A Metanoia Experience
From the Desk of Father David
Dear Parishioners and Friends in Christ,
Over the next few months I will need you to fill out two surveys. They are called the Disciple Maker Index and The Synod Survey. The Disciple Maker Index will happen in March and it is all multiple choice questions. The Synod one is aimed at giving you more freedom to express yourself through write in answers and will happen after Easter and continue through May and possibly into June. The Synod Survey is for all active and inactive Catholics, therefore I will need to help me get the word out to all those people who would like to have their voice heard.
Because last Sunday’s letter is important, I am repeating it. In Sunday’s reading, the prophet Isaiah has a vision of God seated on His royal throne and becomes fearful because he knows his sins. God’s angel flies to him with an ember from the altar to cleanse him of his sins. Then the Lord God asks “Whom Shall I send? Who will go for us?” Isaiah quickly responds, “Here I am, send me!” In the Gospel, Peter and his companions, after they had caught nothing, need to see a great catch, realize Jesus knows them, and He wants them as His friends in order to leave everything and follow Him.
Both Isaiah and Peter have a metanoia experience. Metanoia experience is when a person moves from unbelief to belief and from sin to practice of virtue. Virtue is a good habit that enables a person to act with right reason enlightened by faith. (Both definitions are taken from Modern Catholic Dictionary.) As Catholics, we believe this process of believing more intensely and growing in virtue is our lifelong goal. Take some time to reflect upon these questions: What do you need to help you deepen your faith and grow in virtue? What will help you dedicate yourself to the mission of following Jesus? How will you achieve what you need?
As Lent begins on March 2nd the Church encourages you to make an extra effort to grow in faith and virtues. The Scripture readings used at Mass are designed to assist you in growing closer to Christ. The Lenten and Easter Books for the parish will help you connect the daily Mass readings to your life. I am encouraging every one to find someone or a small group of individuals to reflect upon the readings with you. This year, Fr. George Knab, OMI is coming to do a preached retreat on the theme, The Face of God is Mercy. It will take place from Monday, March 20th through the Thursday March 24th. See the Lenten section of the bulletin for more activities.
Lord Jesus help us to work and pray for peace as we struggle to go in faith and virtue.
Peace,
Fr. David
