Cycle C Lent 1
1. There is one word we use to describe the work of the Church which includes us ALL and that is EVANGELIZATION. I have come here to this great parish of Nativity to encourage each of you to a greater degree of participation in this work. Especially this Lent as we talk about OUR search for the In-Active Catholic.
There is one sobering Statistic that makes this a daunting task. And a serious effort must be made because of it. It’s that 50-60% of Catholics do NOT attend Sunday Mass. This means 2 things: they do not worship God and do not hear His life giving word.
2. In the Gospel we see Jesus overcoming the deepest temptations of the Human Race. This Gospel brings out the tendency of man to ‘DOWN PLAY’ or to dismiss God as being ‘NECESSARY’. It is important that Jesus overcomes them. And also for us to see the VALUES He employs, by personal choice to overcome them. On this 1st Sunday of Lent we are called to maintain for ourselves and through EVANGELIZATION, encourage others to take on or return to those Values of our Faith to overcome temptation.
-The 1st temptation of turning stones into bread, is to MATERIAL PROSPERITY and all that it stands for: Success, Security and the means to comfort and enjoyment. Jesus answers the Test by telling us we must desire to know God more than feeding that desire for prosperity. So like Jesus, those who DEDICATE themselves to God, can tell you that’s the way to overcome this test.
-The 2nd Test in viewing all Nations, is to achieve POWER. The Power to do things or to accomplish what ever we desire. Power can make us think we are above the Law (Civil or Church). It can make us feel superior in our relationships. Jesus tells us that Good can only come if we are OBEDIENT and HUMBLE to God’s plan.
-The 3rd Temptation by throwing Himself off the parapet, is to MEASURE GOD by our STANDARDS. Within us there is something deep that puts CONDITIONS on our faith. We will do Gods’ will up to a point where it seems we will loose our life, someone or something.
We say a loving God would not test us this far. We over come this ‘If you love me’ attitude by being OBSERVANT of what God did for us and learn from it. Example: Jesus dying on the cross.
3. WE are all Tested. But we to can overcome our temptations in our lives through Dedication, Obedience and Imitation of God. Those who withhold themselves from the Sacramental and Prayer life of the Church, are seriously limiting their ability to thwart Temptation or prove themselves worthy through the test.
– A marriage problem could be a POWER STRUGGLE with church law for someone who is in an irregular marriage.
-Not going to church on Sunday might be a Material Prosperity struggle. Maybe a great night out or a job took precedence. Neither qualify to come before God.
-being hurt by someone might be a MEASURING God Test. We can’t say I will love God only if all others love me.
4. Remembering is the program the parishes of Sioux City are using to help people overcome the Temptations to ‘Down Play God or push Him aside’. Any excuse our Lost, Alienated or hurt members might give for not living a active faith life are just that…excuses.
In 15 years we have TALKED to 2500 people. So we have heard them all. But one statement echoed by many is that “…the 1st step back is a hard one to make.”
We have helped bring back 120 people. Yet the stat that says the most is the one where on the 1st night our hopes would be running high, because 10-15-25 would say their coming and only half that many show. There fore we are coming to you because we know now many hands make light work.
5. In your pews are RE-membering Name Slips. We are inviting all of you to be apart of this Evangelization work in 3 ways.
A. We need to build the Remembering Community with people from each parish.
B. We need you to ‘Bring 1 (lost Sheep) with you’. Your Spouse, your child, your parent, your friend.
C. Or if you can’t help or bring 1 with you…give us their Name so we can invite and nurture them back.
6. We must overcome what is tempting us NOT to be apart of this out reach to our inactive brothers and sisters. This Lent INSTEAD of ‘Sit on our hands’ we want with the same ‘Reckless Abandon’ of the Shepherd in the parable of the lost Sheep, to go after our lost Sheep. As the woman in search for her lost coin, we must turn this Nativity House upside down in our search for those who have strayed. And like the Prodigal Father this lent we will offer the same Joy and Lavish Love to our prodigal Brothers and Sisters upon their return.
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