Wow, we are five weeks into Lent. It has gone by so fast, and it is still speeding through. Next week is Holy Week, and even though it marks the Passion of our Lord, it is such a celebration of the resurrection and salvation for us all! I think that even through the solemnity of the season, there is so much joy to be had, so much joy to be found. It is the mystery of our faith.

So, in keeping with the theme of spring cleaning, here is what I was pondering this morning. As a Catholic, we prepare ourselves at Mass. Before we hear the words of the Gospel, we either recall our sins, or we say the following:

I confess, to Almighty God, and to you my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned. In my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and what I have failed to do. Through my faults, through my faults, through my most grievous faults. Therefore I asked Blessed Mary of the Virgin, All the Angels and Saints, and you my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

I say this every morning on my way into work, in the car.. I can’t make it everyday, but listening to Mass is the way I start my day. When I miss it, it throws my whole day off. In reflecting on this today, it reminds me, that we are in this together, all of us. I am asking people that I don’t even know to pray for me. There are a lot of Saints and Angels out there, so, all of them, too. Then, Mary, asking her as well. It reminds me that we all need help. We have to ask, no matter out status in life, no matter our faults, we all need help. I know I do, still working on the asking part, but I know I do. It is hard to admit we are faulty, and it is hard to overcome our worldly pride at times. Even so, I believe that I need all the prayers I can get. I need all the support I can muster. I love this part of the Mass (and many other parts). For those who are not Catholic, this probably seems a little odd. We believe that we can ask everyone, living or departed, to intercede on our behalf. It kind of gives me comfort in this, because it helps me realize I am not alone. I have to remind my mind all the time, but saying this, it makes me remember….