want this to be for all of us a Lent we will never forget; not just because of the history making events from Rome, but because we can say that Lent 2013 was a time when I grew closer to God and closer to His Church through our Lenten practices.  Now, don't forget!