1st Sunday of Lent

02-22-2026Pastor's CornerFr. Bob Deehan

What’s your focus for Lent? Some might say, I’m going to work at avoiding these certain sins. Others might say, I’m going to try to pray more to make God a more important part of my life.

Well, it might help to first, ask yourself this fundamental question: What is my ultimate goal as a Catholic? I often hear people say, “My goal is to get to heaven!” Yes, a worthy goal. But, is that the best reason?

If you’re of a certain age, you may remember learning the difference between perfect and imperfect contrition. Either one is sufficient to obtain God’s forgiveness, however, sacramental confession of grave sins is still necessary. Imperfect contrition is having sorrow for sin “because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell.” The old form of the Act of Contrition continues, “but, most of all because I have offended thee, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love.” In other words, a more perfect reason for having sorrow for sins is not out of fear of losing the “reward” of heaven and going to hell, but because you have offended Someone who loves you more than you know and Who wants something better for you.

Our focus for Lent should ultimately be about our love of God, and His love and desire for us – to be all that He has made us to be. So, I suggest that in your personal prayer, you ask Jesus to help you deepen your relationship with Him – as a trusted loved one. Get to know Him better, to love him more deeply, and to follow Him more closely. In this effort, your focus is far more than observing commandments, but on desiring what Jesus desires for you now, as our parish vision statement says: “to think with His mind and love with His heart.” In other words, to be like Him as much as you can. Pray with some passages in one of the Gospels to help you develop a deeper knowledge of and friendship with Jesus. Talk with Him about what you’re reading, and listen in silence to what He’s saying to you personally. Then, put into practice what He is inviting you to do. Consequently, as you grow more in the likeness of Jesus, when you meet Him at the “Pearly Gates,” He’s going to look at you and say, “I know you – I can see myself in you… come My friend and be with Me for eternity.” Try this focus for Lent and see what a difference it will make in your life and in the lives of the people around you!

God bless you!