BRIDGEPORT—Lent is a time to unburden ourselves of sin and to prepare for the only journey that really matters in life, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano said in his Ash Wednesday homily at St. Augustine Cathedral.
The Bishop began his homily by noting that he is never really sure how much to pack when he travels, and he usually ends up taking too much as he tries to prepare for the weather and the location.
He told the nearly 200 faithful present for the noontime Mass that Lent is about the opposite problem—the need to unpack the sins, attitudes and thoughts that get in the way of our journey toward Christ.
He said that as we begin our Lenten journey we should be asking, “What do we need to un-pack and let go of once and for all, starting with the sins–yours and mine– like stones in our luggage that weigh us down.”
Standing in the center aisle in front of the altar to deliver his homily, the Bishop said that Lent is the time to keep our eyes and hearts “fixed on the Sacred Heart of Jesus,” by avoiding occasions of sin and not letting ourselves be controlled by our attitudes and possession.
“Today we receive ashes that come from burnt palms, a sign of wealth, power and privilege during the time of Caesar,” he said, “and we burn them because that’s the way to get to heaven.”
“St. Paul reminds us that only three things matter—faith, hope, and love,” the Bishop said, “and love is the greatest of these.”
The bishop said that it is easy for people to get distracted and worry more about the trips we may take and the things of the world, but we must learn to travel “lighter and faster” if we seek to go to our home in heaven.
Before distributing the ashes, the Bishop prayed, “We ask the Lord to bless these ashes we put on our heads in penitence.”
The soloist sang, “Come back to the Lord with all your heart; leave the past in the ashes.”
“Remember that you are dust and unto dust you shall return,” the bishop intoned as he imprinted the sign of the cross on the forehead of those who came forward to receive ashes after his homily.
Deacon Joseph Huong of the Cathedral Parish assisted the Bishop during Mass and in the distribution of ashes. The music was provided under the direction of Dr. William Atwood, newly named Director of the Music Ministry of the Diocese of Bridgeport and the Cathedral parish.
