Today we celebrate Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. During the next 40 days, we have the opportunity and privilege to go into the desert, i.e. the quiet of our soul, to prepare for Easter and the resurrection of our Lord. Lent is a time to experience self-giving by exercising internal discipline, and learn a little bit about the meaning of true Love, which is the giving of ourselves for others.

In today’s reading Christ is teaching us how true Love is first of all humble. He reminds us that we should not perform good actions just so that people may see them; we should not blow our own trumpet to win the praise of others, but rather we should do all good acts quietly, because the Father who sees all is the one we want to repay us, not the world.

At Catholic Charities we have so many opportunities to pray, fast, and give alms. Compassion is the key to do what we do well, and learning how to suffer and identify with others is precisely what we are asked to do this Lent. Let us use the opportunity that the season of Lent gives us to grow in our ability to Love and truly Love like Christ Loves us. Only then we will be happy.

Have a wonderful Lenten Season!

Roberto Partarrieu
Executive Director