Are you a prideful person? Are you committing spiritual idolatry? Are you what St. James calls an adulterer? Pride will keep you from God's grace and He gives it freely. Pride is a disordered view of yourself and distorts our sense of importance. It causes us to place ourselves ahead of other people. It causes us to question why others have more worldly things than we do. We want things so much that we are willing to put those created things before the Creator or even in place of the Creator. Matthew 6:24 tells us that a divided loyalty cannot last. But many of us are very content with our friendship with the world. We are very focused on believing that created things are very important if we are to be perceived by others as important. All of this angst creates an inner struggle and we know what happens when pressure builds. It has to escape and frequently that inner angst explodes on other people. We become angry, envious and greedy. We covet what our friends have and we want it no matter what the cost. We must be happy and free to pursue our lavish lifestyle even if that means killing our children to get there. The good news is that God is waiting to help us out of this disordered existence. We need to develop our faith life and pray. We must allow our prayers to come from our hearts and realize that sometimes the answer will be no. Doesn't God know best what we need? He knows everything about us including our future. Sometimes when the answer is no, we get angry. But if we look back at that situation calmly and in obedience, we realize that God did what was best for us. So I encourage you to pray for wisdom. Submit yourself to God and clothe yourself in humility. Remember who you are and who He is. Wash the world away, take deliberate action to change your life and God will exalt you. The exaltation that God offers is not fleeting like that of the world. Humility is the opposite of pride and brings us in closer union with God. I am humbly praying for wisdom during this Lent. I also urge you to continue to pray for the victims of the tsunami in Japan.

For the past 10 years, Father James Statz has been inspiring Lenten devotions with his missionary-style chaplet. The chaplet consists of a cross on a cord with seven sets of three knots each that is worn around the neck over one's clothing, visible for all of Lent. Starting Ash Wednesday, parishioners wear the cross and pray seven Our Fathers, Hail Marys, and Glory Bes everyday for a specific member of the parish or community. On Good Friday, that cross is then given to that person. During his time as a missionary in Venezuela, Father Statz noted that there was need for a visible sign of the cross. The opportunity afforded by Ash Wednesday to visibly display the cross gave him the idea for what would later become the Lenten chaplet. "It's a good way to evangelize our own people and others in the barrios," he said. He views it a powerful tool in bringing the word of God to everyone. Through the cross, "people are brought into the church," said Father Statz. The Venezuelans assembled rosary-type crosses out of "wood and leaves" in such a manner that they could be worn for the whole of Lent. "The immediate response was very positive," the priest said. After returning to the United States, Father Statz introduced the tradition to his own parish, Our Lady of the Angels in Sauk Centre, Minn. His parishioners were receptive to the practice and immediately adopted the idea. Since its introduction almost10 years ago, the local youth groups also have incorporated it into their fundraisers. "We've done it since it started," said one parishioner, Maria Minette. "I like it a lot because it helps to focus on others during Lent. Sometimes we do it as a family and sometimes we do it individually," she said. Commenting on the effectiveness and the power of the cross, she added, "It's especially powerful for teens, for younger adults -- visually wearing the cross for the days of Lent and having people ask about it gives them a chance to talk about their faith." The youth groups in the Diocese of St. Cloud, Minn., make the chaplets. "Each year we get a new crucifix and this year we had them blessed by (Pope) Benedict XVI," Father Statz said. This tradition is used especially for the confirmation students, but the entire congregation is invited to participate. And the practice has started to spread to other churches in the area, including St. Paul's Parish, also in Sauk Centre. "Sacramentals assist the sacraments -- they go with the liturgy and extend it. Some other parishes have picked up on it and benefited," Father Statz said. The parishioners have been instrumental in the spreading of the tradition and in participating in the Lenten devotion. "I actually would like to see it spread farther," said Minette.

The local paper had a story about St. Patrick yesterday. It talked about some of the myths that surrounded this great saint. One of the more interesting items in the story is that St. Patrick was either French or British. We know that he was brought to Ireland as a slave in 389 but we are not sure of his birthplace. Regardless of where he was originally from, St. Patrick embodied the Irish spirit and became one of the greatest instruments for God on that island. Patrick had a deep faith. He was in constant relationship with God and he wanted that for others as well. He knew of the blessings of God firsthand and made it his life's mission to bring everyone to that glory. Not only did Patrick have a deep faith, he embodied what St. James describes as faith and works. Patrick was always doing good works and showing the face of Christ to others. In spite of not knowing where he was from, he definitely knew where he was going. Patrick gives us a wonderful example of how to live our lives so that we can realize the ultimate prize, a life with God in Heaven. Although the secular world has adopted St. Patrick's Day as a beer-drinking, green wearing celebration, we Catholics need to remain committed to honoring St. Patrick on his feast day with the proper reverence. Since it is already an event that typically gathers people together, we need to take advantage of that experience and talk to our fellow revelers about the saving grace of Jesus Christ. We need to remind our friends and relatives that St. Patrick carried out his mission of bringing people to Christ everyday. The beauty of the saints is that they provide us with tangible examples of how ordinary people can do extraordinary things if they are in union with God. St. Patrick's leadership, humility and faith set the benchmarks for all of us. As you celebrate the feast of St. Patrick in whatever way, take a minute to reflect on the great Catholic who was St. Patrick.

First, please pray for Japan. It amazes me that people do not believe that the devil exists. Even folks who believe in God and consider themselves Christian. The question I want to ask them is, "have you read the Bible?" Last Sunday's gospel reading recounts the meeting between Jesus and the devil. The fourth chapter of Matthew's gospel tells you all you need to know about the devil. He is intent on leading you away from a relationship with God. He is focused on making sure that you try to place yourself on the same level as God. He tempts and most of the time it is with subtle words or whispers. So don't always expect big and flashy when it comes to the devil. Matthew 4:10 tells us, Jesus said to him, "Get away, Satan! It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and Him alone shall you serve." Good advice for all of us. Later this week we will celebrate two special feast days. The first is in honor of St. Patrick. Of course, this special day has become one of revelry and green beer. I urge you to celebrate the day in the spirit of Lent and remembering that St. Patrick worked mightily to bring people to God. The second feast day is in honor of St. Joseph, who was Mary's husband and served as the father of Jesus while He was on earth. St. Joseph is a very special role model especially for fathers. He was the spiritual leader of his family and his family was not your ordinary family. Did you hear that the Vatican is uploading a new Facebook page devoted to the upcoming May 1 beatification of Pope John Paul II? The site will link to video highlights of John Paul's 27-year papacy. It should be very informative and inspiring.

St. James tells us in chapter 3:5-6, "In the same way the tongue is a small member and yet has great pretensions. Consider how a small fire can set a huge forest ablaze. The tongue is also a fire. It exists among our members as a world of malice, defiling the whole body and setting the entire course of our lives on fire, itself set on fire by Gehenna." The tongue reflects what is on our heart. How many times have you wished you had not said something that proved to be very hurtful to someone else? I heard a wonderful story that illustrates this point vividly. There was a rabbi and his student who grew to be very close. The rabbi was very proud of his student because the student always was very prepared for his lessons, asked lots of questions and seemed to be learning everything he could about his religion. The rabbi had been teaching for a long time and he was very methodical about his process. The student was very anxious and wanted to move faster, be done and get out into the world. No matter what the rabbi did to try to persuade his student to slow down and really develop his relationship with God, the student constantly challenged the rabbi. One day the student was visiting with other students and he began to talk about his rabbi in a negative way. He shared with his fellow students that he felt the rabbi had lost his touch and should retire. He further added that he felt the rabbi might be losing his mind. This gossip spread like a wild fire. Soon everyone in the town was talking about the rabbi and how he was losing his mind. Some began to wonder if the rabbi might need to be removed from his position of authority. The rabbi was naturally very hurt when he heard this talk. His heart was pierced even deeper when he discovered that his student had been the source of this vile gossip. When the student visited with the rabbi soon after, the student noticed that their entire relationship had changed. The student sensed that there was something very wrong and approached the rabbi to inquire about it. The rabbi confronted the student with the gossip and the student admitted that he had in fact started the rumor but he was very sorry. He asked the rabbi what he could do to repair the relationship. He told the rabbi that he wanted it to go back to the way it was between the two of them. The rabbi said that the student should go and get a pillow filled with feathers. The student did so and returned to the rabbi with the pillow. The rabbi took the student up to the top of the town tower and he cut the pillow open. He then let all of the feathers fly and they spread out all over the town. The rabbi turned to the student and said "Now go and gather all of the feathers. If you can find each one and put it back in the pillow, all will be fine." The student soon realized that this was impossible. The rabbi said that returning the relationship to the same status as prior to the gossip was just as impossible. He said, "We will never have the same relationship. It may be better or it may be worse but it will never be the same." Before you make that first statement about someone else, think about the implications. Once you cut the pillow and spread the feathers, you will not be able to put them back in. Your tongue is very powerful. It can, as St. James points out, provide the small spark that starts the large, roaring fire. Being slow to speak will always serve you well.

As we begin our Lenten journey, it is always important to focus on preparing ourselves for the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. The journey is equally important. How are you prepared to make the journey? Have you been prayerful about what you would like to see happen over the next 40 days? Opening yourself up to the assistance of the Holy Spirit is a great first step. The graces provided by the Holy Spirit can provide the difference between a wonderful Lenten walk and time wasted worshiping false gods. Lent does not necessarily have to be about giving up candy, soda or Facebook. It should be a time to focus on moving closer to God. Are you dedicating more of your time to listening to God? He wants to be in conversation with you. He is still offering advice. With the constant barrage of noise, can you hear Him? Commit yourself to a Lenten season filled with prayer, conversation and quiet time with God. Allow the Holy Spirit to inhabit every part of you. Look to Jesus as your model and ask yourself "What would He do in this situation?" It is a great time to make a new beginning. Take advantage of this break time that the Church provides you by making sure your Lenten journey is productive. I am praying that we all have a wonderful Lent and that we emerge renewed and inspired to bring God's message to the four corners of the world.

Pope Benedict XVI states in his new book about Jesus that the Jewish people are not collectively responsible for His death. While the Vatican has for five decades taught that Jews weren't collectively responsible, Jewish scholars said that the argument laid out by the German-born pontiff was significant and would help fight anti-Semitism today. Pope Benedict uses biblical and theological analyses to explain why there was no basis in Scripture that the Jewish people as a whole were responsible for Jesus' death. The book is the second installment to Pope Benedict's 2007 "Jesus of Nazareth," his first book as pope, which offered a very personal meditation on the early years of Christ's life and teachings. This second installment, set to be released March 10, concerns the final part of Christ's life, his death and resurrection. The Pope also said it was a mistake to interpret the words reported in the Gospel, "His blood be on us and on our children," as a blood curse against the Jews. Those words, spoken by the mob that demanded Jesus' death, need to be read in the light of faith, the Pope wrote. They do not cry out for vengeance, but for reconciliation, he said. "It means that we all stand in need of the purifying power of love which is his blood. These words are not a curse, but rather redemption, salvation," he said. The Pope said the trial and condemnation of Jesus was a classic conflict of truth versus power, posing questions that still reverberate in modern politics. When Jesus said that his kingship consisted of bearing witness to the truth, Pilate -- the representative of worldly power -- did not know how to react, and asked pragmatically: "What is truth? It is the question that is also asked by modern political theory: Can politics accept truth as a structural category? Or must truth, as something unattainable, be relegated to the subjective sphere?" the Pope said. He said that when "truth counts for nothing," justice is held hostage to the arbitrariness of "changing opinions and powerful lobbies." The history of great dictatorships fed by ideological lies demonstrates that only truth can bring freedom, he said. In essence, he said, bearing witness to truth means giving priority to God.

Why do we find it so difficult to talk about God with other people? I am not talking about when you are at church or in a Bible study group. I am talking about general everyday life. Some find it even more difficult when it is a family member. Are we worried that we are going to offend them? Are we concerned that they are not going to like us any more. I have heard instances of people avoiding others because of their fervor for God. Isn't that the point? We should be on fire for God. We should want people to know that if they talk to us, they are going to hear something about God or at the very least get some advice that is based on God's word. This past weekend's gospel reading was about the difficulty that arises when you try to have two masters; putting things on the same level as God. Worshiping material things in place of God can cause so many problems for us. But having a conversation about these other things (sports, cars, money) is so much easier. Have you ever sat in a busy location and just listened? The conversations can be mind numbing. Especially if there has recently been a big event like the Oscars or the Super Bowl. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with talking about those things. It becomes a problem when we place them before God and our eternal life. Matthew 6:24 says, "No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." It is believed that Mammon was a devil. the word mammon has come to represent riches and materialism. As we begin to think about our Lenten journey, perhaps consider this dilemma. Are you struggling with serving two masters? Making a conscious decision to focus more on God and less on you is a good start to making a change in your life.