(Most Rev.) James M. Wingle D.D. Bishop of St. Catharines

From The Bishop's Desk

SHARE LENT: an opportunity to help those in need

by BISHOP JAMES WINGLE

For 50 years the faithful people of the Diocese of St. Catharines have embraced the strong season of Lent as a time of God's special favor. Again this year we set out, as did those who have gone before us, on a journey to meet Christ anew in the real circumstances of life today.

Drawn by the beauty of Christ, we learn that it is only in following him that we find the path toward the fulfillment of the deepest desires of the human heart. Material possessions, fame, power and control, the quest for pleasure and comfort, these things that so often take hold of our lives are not capable of delivering the fullness of life that we seek. Jesus himself tells us that he is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life,” but it profits us little to hear these words unless we find the courage to believe and follow where he leads.

Following Christ as a disciple is the fruit of an authentic encounter with God. The initiative in this meeting belongs to the Lord, but once the invitation is given, he awaits our free response. Such a meeting is possible now because God sent his son into the world. Jesus is a real person, God's eternal son in human flesh and blood. He is present to us in many ways, but especially through the word and the sacraments of the Church, and in the lives of those who need our help.

Pope Benedict's message for Lent this year calls attention to the truth that “…by drawing close to others through almsgiving, we draw close to God; it can become an instrument for authentic conversion and reconciliation with God and our brothers.”

During the time of Lent we are given many opportunities to open our hearts to the needs of others. Invitations, such as the diocesan SHARE LENT campaign organized by the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, provide us with an effective way to respond to the cry of those who yearn for the means to live a decent human life in freedom and dignity. Pope Benedict reminds us that to reach out to our brothers and sisters in need is “…a duty of justice even prior to being an act of charity.”

Many people in our communities are preparing to be baptized at the Easter Vigil, or to enter into full communion in the Catholic Church by a profession of faith. Like these who are publicly committed to the great path of conversion, we are prompted to examine with care the promises made when we were baptized. The gift of courage prompts us to admit that we have often failed to honour these promises that were made with great solemnity in God's sight.

The words of one of the great pastors of the Church, St. Ambrose of Milan, instruct us and give us new heart; “If you wish to be justified, confess your sin. For a shamefaced confession of sins looses the bands of transgression. You see what God requires of you, that you remember that grace which you have received, and boast not as though you had not received it. You see by how complete a promise of remission God draws you to confession.” (St. Ambrose, On Repentance, Bk.2, Ch.6, in J.P. Migne, Patrologia Latina 16, 507)

Like our ancestors who came here from many different lands and planted the noble legacy of the living tradition of the Catholic faith, may we make fruitful use of the irreplaceable gift of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. By means of this sacrament, we meet Christ who forgives and heals us, restoring peace to our souls and joy to our lives. Refreshed and made new by this merciful encounter with the Son of God, we take up the cross of Christ with new courage in the certain knowledge that it is the path to the fullness of that which our hearts seek.

Together, we call on the loving prayer of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of St. Catherine of Alexandria, and of the whole company of heaven to help us in our journey toward the glory of Christ's Easter victory.

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