The Catechism of the Catholic Church is not the place where most people start in their meditations during the season of Lent. We know that Lent is the special time set aside for us to turn back to the Lord and reform our ways. All Christians are urged to set aside their selfish motivations and reach out to others, in what has been traditionally referred to as "almsgiving." Yet, while recently going through the Catechism again, I stopped and was struck by the very spiritual foundation for all activities that pertain to Lent; and that is the fact that the Church is holy (para: 823).

The Concise Catholic Catechism puts the matter so straightforwardly: "The Church is unfailingly holy because Christ gave himself up for her to make her holy and has endowed her with the gift of the Holy Spirit." (# 107) The members of the Church may have some share in that holiness, but it certainly is not perfect. And so we have to strive for holiness as Jesus himself hoped that we would. Read more....