St. Paul’s second epistle to Corinth confesses with great boldness how our God loves us. He is patient and kind. He does not boast or envy. He suffers all and endures all. Knowing this love is difficult. Our lives rarely reflect the perfect love of our God. We must hear and learn it again. Thus, today begins our final preparations for the blessed season of Lent. We will see and know the love of our God most graciously shown in His holy Passion. He opens our deprived eyes to see once again His death for us. From this love, we learn how to love God and to love each other.