CAMDEN – Calling on all to restore their relationship with God and neighbor, Bishop Joseph Williams celebrated Mass on Ash Wednesday at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
“What a holy season to return to our loving Father,” the Bishop said in marking the beginning of Lent on Feb. 18 with priests, religious and faithful of the Diocese.
At the liturgy, which included the distribution of ashes – a visible sign of mortality and repentance – Bishop Williams said he was offering the Mass for the survivors of clergy sexual abuse, mentioning the Diocese of Camden’s recent settlement.
“What courageous and amazing people they are,” he said of the survivors. “Their courage brought our Church to a deeper repentance. I pray for their healing, and for our healing.”
In his homily, he looked to the three pillars of Lent – prayer, fasting and almsgiving – as ways to build one’s relationship with Christ and others.
“Jesus is waiting for us to speak with Him,” Bishop Williams said, expounding on the first pillar.
Quoting Biblical scholar Jeff Cavins in saying that “the shape of our day reveals the love of our life,” the Bishop urged all to make prayer “part of our daily rhythm of life.”
Adding that “prayer anytime is prayer no time,” he challenged all to set a dedicated schedule for conversations with God.
Looking back on his time growing up in Minneapolis, Bishop recalled his family fasting from television during the Lenten season, and the struggle to get through, especially through March Madness. Now, looking back, he understands the benefit of giving up this popular activity, or other popular interests such as social media apps or listening to music.
The quiet this absence brings, this silence, “gives us more time to think about God and other people in our lives who might need our love and help.”
This fasting discernment, Bishop continued, can produce almsgiving – sharing our resources with the needy – which is “powerful for the Christian life.”
As an example of almsgiving, Bishop Williams mentioned the current South Jersey Catholic Ministries Appeal – which serves the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the vulnerable throughout the Diocese. He said contributions “are a wonderful way go live these words of our Lord [to return to Him].”
In a similar manner, Bishop Williams blessed the Catholic Relief Services’ Rice Bowls, encouraging all to take the cardboard collection boxes home. “These rice bowls will bring us closer to our neighbors and bring hope to the most vulnerable.”
Overall, he said: “These pillars will always be the way of spiritual renewal for these 40 days.”
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