Week 363
Positive post Sunday, February 11, 2024…. Week 363. Lent, the origin of my PPS journey which began 363 weeks ago, starts in just 3 days, beginning with Ash Wednesday on February 14th. Those faithful servants of the Lord like me, who also have loved ones, recognize that both Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day fall on the same day this year. And, as I learned last night at Mass, today is World Marriage Day, completing the “Triangle of Love”.
Ash Wednesday: One might ask, how is Ash Wednesday, or Lent, part of the Triangle of Love. My simple answer is that I Love Jesus, my savior and Lord who laid down His life so that believers like me can someday enter Heaven. Ash Wednesday, and the Lenten season, is the time when I, like many Christians, prepare for Jesus’s Resurrection through prayer, penance, and fasting. As a proud and humble Catholic, I see this as my time to show my Love and appreciation for the sacrifice my Lord Jesus made for all of us, opening up the gates of Heaven for those who choose to believe.
My Lenten prayer is that all Christians will step forward and proclaim their faith boldly, outwardly, and inclusively, reaching out to help others strengthen their spirituality. God knows we can certainly use an infusion of faith and good will these days. I will once again proudly and publicly display the ashes I receive in the sign of the cross this coming Ash Wednesday, inviting others to inquire about my faith, opening the door to share the Good News of the Gospel!
World Marriage Day: How fitting that I was reminded today is World Marriage Day while attending Mass at Saint John Vianney Chapel on Balboa Island last night with my bride of over 40 years, Michele Lomen Rendler. The Chapel on the Island is foundational to our faith and Marriage, and one of our most reverent, spiritual and intimate places where we attend Mass together.
After Mass, we picked up the February 11th edition of the Orange County Catholic newspaper. In addition to a wonderful and thought-provoking article on Ash Wednesday titled, “Visible Catholicism” by Rebekah Valderrama, there was also an article on World Marriage Day 2024 titled, “RADIATE LOVE”. This article reminds all married couples that we are called by God to invest in our marriages and radiate our love in our families and throughout the world.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) also recognizes World Marriage Day noting, “Married love differs from any other love in the world. By its nature, the love of husband and wife is so complete, so ordered to a lifetime of communion with God and each other, that it is open to creating a new human being they will love and care for together.” This is an excerpt from their article titled, “Married Love and the Gift of Life.”
Happy World Marriage Day Michele, I love you. I’m deeply blessed to share my life and faith with you.
Valentine’s Day: Although the history is sparce, Valentine’s Day, some consider it “Saint” Valentine’s Day, does have roots to Christianity, including martyrdom and persecution for faith. Reflecting on the Triangle of Love, including the Sacrament of marriage and Ash Wednesday, signifying the beginning of the Lenten season in anticipation of the Resurrection, reminds me of John 15: 12-13 where Jesus said, “This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. There is no greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Saint Valentine appeared to fulfill this commandment, and as we move into the Lenten season, we are reminded that Jesus suffered and laid down his human life for us.
As we recognize our loved ones and get our ashes this coming Wednesday, let’s remember to thank our Lord for making the ultimate human sacrifice, opening the gates of Heaven for all who believe in Him.
What a blessed week and special day ahead. Michele and I not only celebrated World Marriage Day with Mass at “our Chapel on the Island”, I also get to recognize my Valentine and Endless Love on Wednesday. And to complete the Triangle of Love, on Ash Wednesday, we will share a day of reflection while going to church to get ashes, symbolizing our mortality and acknowledging that we are sinners. During Lent, we will repent for our sins in anticipation of the Resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.
All my positive posts are now available at www.positivepostsunday.com.
How are you celebrating your Triangle of Love?
How do you visibly and boldly share your faith and “Radiate Love”?
