Lent and Holy Week

St. Louis de Montfort Catholic Church
LENTEN PARISH MISSION
on the
EUCHARIST AND DAILY LIVING
Presented by Fr. Joseph Faulkner

This year for my birthday, my daughter gave me an icon of one of my most recent favorite images, Christ Knocking at the Door. It is now hung above the stand-up workstation in my office as a constant reminder that Jesus is always seeking, but He awaits my response.
 
I was struck by this icon again as I was praying on what kind of image or phrase might be useful as we enter Lent 2023 at St. Louis de Montfort. Many in our parish completed the Rescue Project last fall and were asking “what’s next?” The what’s next is encapsulated in this image.
 
What’s next is Our Response!
 
In this fast-paced world I often find myself impatient with the slow progress of things at one moment, and then I get frustrated with how fast things are moving the next. In this image, I recognize a great calm in the peace and patience of Jesus (and I’m thinking he might have more on his plate than I do).
 
If you haven’t seen this image or a similar one, look closely at it. There is something missing on the door from a normal door.
 
What else do you notice? Take a moment and look at and reflect on this icon.
 
Here’s what I see in the icon:
· The Invitation – Jesus is knocking, inviting me to open my heart to Him; to allow Him to enter into every aspect of my life. He wants to be in relationship with me and He wants to be involved in even the little details of my life.
· The Knocking Hand – Someone pointed out to me the gentleness of the hand as Jesus knocks. It is not a pounding fist, but a gentle knock. Enough for me to hear, but not obnoxious like he’s going to break down the door.
· The Knobless Door – There is no knob on the door from His side. He will not force His way on me. Jesus is patient and allows me to respond in time.
· The Gaze – Just look at that gaze! He is looking directly at me. It’s not a look of disappointment or condemnation. His look is a look of love, compassion, and mercy. He has the right path for me if I can simply get out of the way and allow Him to lead.
 
An Invitation:
I invite you to open the door to Jesus, to open your heart to what He wants for you, to take a leap of faith this Lent. While we traditionally focus on Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving during Lent, it’s important that we start with the intent of these practices. We do these things not only to draw closer to Christ, but to be in union with Him, so that on Easter morning, we have more intimacy with Him than when we started the journey of 40 days. If we open the door, I’m confident, He will do this.
 
Within this newsletter are many opportunities offered at St. Louis de Montfort to help our parishioners engage with our faith and encounter Jesus in more profound ways this Lent. You will find these organized around our 4 dimensions of an Engaged Catholic: Prayer, Study, Generosity, and Evangelization. I am so grateful for our staff who dedicate their days to praying and discerning what God wants us to provide for our parishioners and then invest their time and energies to bring those opportunities to you. We are in this journey together. 
May you open the door to Jesus and have a Lent that furthers your union with Him!
 

FOR MORE LENTEN REFLECTIONS AND RESOURCES, CHECK OUT THE NEWSLETTER IN IT'S ENTIRETY BELOW: