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"Repent, and believe in the Gospel" [Mark 1:15]

This is the Lenten Embertide, a time to fast, to pray, to examine the state of our soul, to acknowledge our failings and to rein in poorly governed passions. It is a time to thank God for blessings received and to give alms that others may share in our blessings, for all that we have and all that we are, we have received in trust from our Maker to use in His service.

50 years ago this very day, Pope Paul VI abrogated the canonical requirement of Catholics to fast this week. Nevertheless, the need remains for every Christian to take up his cross, and follow his Saviour up a difficult path.

Patience and Peace

Here is an interesting interview.

...Often when I’m being “patient” I’m really grasping, wanting something else. You know how kids struggle with patience. Earnest children sitting there, being “patient”, waiting for school to get out or something like that.

Patience has a certain impatience built into it. ...

May we seek patience, and peace of heart that goes beyond patience, and may God grant us what we seek.

Be Clothed with Compassion

¹² Put ye on therefore, as the elect of God, holy, and beloved, the bowels of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty, patience:
¹³ Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if any have a complaint against another: even as the Lord hath forgiven you, so do you also.
¹⁴ But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection:
¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are called in one body: and be ye thankful.
¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly, in all wisdom: teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing in grace in your hearts to God.
¹⁷ All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Colossians 3:12-17

For this Saint Valentine's Day, friend, a lesson on living in Love, from Monsignor Charles Pope. May we follow our Savior with peace and steady confidence on the path He leads us.

Sancte Valentine, ora pro nobis.