RBWords

     Once, when preaching a parish mission in Elizabethtown, KY, on the first Sunday of Lent, I asked the congregation to repeat after me the words I have quoted above: THIS IS THE TIME OF FULFILLMENT!  THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND! REPENT AND BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL!  I then congratulated them on preaching their first Lenten homily!  It is a simple message, and it is as challenging as it is simple.  Jesus went on a retreat for 40 days in the desert before he began his ministry in Galilee.

     It is hard to think that each time is a "time of fulfillment."  That seems too divorced from the daily tasks of living.  The COVID-19 pandemic and its challenges along with the damage caused by a terrible Winter storm scarcely seem like a "time of fulfillment."  But Jesus stands before, with and behind us as the fulfillment of God's promises.  The kingdom of God is at hand in his continued presence, especially in the Eucharist, but also in all other aspects of daily living.  When we realize the power of his presence, we are challenged to repent and change our attitudes and behavior.  In other words, we are called to "conversion."

     Lent is a time when we can say to ourselves, and even to others, "This is the time of fulfillment.  The kingdom of God is at hand.  Repent and believe in the gospel."  This doesn't mean we stop saying (preaching?) this when Lent ends.  Lent is an annual reminder of this and challenges us to ask how our Lenten observances preach that simple three point message.  Lent is like the rocket that gets us off the ground, but that is only the beginning of the mission!  "Staying on message" is the method in words and deeds.  The kingdom of God is at hand 24 hours a day.  The pandemic provides a special context but the message continues as long as we are willing to continue it.  AMEN