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STATE DEPUTY MESSAGE for MARCH
“Do More, Give More, and Be More for Lent”
Lent – Prayer (Reflection), Fasting (Sacrifice), Giving Alms (Service)
Worthy Brothers,
Many times, in our daily prayers we are asking for things or thanking God for things. But during Lent we are asked to pray with an open heart and to listen to God. There are many aids to help us do that. There are the emailed reflections from Knights of Columbus “Born of Fire”, the COR gatherings, Pray40 Lenten Challenge on the Hallow App, daily reflections from Bishop Barron, or many other inspirational reflections available.
My brothers, we all need to take at least a few minutes each day to recharge, but more so during Lent. We need to stop, be silent, listen to God speak to us and show us the way. During this season of Lent ask your council’s leadership and chaplain to plan a day of reflection for the council members and families.
As some of you might know, I am a convert to Catholicism. At the beginning of my journey in faith at the time of Lent I asked a priest how does fasting work? I understood that we abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays, but what else? What should I give up? And Father said to look at fasting/sacrifice and alms giving/service together. They go hand in hand. Whatever you give up when you fast and sacrifice has a value, as well as does your alms giving and service. He said take that value and use it, to do more. Take your sacrifice and service and do more with it like giving more to the Sunday collection or the charitable works of your council, give more service, volunteer more time with your brothers in the parish or community. Help do more programs. Most importantly we need to see what more sacrifices and service we can do to benefit our families.
Invite prospective new members to join you and your council towards a better understanding and relationship with God by becoming a part of our Order. Ask them to be a part of our Knights of Columbus family to do more and be more.
May more of God’s Blessings be with you and your family during this season of Lent.
Vivat Jesus!
GREG MARRACQ
State Deputy 2023-2024
STATE CHAPLAIN MESSAGE FOR MARCH
Dear Worthy Knights,
A blessed Lent to everyone. In his homily last Ash Wednesday, Cardinal Roche, Vatican chief’s liturgist, preached on the theme of “Welcome Home.” He echoed the prophet Joel’s call to “return to the Lord, our God, with our whole heart, with fasting, weeping and mourning, and simply complete dependence on God who loves us.” (Joel 2: 12).
The cardinal pointed out that in the past, people have thought of Lent as being a “pretty heavy season when we have to give up things and we have to do things.” However, he encouraged us to look deeply into our hearts and confront ourselves with deeper questions such as, “Where I’m going? What am I doing? Am I just somebody who’s drifting along, and taking things really for granted?”
Worthy Supreme Chaplain, Archbishop Lori, shared an insight in his recent message. He said that “to truly know ourselves, our hearts must be open to Christ’s light and grace.” By ourselves, we cannot fully know who we really are. But knowing our Lord Jesus Christ, who became like us, can show us who we really are, that is, who we are in the eyes of God.
As we continue our Lenten journey, let us strive to know our Lord and his mission of Mercy. Let us avail of the Sacrament of Confession that restores and deepens our relationship with Him who forgives us through his priests. Let us be aware of the Lord’s invitation for a personal conversion, an inner change that transforms our lives completely.
Pope Francis challenges us during this gracious season to become aware of our “spiritual laziness.” He said that our prayers and liturgies are not enough for us. He said that “the sacrifice is not in the stomach, but in the heart.” Our abstinence from meat during Lent may not mean anything if we don’t have a good relationship with family members or relatives and we continue to judge and criticize others. Rather, we must strive to improve our relationship with God by treating others well and becoming less arrogant and humbler at heart.
After all, we are made in God’s image and likeness. We are all His beloved children.
Vivat Jesus!
REV. RAYMUND REYES
State Chaplain 2023-2024
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