The cold and dark of winter in northeast Wisconsin is bearing down on us in these early weeks of January. We have already endured the shorter dark days of November and December. The final weeks of December and these
early weeks of January have been particularly hard because of the snow and persistent cold. It has not been above freezing since around December 15^th. Brrrrrr! And January is the coldest month on average. Nonetheless, the daylight is growing longer! The momentum is beginning to shift. The temperatures may be very low and the dark nights still very long, however, the movement of the earth around the sun continues. We will once again experience light and warmth. The snow will melt and the ground will thaw. Birds will return from their winter homes. Hibernating animals will emerge from their winter sleep. The colorful and fragrant spring flowers are not too distant.

      We remain a hopeful people, and not just about the local weather. As people of faith we are also preparing to enter the springtime of our annual faith journey. Lent (which means “spring”) is not too far away. This year Ash Wednesday is February 14. Many know this day as Valentine’s Day, a day of recognizing and celebrating one’s love for another. How will we combine those two purposes?

      Catholic Christians are certainly capable of multi-tasking. Saying “I love you,” with a smudge of ashes on our forehead is not impossible. In fact, the uniting force in the Christian life is love. Jesus’ life was an expression of God’s love for the world. Forgiveness is a dynamic which requires one to put aside hatred, jealousy, and past hurts in order to let love to flourish. Seeking forgiveness requires love. Lovers, couples, husbands and wives will want to say, “I forgive you,” or “Please forgive me,” on Valentine’s Day. If those words are necessary, then they come immediately before we can say, “I love you.” All of these words, desires, and interactions are very much part of the purposes of Ash Wednesday.

       As we embark on our quest for conversion and spiritual growth this Spring, we will do well to focus on love and forgiveness. What a lovely combination – Ash Wednesday repentance and Valentine’s Day love!

Peace, Fr. Andy