I hope you all have survived the cold this last week. It is looking like this week we will see some 30’s. ABOVE zero that is. Only in Minnesota can the same degree feel so different, depending on what we had before. I remember trying to explain to a friend from the south, that 40 degrees is cold in the fall, but in the spring 40 degrees is warm. Yes, I know it is the same degree, but it feels different. We are still in January, and I am sure we will still get some winter yet. However, my spirits change with the new year. November and December always make me think of going into winter. January and February always make me think the end is near. Now I know, with our Minnesota weather it is hard to tell what we will get hit with. My first year in Clearwater, we got DUMPED on in early November and it stayed. This year we have not had a dumping.

Here is what I am hanging on to. We are past the Winter Solstice; the days are getting longer again. The darkness of winter can take its toll. Dark when I get up, dark too early in the evening. So, it is nice knowing we are starting to get some more light in our days. After this week of below zero temperatures, it will feel good to get some nicer days again. The constant changing of the seasons always reminds me of the cycle of life. Summer things are green and alive, Fall things start to die off or go into hibernation, Winter for me can be like that time in the tomb, but Spring!!! Spring is the resurrection and new life. Spring so often is one of our shortest seasons. Some years Winter just does not want to let go. I remember having a hard time the year we were getting snowstorms late into April. ☹

The other passage of time that hits me is the Church Calendar. We so recently celebrated Christmas and we are already getting ready for Lent. Lent will lead us into Holy Week and Easter. These are busy times with lots of planning and details. With Lent, penance services will pick up again. Doesn’t scripture say, come and take some time alone with me? I do need to work that in.

Sometimes with the busyness of our lives, we forget to remember what is truly important. Sometimes we forget to enjoy time with our family and friends. Sometimes we put things off that we really should be doing to take care of ourselves. How many times I have heard parents talk about how much they missed in their child’s childhood, because they were busy with other things. How often do we say we want a better spiritual life, but still do not give it the time needed to grow.

As we have this little bit of a rest between Christmas and Lent, it may be a good time to ponder what we may want to do this Lent? Pray about it. Most years I have my standard that I give up, but each year I try and reflect on something new for this year too. Not just giving up, but maybe picking up. Enough about Lent, for now.

In the Gospel this weekend, Jesus is calling Simon and Andrew, then James and John. They immediately respond and follow Him. I sometimes wish that there was a clear moment in my life that I know I had a calling. There really was not; I have always had a good faith life and practiced it well. But as to when I felt called to priesthood?? It was more of a calling over time, is the best way I can put it. I can look back at priests from my childhood that I was impressed with; one other priest yelled at me once (funny, but that is all I remember about him). Makes me wonder what kids remember about me? I think sometimes just keeping moving in the right direction is the most important part of our faith. Keep drawing closer to Christ.

Blessing,
Fr. Backer