Write Your Blessed Name

This weekend we celebrate the 1st Sunday of Lent and throughout the world in every Diocese, candidates from the OCIA program participate with the faithful in the Rite of Election. A few years back, I attended at Epiphany Cathedral Parish in Venice, FL, and was struck by the entrance hymn used, “Write Your Blessed Name” by Bob Moore. Verse one of the hymn reads “Be to me a strong tower of defense, a comforter in tribulation, our deliverer in distress.”

As we begin the Lenten season, we embrace the love and promise that the paschal mystery brings. Christ, our defender, our comforter, and our deliverer walks by our side each and every day as we journey with him to the triumph of the cross. 

Our gospel reading encourages us to believe in the hope that the great feast of Easter brings, calling us to change our lives (repent) and to believe in the good news. Lori True’s “Turn to the Living God” is such an appropriate hymn for this weekend and next as we, along with our OCIA candidates “turn from sin and believe the glorious news,” not only just during this Lenten season but year long.

My prayers are with the candidates, their sponsors, instructors, and their parish families that are supporting them through this journey to full communion with the Church.

In closing, as we encounter the many temptations of this earthly life, let us not give into these but instead change our hearts, turn from sin, and believe in the Gospel.

God love you all.

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