This Sacred Week

Dear Readers, I apologize for the lack of updated entries recently on this blog.  As a busy Pastor in a large parish/school you can imagine what other activities are like this time of year.  But, don't loose heart, all is good in the beginning of this sacred week.  A week made holy by our Lord and the saving events of our redemption: the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. Out of great love for humanity, God came to walk among us in human form.  Embracing humanity, with all of our brokenness, he came to heal and redeem us that sin and its affect of death will no longer hold us.  He did battle with the enemy and he won!

Because of Jesus outpouring of divine love in all of its extravagance, a new hope is given to humanity.  Death is not the end of everything but life is promised beyond the death of our bodies. That is a great mystery displayed so powerfully in the raising of Lazarus which was our Gospel on the fifth Sunday of Lent. 

The praise and adulation of Palm Sunday quickly turned to the injustice and sadness of the Passion of the Lord.  We can only imagine the effect of these events on all who followed Jesus closely and in particular his own intimate companions with whom he shared so much: the Apostles.  We heard they fled like cowards and all betrayed him, though not to the level of Judas.  Peter, filled with regret, wept for his friend and for his own denial.  Jesus forgave him and the others. It is painful to wonder how deeply his mother Mary journeyed through her own passion with her son.  The prophecy given by Simeon at the Temple when Jesus was an infant, that a "sword will pierce your heart" now became true.   

There are so many wonderful sources to explore this week.  Below are three of my favorites and I often use them to prepare for homilies and personal prayer time:

Word on Fire (Bishop Barron): https://www.wordonfire.org/

Catholic Productions (membership required): https://catholicproductions.com/  

The God Minute (no membership): https://www.thegodminute.org/

These sources are all different in their tone and depth but all provide rich material and personal challenge.

So, as we journey through the mysteries and real events of this week, let's pray for our Elect and Candidates who will enter the Church at the Easter Vigil this year.  We have in increase here as do other parishes, a refreshing sign of our times.  God will not be stopped in his work.  

I will be in touch further.  Pray for me as I will for all of you.  

Peace,

Fr. Tim