Active Membership Pillar: Engagement in at least one parish ministry

How are you doing in your Lenten promise to God this fourth week of Lent? In today’s Gospel of the Prodigal Son, we struggle with the question as to how one who has so brazenly strayed, is welcomed back so easily without any repercussion; however, this gospel’s meaning is so much greater than that. The younger son is just like us, as we all drift away at times from God whether it be through our thoughts, actions, or words. This does not make us unworthy of God’s love, but instead should encourage us to embrace God’s unconditional love for us and to do better. This Gospel reminds us that no matter the circumstances, God is always ready to welcome back his lost sheep.

This fourth week of Lent, let's slow down, find peace in our prayer, and thoughtfully consider our use of time. Can we put down our smart phones, social media or personal wants and instead donate that time to our church? Is there a day in the upcoming weeks you could volunteer at a funeral Mass or church function, arrive 10 minutes early to Mass to be a greeter or stay a few minutes after to help tidy up the pews? Lumen Christi is a community that invites all of us to join together in one light, one love to serve one another and that requires every member to participate whether big or small. 

So perhaps this Lenten season, make it a goal to periodically give up a few minutes of your time in order to realign your thoughts, actions and words back to the Lord through volunteering your time to our parish.