Friday after Ash Wednesday - March 4, 2022

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Isaiah 58:1-9a             Matthew 9:14-15

The liturgical readings today speak to me of change and a new beginning. Isaiah prophesies it while Jesus speaks and lives it. As a new Catholic (2020) Lent has become the time for me to revisit my conversion and commitment to the Church, but also a time to change and grow.

RCIA was an intellectual, emotionally intense and incredibly rewarding period for me. Making the commitment to the Church was something I didn’t take lightly. It required a fundamental change in my life. I approached that first Lent as a neophyte with enthusiasm, too much actually. Of course I adhered to the traditional dietary restrictions and attended the required Masses (until Covid). But more importantly, that first Lent became a time to challenge myself. As Cardinal John Henry Newman wrote “To live is to change, and to change often is to become more perfect.” But I soon lost focus until Mary came to the rescue and in the process taught me the power of prayer.

I had a conflicted image of Mary throughout my conversion; mostly clouded by the usual old Protestant prejudices. So when Pope Francis called for a renewed devotion to Mary and the rosary during that Lent I decided to embrace it. I was open to changing my beliefs about Mary and came to understand her importance because of her “yes” to God. It wasn’t easy to memorize, but I prayed the Rosary everyday that first Lent and discovered the power of the Rosary and prayer. This has enriched my faith, eased my mind and brought me closer to God. Saint John Paul II said “Prayer can truly change your life. For it turns your attention away from yourself and directs your mind and heart towards the Lord.” This may seem elementary to cradle Catholics but to this new convert, it was transformative.

So as I approach this Lent season with “a heart contrite and humbled” Is 58:1-9a I’ll embrace the usual dietary sacrifices, I’ll find something to abstain from (there is a lot) but I’ll also challenge myself to change.

Q: How has my faith changed over the years? What still needs to change? Pray: Holy Spirit, put a prayer on my lips that will be transformative.

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