As we gather together on this first Sunday of Lent, we embark on a sacred journey marked by reflection, repentance, and renewal. Our Lenten journey began on Ash Wednesday, a solemn day where we received ashes in the shape of the cross on our foreheads, reminding us of our mortality and the need for penance and transformation.
The symbol of the cross holds profound significance in our faith. It represents the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who endured suffering and death to redeem humanity. As Jesus entered the desert for 40 days, we also enter this season of Lent for 40 days. We are called to embrace our own crosses, recognizing that through them, we can experience growth, renewal, and ultimately, resurrection.
Reflecting on the ashes we received, we are reminded of the transient nature of life and the importance of embracing the crosses we bear. Each of us carries our own burdens, struggles, and challenges. Yet, it is through these trials that we often experience the most profound spiritual growth. In his letter to the Corinthians, Saint Paul reminds us, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). Through the cross, we find strength, hope, and salvation.
In my own life, I have learned that it is during my lowest moments, my times of suffering, my times of greatest struggles, that I have grown the most spiritually. It is through facing adversity that I have deepened my faith, discovered resilience, and experienced God’s grace in profound ways, although I have not always recognized that at the moment. Looking back on those times, I realize that is when I have grown the most and become a better person because of them. I find that to be almost universally true for those around me. As priests, we spend many hours ministering to others in their times of struggle or crisis and I see people of faith pray, trust, and grow from these experiences.
The question then becomes can we grow outside of these traumatic experiences? Yes, we can, however we need to open ourselves to new experiences and allow the Lord to show us the way. We need humility and desire for growth. That is where Lent and prayer comes in.
I have found that there are powerful ways for this growth to occur, I call them “inflection points.” They can cause deep spiritual growth through prayer or retreats, mission or immersion trips and pilgrimages. Fortunately for us here at St. Simon Parish we are offering all these opportunities throughout the year.
Next weekend, we will be giving a presentation on the Tijuana Mission Trip this summer and why we’d love you and your family to consider going. This trip allows us to experience the lives of others who live in poverty, so very different to our lives here. This trip gives us the opportunity to serve, reflect and reevaluate our own lives and to see with the eyes of the heart – recognizing fellow human beings and learn from their simplicity of life and purity of heart. It is a true joy to be of service to others and minister in this way. We are having an Information Meeting for those interested in learning more about the trip on Wednesday, February 28th at 7:00pm in the Simon Room. You can learn more on our webpage here or email jmibach@stsimon.org.
Another way for us to grow is in the way of the pilgrim. Pilgrimages are different than going on a tour. We travel with the openness of mind and heart to see things anew. This September I will lead a pilgrimage and walk in the Footsteps of St. Paul traveling to Greece and Turkey where Paul spent most of his life preaching the gospel. Pilgrimages are journeys to sacred places to deepen our faith through prayer and experience. People have been taking pilgrimages for centuries and as a result have been inspired into a deeper relationship with Christ and his Church along paths of new discovery.
In following the footsteps of St. Paul, we will journey to Corinth, Ephesus, and many of the ancient sites that he ministered in and witnessed the gospel. We will also have an opportunity to see the ancient ruins of cities and engage with the cultures of the past and present. These places will stir our hearts, deepen our faith, and increase our knowledge of Christianity and our Catholic heritage. This will be a time for each pilgrim to grow more deeply aware of God’s merciful and loving embrace and a journey that is grace-filled and life-changing. I encourage you to consider joining us in this amazing experience! You can learn more here or email rhaydon@stsimon.org.
We have many opportunities to deepen our prayer lives here at St. Simon. On the next two Tuesday evenings, February 20th & 27th at 7:00pm, I will go slowly into the prayer levels 1—4: —simplicity, complexity, perplexity, harmony. I will walk us through specific prayer examples on how to deepen our reflection and listening skills in practical ways. I will use old and new methods to slow us down and enter into the silence and learn how to listen to God speak to us more clearly. There we will learn to see with the eyes of our heart and hear God’s call to come back home. Childcare is available for these prayer evenings so that parents can attend, and the little ones will make crafts and play games in the Youth Center. Childcare registration here.
We have invited Fr. Kevin O’Brien, S.J., former President of Santa Clara University, for a retreat here called “Seeing with the Heart” on Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday, March 4th, 5th, & 6th at 7:00pm. Fr. Kevin will guide us in a spirit-filled time to open our eyes to God’s love and wonder. Your day-to-day life will be transformed by a better understanding of who you are and what you are called to be, as well as by a closer relationship with God and others. He will discuss his latest book on Ignatian spirituality which was published by Loyola Press in January 2023: Seeing with the Heart: A Guide to Navigating Life’s Adventures and will have copies available to purchase. Childcare is available again for the retreat evenings. Childcare registration here. For more Lenten offerings at St. Simon Parish visit here. Spread the word, all are welcome!
As we journey through this season of Lent, let us embrace the crosses in our lives with courage and faith. Let us turn to God in prayer, seeking His guidance and strength to endure and overcome. And let us remember that just as Jesus triumphed over death, so too can we find new life and transformation through our crosses.
I would like to thank Clare and all the volunteer ministers of the Art & Environment Ministry who worked hard earlier this week to transform the Church so beautifully for this Lenten season. Please take a moment to enjoy it and soak in in. I would also like to thank Kalena and her team of High School and Middle School Students for hosting the Mardi Gras Ice Cream Social on Tuesday afternoon. It was wonderful to see children and parents coming together and enjoying each other’s company before we began our Lenten Journey. I learnt that the colored beads had meaning – purple for justice, green for faith, and gold for power! (source: Hallow App)
Finally, thank you to the members of the Hope & Wellness Ministry for leading Friday’s Stations of the Cross and the members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society for providing the Soup Supper. It was a wonderful evening of community praying together and enjoying a simple meal. May this Lenten season be a time of renewal and spiritual growth for each of us, as we walk the path of discipleship together with Christ, our Savior and Redeemer and learn to see with the eyes of our hearts. 40 simple prayers for Lent here.
God bless,
Fr. Brendan