“What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” (Lk 9:25)

Especially for us, men. “To gain the whole world”. How often do we think about our mission in this world in this way. No matter what profession: a teacher, lawyer, pilot, businessman… Even if my “whole world” is really, really small. How often it is so important – TO GAIN. And how often we lose ourselves. Too busy to pray, too much work to go home, too interested in the company, and so many “too”s.

Lent helps me reorganize my priorities. Go back to my real world. To the real life.

“Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him. For that will mean life for you, a long life for you to live on the land that the LORD swore he would give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” (Deuteronomy 30, 19-20).

“Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” 

The two sentences used by priests when they place the ash on the heads of all those who approach him during the service. And this necessity to choose has always been my problem: which one should I use? I love both of them.

“Repent, and believe in the Gospel” reminds me of His promises and direction: where to go for instructions, how to keep His Word alive in my life and present in all my actions.

“You are dust, and to dust you shall return” – reminds me of my human condition and limitations, but also of my fragility. He is my Savior and Redeemer, and with His help I can do everything but without Him I am only dust.

I think the meeting point for both sentences is in the words from the Gospel: give alms, pray and fast. Alms turn my attention to my brothers and sisters, prayer keeps me involved in His world, and fast reminds me of my spiritual condition.

“Let us correct our faults which we have committed in ignorance, let us not be taken unawares by the day of our death, looking in vain for leisure to repent.

Hear us, O Lord, and show us your mercy, for we have sinned against you.” (Responsory; Cf. Bar 3, 2; Ps 79 (78), 9)

There are still two weeks to go and America does not think about anything else. We could see Halloween decorations many days ago. In all public places like shops and restaurants Halloween elements are exposed. When I ask people about it, they find it strange that I find it strange. It is their tradition!

I’m trying to remain unbiased.

I remember the performance of “Forefathers’ Eve” (“Dziady”) by Adam Mickiewicz in our high school. There was the Sorcier and the invoked and I also played a significant part.

For Americans Halloween is such a natural part of the year that it’s difficult to discuss. Of course they believe in the communion of saints and they know that it is the All Saint’s Day. But there is also the tradition of Halloween – the awful masks, skeletons, hideous decorations…

One man`s meat is another man`s poison, we say. They have their Halloween their Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving Day when you have to eat turkey… Perhaps we are irritated by import? The indiscriminate import of everything.

We sprinkle our heads with ash on Ash Wednesday. Americans put the cross on their foreheads with ash mingled with oil so that it is there for a long time. And you can see people with crosses on their foreheads at work and in the street.

Still from Omaha

Fr. Jay

How very different is the House which was for 10 days since morning until late evening (the longest working day finished at 00.30) so full of life. Now the corridors are empty, there are no people in the rooms and there’s no-one in our small, nice cafe.

But there are memories. The chapel is still full of prayers left by the participants of the courses, the rooms are filled with words that have not yet died away, the corridors echo countless conversations and consultations.

It’s so good to have been part of it. Many people said – this was a real retreat, we leave strengthened (although dog-tired), it’s pity it’s the end… 

We were bound by something important. Each of us could, through the example of others, believe in love again, because love comes on so many paths, in so many ways.When there’s love, it gives strength for everything.

I wish you a good Sunday so that you won’t forget that it’s given us to find each other, to get closer to each other than every day, to look for love in places  different than every day.

With my warm support

Fr Jay

Today is the beginning of the Lent. This is a very special time, a time of grace. I read with a new sensitivity the Message of His Holiness Benedict XVI for Lent.

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/lent/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20121015_lent-2013_en.html

In the light of what happened on Monday I read his words a bit like a testament because quite soon he will stop preaching as the Pope.

The whole Message is wonderful. It is worth reading carefully. Let me share with you two sentences from it:

Christians are people who have been conquered by Christ’s love and accordingly, under the influence of that love – – they are profoundly open to loving their neighbour in concrete ways (cf. ibid., 33).“ [nr 1]

Everything begins from the humble acceptance of faith (“knowing that one is loved by God”), but has to arrive at the truth of charity (“knowing how to love God and neighbour”), which remains for ever, as the fulfilment of all the virtues (cf. 1 Cor 13:13). [nr 4]

We can say in concise terms that what we need to is to “believe Love”  (1 J 4, 16).  This is the programme for the Lent. For each of us it means different things, different efforts and a different point of departure… The point of arrival is common to all of us.

See you on the way.

I remember you all and pray for you.

Father  Jarosław