Cardinal Dolan: Lent, Like Spring Training

20.05.12

Timothy Cardinal Dolan gave his first mass in New York since returning from Rome, where Pope Benedict XVI elevated him and 21 others to the College of Cardinals on Saturday to a packed church.

His message focused on the opportunity for spiritual renewal during the Lenten season, much like spring training provides for baseball.

"Good news is spring training for the Yankees has begun, right" said Dolan, who explained the team is now concentrating on the essentials of baseball, getting back to basics.

"Lest you think your new Cardinal has flipped his lid in talking about spring training for the Yankees on Ash Wednesday, I simply point out that Lent is spiritual spring training," Dolan said.

Stressing the themes of prayer, penance and charity, Dolan said Lent gives Catholics 40 days to get back to the essence of Christian living.

"Our enemy is not the Boston Red Sox. Our enemy is not even the St. Louis Cardinals. Our enemy is Satan and sin and selfishness," said Dolan adding that the victory on Easter was not a pennant or a World Series Championship, "our victory is eternal life."

Source: WNYC (blog)