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Don’t Evolve
Repent
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Dear Friends in Christ,
Back in the 90’s, WHFS radio had a simple slogan: Evolve. It was on their bumper stickers, t-shirts, etc. It was a fun, tongue-in-cheek, haughty statement that highly evolved beings listened to their station. Lesser beings needed to listen to it so that they could, well, evolve.
I was reminded of that slogan recently when I ran across a motto for our nation’s 250th birthday: Reflect. Honor. Evolve. There it is again. But not as much fun.
It’s strange to use “evolve” as a command. The whole point of evolution is that it’s not a choice. No creature chooses to evolve. Nor can you take a fish out of water, throw it on the ground, and command it, “Evolve!” The use of that odd imperative combines the modern world’s recognition that something must change with its phobia of any moral judgments. The modern mind is reduced to commanding that you evolve into…well, it’s not really clear.
The Church doesn’t suffer that confusion. We’re in the midst of Lent, which focuses on a different command: Repent. Granted, that slogan isn’t as witty or popular. But it’s more realistic and optimistic. Realistic, because it recognizes, not that we haven’t evolved enough, but that we have done wrong by our own free will. Optimistic, because it’s based on the truth that we’re created for more.
God doesn’t want us to evolve into something else. He created us to His image and likeness. Not bad. We repent because we have settled for less than God made us to be. We’ve sold our birthright for a mess of pottage.
The command “evolve” implies using our own strength to attain an unspecified future. To repent, however, opens us up to the grace that completes God’s work within us, purifies our human nature, and raises us up to participate in His life. The path of repentance leads to sanctification. That’s something much better than mere evolution.
Updates…
If you haven’t done so already…please make a gift to the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal.
The Spanish Jesuit Martyrs of Virginia – Father Andrew Fisher joins us on March 16th to share the story of the first preaching of the Gospel in Virginia: the Spanish Jesuit Martyrs. Learn about the arrival and ministry of these missionaries and how their work ended in martyrdom. Monday, March 16th, 7:00pm in Monsignor Heller Hall.
“Boots and Bling” is Saint James School 22nd Annual Gala & Auction, Saturday, May 2nd at Washington Golf & Country Club. Go here for more information on the evening, how to donate items, purchase tickets, and bid on silent auction items.
Unplug! In this penitential season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, Bishop Burbidge invites you to participate in a diocesan-wide challenge to fast from screen time March 13-15. Join fellow Catholics from around the diocese in the effort to “unplug” from digital devices to renew our relationship with God and neighbor.
Saint James Disability Inclusion Committee invites all families that have a family member with a disability to join for a fellowship event in Monsignor Heller Hall this Saturday, March 14, from 2:30 to 4:30pm. There will be fun activities for various ages and abilities. Saint James supports the dignity of all human life regardless of age, physical, intellectual, or sensory abilities. Click here for more information.
WorkCamp – If you are female, at least 25 years old, and interested in teen Faith Formation-please consider being a Crew Leader for WorkCamp. The need is immediate. Please contact Andy Newton ([email protected]) for details.
Hygiene Drive for Catholic Charities – Saturday, March 21st, 10 AM-1 PM, Gym Parking Lot. Please donate ONLY these: Diapers (sizes 4, 5, 6), Shampoo, Body Wash, Deodorant, and Laundry Detergent. Please standard sizes of all, no travel sizes. See website and bulletin for details. If you donate early, please leave items in the front vestibule only.
Darn Humor
I asked the ER doctor if I could do my own stitches. “Sure,” she said. “Suture self.”
Through the intercession of our Lady and Saint James, may the Lord bless and keep you.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Scalia