St. Joseph the Worker

Dear Parishioners of SJW:

Welcome to the first FULL week of Lent!  We are on our journey of penance, reconciliation, sacrifice, and change.  Several days ago we gathered to celebrate Ash Wednesday, the “kick-off” of our Lenten season.  Hopefully, the spirit of that day and being signed with ashes will permeate each of the remaining days of this penitential time.

The first weekend of Lent always has Jesus being in the desert and tempted by the devil.  What an image for us to reflect upon.  God in Flesh being tempted by Satan himself.  And we know who “wins!”  This powerful story tells us of the power of Jesus Christ.  This story tells us that even in human weakness Jesus rose above temptation and was faithful to His Father.  This story shows us that Jesus gives us an example of strength, conviction, and obedience.

How about those things to reflect on this first full week of Lent?  Starting with the power of Jesus —

***Do we really believe in the power that Jesus Christ has over sin and the devil? 

 Let’s continue with Jesus rising above temptation —

***Will we use our Lenten days to grow stronger in resisting Satan’s temptations in our daily lives?

And finally, the example of Jesus in the Temptation story —

***How strong will we be to say “no” to sin?  How deep will our convictions be to live faithful lives?

       How will obedience to our Catholic faith be shown by us in our actions and words?                                                             

May this Lenten week guide us closer to Jesus Christ, who resisted all of the temptations put in His way.

LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHEN TEMPTED YOU REMAINED FAITHFUL.

GUIDE US IN THE SAME WAY TO BE EVER MORE RESISTANT TO

SIN AND DISOBEDIENCE.  MAY YOU BE WITH US EVERY MOMENT

OF OUR LENTEN JOURNEY, ESPECIALLY WHEN LIFE GETS TOUGH.

AMEN.

 Your Pastor, Father Joe