“Lent is the time to give up control, and what better way to give up control than for us to accept our mortality, to accept the fact that we are dust and to dust we shall return,” said Bishop Alfred Schlert during the Annual Lenten Morning Talk for Men.
In his message, delivered virtually by Men Alive in Christ, a Commission for Men outreach effort for formation and evangelization, the Bishop reminded the faithful that giving up control in all aspects of our lives can be particularly tough for men.
“Our role as protectors, providers, and defenders of our families can lead us to believe that we must be in total control,” he said. “We were taught that, but we know in our humanity that is not possible. We cannot control the outcome of everything.”
“Lent is the time when we reflect on our mortality, starting on Ash Wednesday,” he said. “Nobody likes to talk about death. We believe in eternal life but do not welcome the death that will take us to eternal life.”
Bishop Schlert encouraged the Catholic community to pursue the graces of the practice of Lent through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, or good works. “Turn your desire for control over to God. Your family will thank you, your children will thank you, and our Church will be better and stronger,” he said.
Rick Dooley, diocesan liaison for the Commission for Men, offered helpful tips during the broadcast on ways to live Lent more deeply. “We experience Lent more profoundly by practicing our prayer life,” he said. He suggested attending Mass, engaging in scripture reading, spending time in Adoration, fasting by skipping a meal or giving up some comforts and almsgiving, which includes forgiving or repairing a broken relationship.
Mike Barski, Chairman of the Commission for Men, encouraged all to visit the website, MenAliveInChrist.org and register for the monthly Family Rosary which will take place on March 17 at 7p.m.
“From a humble start three months ago, the monthly Rosary has really taken off. We even have a family from California joining us,” he said.
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