Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In any race or competitive contest, one of the most challenging times is the halfway point. In a race like a marathon, one experiences the enthusiasm of the beginning when everyone is fresh and anxious, but at the halfway point, physical and mental fatigue begins to challenge the runner. In a competitive event, the half presents problems for the players in different manners – if they are ahead, the ability to maintain the same energy that gave them the lead is needed. I have even experienced a large lead evaporating with teams not being able to maintain the same energy level that initially gave them their dominance. However, if they are down, the commitment to continue to give their best and to chip away at the lead is required. 

It is at the halfway point that one needs to remind oneself of the reasons why they are in the race or, if in a competitive event, to listen to the coach whose words seek to inspire and bring the best out of the players. In the end, you want to do your best. 

A coach will often say to leave it all on the court, the rink, the field, the track, or the pool. The statement is a reminder to the individual to give it their all and hold nothing back. At the end of the event, to know they have given their best – they have offered everything.

St. Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians uses the practical experience of an athlete. “Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do so to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.” (1 Cor. 9:25)

It is the half point of Lent, March 3, 20 days into the 40 days of Lent, and as your “self-appointed” Lenten Coach, there is a need to take stock of our efforts. The time-honored discipline of Lent challenges us to pray, fast and give alms, all in the effort to draw ourselves closer to God. Holiness is the imperishable crown that we all seek. 

Has prayer occupied a priority during these days of Lent? We do so intentionally. Have you used scripture, the rosary, meditation, or the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to heighten our love for God, in a spirit of adoration, petition, thanksgiving or reconciliation? God is there for us – we need only to reach out to Him. Prayer changes lives and Lent reminds us of the loving sacrifice Christ offered for us.

Fasting is a form of penance which sets limits on the kind and quantity of food we consume or drink. In a world where we seldom limit what we desire, our fasting is a way to state we can do without intentionally to be in solidarity with the Lord and demonstrate our willingness to sacrifice out of love and gratitude for the mercy and forgiveness God has shown us. 

This is also a time for reconciliation. As your Lenten Coach, I encourage you to plan to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation and receive the grace offered during the Lenten season. 

Lenten almsgiving is choosing to intentionally devote time, talent, or treasure for the sake of our brothers and sisters out of love for Jesus. We can choose to serve at a food distribution, collect clothes or devote time to the parish with the specific intention to do it as a Lenten offering. This Lent for our LOA almsgiving, we chose the Servants of the Good Help. These Catholic family missionaries are establishing a Catholic Church community in the jungle area of Peru, and it does my soul good to realize that the local native people are being introduced to Jesus and His Church by a family who love the Lord. 

I have already donated $1,000, but I will skip a few visits to my favorite fast-food restaurants in the next couple of weeks in order to make an additional donation of $100. Currently our LOA collection is $7,500. 

It’s half time, so if our Lent is a marathon, then now is the time when we remind ourselves why we entered the race. If it’s a competitive event and we are ahead, we need to maintain our energy level, and if we are behind, we need to chip away at our laxity and give it our best the next 20 days.

In prayer, fasting and almsgiving, let us do our best to demonstrate our willingness to follow Jesus and LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Sincerely,

Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki

Archbishop of Milwaukee          

Note: This blog originally appeared as the March 5, 2024, "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.