Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In our second reading, St. Paul reminds us that we are a new creation because we are in Christ. The season of Lent reminds us to reflect this new creation. Our different life experiences bring about different ways of expressing our discipleship and, more importantly, to recognize the missed opportunities to demonstrate our new creation in Christ.
The Sacrament of Baptism is the beginning of our spiritual life in Christ. Although Jesus is present to everyone, whether they know it or not, through Baptism we are made a new creation. We begin a beautiful relationship that calls us to witness to the different experiences of “who Jesus is in my life”. As we journey through life we come to experience Jesus differently. As an example, this past week I had the graced opportunity to be with many of the students at Lakewood Catholic Academy for reconciliation. There were three different services, And at each service I asked the same question: “What image of Jesus is important in your life?” The responses were amazing and inspiring. From the 3rd grader to the 8th grader, their responses represented their own personal experience of Jesus in their current life. We too need to reflect upon that same question to truly represent the Christ in whom we are all recreated.
May our Lord continue to create in us a respect for each other and an openness to sharing his discipleship with others.
Lenten Peace.
Fr. Workman