St. Theresa's Parish

Pastor’s Message

Lenten Message of Prayer, Fasting & Almsgiving

After waking up to the reality of a cold, harsh winter, our hearts are challenged to warm up to the idea of prayer, fasting and almsgiving as we enter into the Lenten Season.

These three pillars of Lent are given to us by the Church as “gift” so that we can come to recognize the dangers all around us that strive to lead us away from God and ultimately, eternal salvation.

Pope Francis notes that Jesus warned that amid great trials (and temptations) false prophets would lead people astray and the love that is the core of the Gospel would grow cold in the hearts of many.

The Pope added: "How many of God’s children are mesmerised by momentary pleasures, mistaking them for true happiness. How many men and women live entranced by the dream of wealth, which only makes them slaves to profit and petty interests. How many go through life believing that they are sufficient unto themselves, and end up entrapped by loneliness. How many young people are taken in by the panacea of drugs, of disposable relationships, of easy but dishonest gains. How many more are ensnared in a thoroughly 'virtual' existence, in which relationships appear quick and straightforward, only to prove meaningless."

Before Jesus began His public ministry (which only lasted three years), He spent 40 days in the desert, praying and fasting. He was tempted by the devil to turn away from His mission and the Father’s Will. He resisted and the devil left. Don’t be fooled into believing the devil is not real! He is the adversary of the human race. He is a liar and the father of lies and has always presented evil as good and falsehood as truth.

Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving helps us to examine our conscience by looking deep within our heart to see if we are falling prey to the lies of these false prophets and discern what needs changing or renewing, accepting or rejecting, letting go or embracing, dying or healing.

Our call as Christians is to willingly follow Jesus into the desert of our hearts, entering this Lenten journey with enthusiasm and gratitude to God for the opportunity to renew our commitment to loving and serving the Lord.

Fr David Kowalski