What can God help you overcome this Lent?

"In the world you have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." -John 16:33 

As Lent approaches, we look to Our Lord as our guide. At the end of the Last Supper, offering his farewell, as it were, to his closest disciples, Jesus assures them that no matter how difficult things will get, they should take heart, knowing that he has overcome it all. He assures them that his overcoming is their overcoming--and hence it is our own overcoming as well. Whatever it is that discourages us, causes anxiety or fear, or even keeps us from God altogether is already overcome. We can take heart that by trusting in Jesus, he will overcome all in our lives as well. So let's live this Lent as a parish together in the spirit of overcoming: lifting each other up, seeking out those we do not know, inviting those whom Our Lord puts in our path--and we will no doubt be surprised at how he fulfills his promise in the new life of Easter!