Holy Family E-Newsletter - February 24, 2023

February 24, 2023

Pastor’s Corner

Dear Friends,

Lent is upon us and I would like to lift up some wisdom from one of the monks in the Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity in Petersham, MA.

The Church Father Tertullian stated, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” The word “martyr” comes from the Greek word “witness”. The witness of the martyrs made the Church triumph over pagan Rome and ushered in the era known as Christendom. The season of Great Lent affords us the opportunity to avail ourselves of this great witness so that as the witness of our modern- day paganism of ancient Rome, our “witness” (martyrdom) may overcome our modern-day paganism that threatens us. To do this we will look at the person of St. John the Baptist.

St. John the Baptist holds a great place of honor in the Church. In the Western Church and the Churches of the East, only the Blessed Mother has more feast days in the liturgical calendar. As he prepared the way for the Lord, he stands as a great example to begin the holy season of Lent. All the saints, Church Fathers, and mystics tell us that the “spiritual combat” must be an essential part of our Christian life. We are a union of body and soul (we are not pure spirits like the angels) and, hence, asceticism must be part of our life. You see this especially in John.

The man was the message. He lived it and people noticed. In the dessert, where he lived, you are stripped down to the bare essentials. His dwelling was probably a cave. No comfortable furniture, nor satellite dish with its hundreds of channels and corresponding flat screen. John knew that many of these superfluities, which we consider so essential, could easily become idols and turn us away from God. Want to give up something for Lent and make a true sacrifice in John’s spirit? Try giving up television.

We are so attached to things. When we give something up for Lent, may we approach it with the mindset that we are putting our wants aside, and allowing our Lord to enter into our hearts, and this is where true freedom lies. On a side note, please join in praying a novena for the Eucharistic Congress. Many thanks! Peace to you and your families.

Sincerely Yours,

Fr. David Aufiero