1st Sunday of Lent

02-22-2026Weekly ReflectionFr. Abraham Orapankal, Pastor

Dear OLP Family,

So wonderful to see the big crowds in our church on Ash Wednesday – as in all the Catholic Churches all over the world - to mark entry into the penitential season of Lent. The traditional practices (fasting, meatless Fridays, saying extra prayers, giving up some favorite food or drink, refraining from certain habits, etc.) are all focused on personal or spiritual improvement of oneself.

Certainly these are good, but not good enough! There is also the need to focus on the communitarian dimension of Lent.

When Jesus fasted and prayed for 40 days just before beginning his ministry (Matthew 4:2), it was his time of preparation for bringing the good news of hope and healing to the people. His time with God was meant to get strength and wisdom to do the task of bringing light and revelation of God to the people who lived in darkness (Isaiah 9:2, Matthew 4:16). When the early Christians fasted and prayed, it was for a similar purpose of helping others to come to Jesus who is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). The culmination of their fasting ended in Easter Vigil when non-Christians (Catechumens) were welcomed into the Church through Baptism and those Christians who were away from the Christian way through serious sins (apostasy, murder, etc.) were reconciled to God and the Community of the Church. Thus the Lenten practice of the early Christians was not only for personal holiness but also for the unity and growth of the Church. It was oriented toward the inward growth of the individual as well as the outward growth of the community.

It is this communitarian dimension that just took concrete shape in our parish this week. For the first time in the history of our parish, we have formed ten groups that began sharing the scripture for this week for the six weeks of Lent. Those who have signed up for LIVE LENT! program will reap its benefits for themselves and for their families. If you want to try it, you are still welcome to contact the Parish Office so we can connect you with a group. What about others who are unable to join a group this year? They too can participate in the communitarian dimension of Lent by practicing the ministry of invitation. What do I mean?

Can we reach out to our friends, neighbors or family members who stay away from the Church? As committed Catholics, we have a duty to these brothers and sisters of ours to offer them the beauty and goodness of our faith in Jesus Christ. If we truly appreciate and draw strength from our faith, then we will want to share the same with others. During this season of Lent, if we invite someone to come to Church to have a worship experience, then we are becoming Evangelizers. We are already beginning to fulfill the great commission of Christ: “Go to the whole world and proclaim the good news to all creation…” (Matthew 28:19-20). Will you invite someone to join our Sunday worship?

Your brother in Christ.