February 5, Feast of St. Agatha, Virign and Martyr
On this feast of one of the early virgin Martyrs of the Church, we recall one whose name in Greek means “Goodness.” Her goodness is seen in her purity of heart and mind, and the offering that purity as a sacrifice for her persecutors. I wish we could get young girls to see the value of these virgin martyrs in helping them deal with all the traps of this culture. Goodness needs to be seen not in terms of gaining pleasure for ourselves, but rather living in the world in the light of the true of God’s Triune love and the constant flow of grace that pours from the Holy Spirit. Maybe, instead of looking to Hollywood, they can, as we approach the season of Lent, to the Holy Wood of the cross, through which Jesus Christ brings us more than a fulfilment of temporal pleasures. He brings us everlasting joy and blessedness which keeps us hopeful.
I always find Ash Wednesday to be a fascinating day. Some people tend to act very somber and do exactly what the Gospel tells us not to do LOOK SAD. In preparing my Lenten talks, the Focus of Lent is on penance not in terms of self-denial, but rather a hopeful new beginning that we can find a new way of showing our Love for God and neighbor. We can regain our spiritual youth and find new energy and grace in the Christian life that we are seeking to live. We shall see what tomorrow holds, for the beginning of Lent is actually a serious step on our part to prepare to unite with the Risen Lord again on Easter Sunday.
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