Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Lent is one of my favorite times of year. That might seem a bit odd at first. Lent? A favorite time? Why not Christmas or Easter?
Of course, I delight in Christmas and Easter! Yet there is something special about Lent. For me, Lent is a good time to refocus on what is the most important - Jesus! Lent is not just for giving something up. Our sacrifice has a purpose when it is done for the love of the Lord, to turn our hearts to Jesus!
If you have not quite settled in on Lent this year, take some time to be quiet, pray, and ask the Lord what he would like you to do for him. Every Friday during Lent when you abstain from meat, let this simple sacrifice be like a “love note” that you write to Jesus for him to discover and delight in. Do the same for anything else that you might give up for Lent.
May this time of Lent be a graced opportunity to send flowers of your love to the Lord by the sacrifices you make for him.
May you have a blessed Lent.
In Christ,
+John Doerfler
Bishop of Marquette