From the Editor: A Time of Preparation

A FEW YEARS BACK my young family was settled in our pew in our packed church ready to kick-off another Holy Week. This particular Palm Sunday was like many others I’d participated in with its large crowd and fidgety children with palms in hand. When it came time for the Gospel reading the presiding priest, deacons and lectors took on their respective roles and we in the pews were the designated “crowd” — the ones ultimately condemning Our Lord to his death on the cross.

 
The group participation reading of the Passion was a tradition at our parish. When it came time for us in the pews to chime in, “Crucify him,” I glanced at my then sevenyear-old daughter who remained silent. Her small furrowed brow and distinctive frown conveyed her mood. When I shot her my well-honed mom-look — the one that says, “Hey, pay attention and participate,” she turned to me, registering my admonition and said, “I won’t say that. I had nothing to do with this!”

I stifled a smile, gently patted her back and told her, “It’s ok, honey.” To which she replied, “I’m still not saying that.”

I was simultaneously impressed by her thoughtfully horrified reaction and refusal to chime in with us, while at the same time at a loss at how to adequately explain what our part in the condemnation really meant. Sure, for those days leading up to Palm Sunday we had observed our Lenten traditions, giving up candy, plunking our change in our Rice Bowls and forgoing pepperoni on our Friday night pizzas, but somewhere along the way we had not quite successfully explained an important element — why.

The 40 days of the Lenten season provide us that opportunity to focus on the why — it’s a time of preparation and reflection on what it means to be the recipients of God’s greatest gift to us — his only Son dying on the Cross so we could enjoy eternal life.

This month’s edition of Southwest Michigan Catholic is centered on this important time of preparation with helpful advice, such as Bishop Bradley’s column on how to have a meaningful Lent focused on the three pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving (page 4). Meanwhile, Father John explores what’s really behind our meatless Fridays (page 8). Sarah DeMott’s Lenten feature outlines some practical ways to incorporate your family into the journey.
 
As we’re mindful of the hundreds of new Catholics we welcome into the Church on Easter Vigil throughout our diocese, we hope you’re inspired by those who have chosen to be Catholic, such as our cover- mother and daughter, Mary Huntington and Amy Cupp — and those, who after joining the Church, have been inspired to teach, such as Rich Furney, an RCIA leader for his parish (page 31). You’ll also meet Father Craig Lusk, who made the choice to be Catholic, a decision that led him on the path to priesthood (page 16).

Similar to what my young daughter experienced on that Palm Sunday, each of us has likely felt distant from Jesus’ suffering. However, if we take time to really prepare and open our hearts during these 40 days we’ll not only understand the depth of his Cross but we’ll be even more ready for the joy of Easter Sunday.


VICTORIA CESSNA  
Executive Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the Diocese of Kalamazoo
269.903.0163  |   [email protected]