Pastor's Note

AWARENESS
March 25th, 2007

Until I started building a house last year, I never gave much notice to house styles, interior design, or choices of flooring. Whenever I am in the market for a new car, that is when I start to really observe cars around me. And each time I start to write the church bulletin, I note the quality of bulletins from other churches.
In short, a new awareness of a subject develops each time we find ourselves directly involved in an undertaking involving that issue.
That’s what has been happening to me this Lent. As I have tried to turn my attention more to God’s plan, moving more away from myself, I have noticed so many ways this happens. I’ve also seen many others who are increasingly making sacrifices for their faith and for the good of others. Perhaps that is why we always need to follow the journey of faith with other members of the community. Doing it together, we help each other remain faithful to the call.
Also for that reason, each Lent I find myself reading biographies of saints or other religious persons. Often the way they responded during difficult times inspires me to do the same during less than difficult times.
Becoming aware of how faith can be lived inspires us, which in turn allows some new possibilities in our own lives. Tuning in to how it can be done is a great place to start.