Sacrifice

We are in the beginning of Lent, and the word I hear most during this time from our students is “sacrifice.” The Latin root of this word is sacer, which oddly enough can mean “holy” or “accursed,” almost near antonyms. Although this may seem confusing, it makes sense when you view it through the lens of the Gospel reading from Ash Wednesday. In that Gospel, Jesus preaches that when we fast (sacrifice) we should not “look gloomy” to make a point to others that we are making a sacrifice.  Instead He says we should bear our burden without making a big show of it.

Depending on how we bear our Lenten sacrifice, we can make it something that is “accursed,” or we can make it something that helps us become more “holy.” The difference is all in how we make our sacrifice: do we bemoan those around us snacking on a doughnut when we have given up sweets? Do we scowl at those sipping their morning coffee? Do we boast that not eating snacks will make us heathier when someone pops open a bag of chips? These reactions make our sacrifice a curse. Instead, let our sacrifice remind us why we’re doing it in the first place--not to suffer and be miserable but to bring us closer to God. During Lent, when we feel the temptation to complain, we should try to say a small prayer of gratitude and thank God for a blessing in our lives. By replacing a complaint with a compliment, God will bring Peace and holiness to our sacrifice.

Check my Instagram and twitter posts @cks_principal this Lent to see our CKS family making their sacrifices the right way and living the #LentLife.

Here is a picture of some CKS moms who sacrificed their time and resources to make a warm breakfast for students at Sacred Heart Inter-parochial School in Pinellas Park:

Where are You?

This past Saturday's first reading for the daily mass contained a familiar story from the book of Genesis. It was the story of Adam and Eve taking a bite of the forbidden apple from the Tree of Knowledge. The story ends with God relocating Adam and Eve East of the Garden of Eden to toil the land from which they came. Thus, mankind was born. However, it is not the end of the story that stood out to me in this reading. With the help of Fr. George's homily it was the beginning. 

At the beginning of the story, Adam is hiding--much like any child would after he has done something wrong--and God asks, "Where are you?" Ashamed of his nakedness, and his actions, Adam was hiding from God. Father George, during the homily, asked the congregation how they would answer. Of course, being in the chapel at Mass, we all would have shouted to God, "Here we are!" Father's pointed follow up question made us think: "When you aren't in church or at mass and going about your daily lives would you still be proud to shout your presence to God?"

It made me think. Although we may not know "the day or the hour" Jesus will return and ask us where we are, God is constantly aware of our actions. If we would rather hide these things from God, then perhaps we need to make changes in our lives--changes that would make Him proud of our actions. With Ash Wednesday marking the beginning of Lent this week, we have the opportunity to prayerfully reflect on our relationship with God and practice ways to improve it. 

In the story of Adam and Eve, although his was disappointed in his children he clothed them and gave them a chance to survive. Fortunately, he continues to provide for His children even when our sins disappoint him. Confession is our second chance. At school our mission for the third quarter continues to be Accepting Forgiveness. This Lent make time for confession and feel the peace it brings. We may not be able to re-enter the Garden of Eden and experience it's joy but with confession we can at least visit.

St. Valentine?

This coming weekend, many Americans and people worldwide will take time to buy a card, send a gift, or take to dinner a loved one in the name of St. Valentine. I did a little research to find out more about this “Catholic” saint but found more questions than answers. Some websites suggested St. Valentine was actually three separate persons and not one. Other sites suggested the Catholic Church no longer recognizes it as a feast day, while another other site had a story about Pope Francis meeting with engaged couples last year on the “feast” of St. Valentine’s Day. About the only thing I could find with much consistency is that the holiday originated with a Roman fertility celebration Lupercalia, and was “Catholicized” during the time of Pope Gelasius.

Regardless of its origins, today in our society it has come to recognize love. Not that we need a reminder, but this presents a great opportunity to reflect on God’s love for us, especially as we mark the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday next week. Lent reminds us that God loves us so much that he sent His son to die for us on a cross. Considering the gift God gave us, what will you get him for Valentine’s Day?

I asked students this question at assembly. I meant it to be rhetorical but students’ hands shot up, eager to answer the question. One student said, “A really big card,” another answered “prayers,” and the last student said “show respect and love for others.” All great gifts. I challenged our students this week to pick people they love each day, picture their faces, and offer a Hail Mary. Hopefully, this will help all of us feel the love--God’s--on Valentine’s Day. 

Rest

“First tell the devil to rest then I’ll rest too.”

John Bosco’s closest friends were constantly urging him to rest. According to the biography of Don Bosco, after active days in the oratory he would often stay up late writing letters, books, or pamphlets, sleeping only 5 hours every night and abstaining from sleep one night each week (http://www.donboscowest.org/saints/donbosco). 

Don Bosco was a devoted priest, who never declined an invitation to preach or listen to confessions. On Sundays he would spend most of the day doing this important work for God, and often had to be led home half asleep or carried from exhaustion. Even through several near-death illnesses Don Bosco continued his work. As he aged and his once impossibly strong body failed him, he continued to write letters and give directions to his developing Salesian societies. He knew that although he may tire, the devil would not and this was a race for souls.

As we celebrate the Don Bosco’s bicentennial it is comforting to know that although he is no longer here physically to fight the spiritual battles over souls his thoughts and ideas still inspire millions to keep his spirit alive. In fact, at CKS last week, we did more than just keep his spirit alive:

Don Bosco’s work ethic can be an example for us academically and spiritually. We must always be aware that we control our choices and our actions. What we choose can bring us further from God and peers or it can bring us closer. Fortunately, when we make the wrong choice, we have a God that forgives and will help lead us to the right choices. He lends us His strength so we can rest, even while the devil does not.