NKCC

The temptation of Christ is detailed in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. According to these texts, after being baptized, Jesus fasted for forty days and nights in the desert.

On Ash Wednesday, we began our journey with Christ into the desert where we will remain for the next 40 days.  For those of you who have traveled through a desert, you know that it is stark, simple, still, and very quiet.  Travel is not always easy, but there is a peace that cannot be achieved in any other place.

Lent is a time of hope, repentance and forgiveness.  In our prayer and fasting, we experience a stirring of the spirit and a call to conversion.  We find ourselves drawn from lives of sin, concerned with mercy and compassion toward others and moved toward achieving the fullness of the Paschal Mystery.

During Lent, the environment of the tent will be very plain.  There will be no flowers or live plants.  Anything decorative will detract from the simplicity of this liturgi­cal season.  Whenever color is used, the color purple predominates.  Lent invites a starkness that leads one to reflect on what living the Gospel message of Jesus really means in our daily lives.

Musically, Lent encourages us to strip away all but the essentials.  You will hear simple hymns sung repeat­edly for the next six weeks.  Even hymns that are fre­quently sung throughout the liturgical year can take on a specific Lenten quality.  The importance of the hymns during the Mass is in the distinct clarity of the words.  During the Lenten Season, we will invite the congrega­tion to join the choir in singing a cappella, which is song without accompaniment by a musical instrument.  It may take a week or two, but while we are adjusting, please keep the reason for this in mind.

The Gloria is omitted during Lent and Alleluia is nei­ther sung nor said until the Easter Vigil.

On Saturday, Feb. 20th at Annunciation Church in Waimea, our nine Catechumens were called by Bishop Larry to be numbered among the Elect.  These Forty Days of Lent are days of intense preparation for them as they approach Baptism into the Christian faith.  During Lent, they will celebrate the Scrutinities on the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays.  These are rites that are intended to “uncover, then heal what is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the Elect; to bring out, then strengthen all that is upright, strong, and good” (RCIA, 141).  Please walk with them; encourage them; pray for them.  On Easter, we will celebrate with them.

For those who were unable to join us on Friday even­ing for Stations of the Cross and the light meal, please come next week.  - Fr. Lio