As we enter the church this weekend, we see the color purple and two new signs with the theme for our Lenten journey:  Called to be Light.  The readings since Christmas have featured light and our own call to be light,  and the candle on the banner remind us of what awaits us at the end of our Lenten journey:  the paschal candle, which represents the light of the risen Christ.  This Lent, instead of thinking what you are going to do for God, as if it’s all up to you, perhaps you can simply think of opening your hand and letting Jesus lead you to some new place in your life:  a new peace, a new hope, a new acceptance.  We rejoice that Fr. Pepe has been in the Midwest and is going on his own journey of healing.  So much of what he does is simply wait and pray with patience.  His hope is to return to us by Holy Week.  We read his own words below to us all:

My dear ones—

In the weeks since I left San Diego, you evolve been very present in my and in my thoughts in prayers. I have lifted you all up in prayer and asked God to care for you. I am very grateful for all of your prayers. This time of renewal and prayer has been a blessing in the same way that lent is a blessing for all of us.

For us Christians, images of nature help us to understand and express spiritual realities. After my surgery on the shoulder, I was wrapped and bandages and dressings, and I thought of the metamorphosis from caterpillar to cocoon to butterfly.  God has been at work in my healing process. I am impatient, but I believe God is there and I pray for the grace of patience for all of us as we undertake lent.  I am very eager to see all of you in just a few weeks.  You can be sure that my prayers are with you.

P. Pepe, SJ