Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God, For he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting in punishment. (Joel 2:13)

Laws, commandments, ordinances, disciplines. These are not ideas ordinarily associated with the life of love and freedom in this world. But in the Christian tradition, the two are intimately related. The Catholic tradition is often perceived as a strict and ridge religion but, in reality, it’s not the case. Obeying the rules is the practice of the faith. “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.” (Ps 19:8) Faith helps us to see the Truth and the Truth leads us to love and love leads us to true freedom. When we live in this love, when we see things through the eyes of faith, the imagined severity of the various laws, commandments, ordinances, disciplines melts away. They become instead the very road to authentic freedom and you are completely free to love God and your neighbors. So, when you perform the traditional Lenten practices — fasting, prayer, almsgiving and penance, may God strengthens you in your identity as children of God and followers of Jesus. Invite you to come up a plan for your Lenten practice and stay with it. The law of the LORD is his joy; and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted near streams of water, that yields its fruit in season; Its leaves never wither; whatever he does prospers. (Ps 1:2-3) May your Lent bear fruit in abundance.

Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love; in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions. Thoroughly wash away my guilt; and from my sin cleanse me. (Ps 51:3-4)

O Blessed Mother Mary, be with us today and throughout Lenten season. Hail Mary full of grace...

Peace in Christ,

Father Vincent-Vuong Nguyen