Sunday, March 2, 2025
Blow the Trumpet in Zion! Lent Begins
Hearing confessions teaches me just how intertwined (Mt. 13:29) our lives are. We are deeply affected not only by our own struggles, addictions, compulsions and sins, but by those of the people around us, especially those who are closest to us. That is why the Church in her wisdom, following scripture, recognizes the communal nature of sin. The psalm response for Ash Wednesday is, “Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.” We are forgiven through the cross of Christ and reconciled to God and one another. Hence, we are entrusted with a message of reconciliation for others (2 Cor. 5:18-10). Just as our actions may have led others to sin (Mt. 18:6), so through our actions, others might be led to the life of grace in Christ Jesus. Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more (Romans 5:20). We certainly want to avoid sin. But Lent is not just a time for personal and communal ascetism through fasting and abstinence. We are also called to deeper prayer and the service of charity. The grace of conversion at work in our lives, our striving for Christian virtue, our love for God and one another can inspire others. If you have led others to sin, realize you can also lead others to the life of grace. We can truly be ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20).
In Christ,
Rev. Robert P. Capone
