Bishop Nelson Perez began his homily at the noon Mass on Ash Wednesday with a humorous story, but quickly transitioned to a more reflective, meaningful message as the Lenten season begins.
There was a standing-room-only crowd in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist at the third of six Masses celebrated on Ash Wednesday.
In his homily, the bishop shared the story of a man who attempted to mug another man, but couldn?t follow through when he realized the man was a priest. The would-be mugger was ashamed. The priest invited him to talk and promised to forget the incident. He pulled out two cigars and offered one to the would-be mugger.
?Thank you, Father, but I gave up cigars for Lent,? the man told the priest.
The bishop said Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, a time when Catholics are to be generous, prayerful and offer the sacrifice of fasting. ?This is my 56th Lent. We find ourselves in different places,? he said, reflecting on Lent through the years.
The responsorial psalm, ?Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned,? reminds us that we need to seek God?s mercy and to do penance. The bishop said the diocesan wide Evening of Confession is approaching. Every Catholic church in the eight-county diocese will offer confessions 5-8 p.m., he said, offering an opportunity for the faithful to take advantage of the sacrament of reconciliation.
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?Prepare to celebrate the powerful moment we lift up our sacrifices in Lent,? he said.
In the second reading, we are told that we are ambassadors for Christ. In the Gospel, Jesus tells the disciples to ?Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people might see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.? He cautioned them to keep their prayer and fasting between themselves and God. ?And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you,? St. Matthew wrote in the Gospel.
?It is not our sacrifice that the Lord wants. Rather, it is our contrite heart,? the bishop said.
After the homily, ashes were distributed to the congregation before the liturgy resumed.
