Lent 3

Happy Lent! Not all journeys take place in the outer world; there are important inner journeys that we need to make. We witness one in the story of the Samaritan woman in today’s gospel. She thought she was only going out to get water. She ended up going on a journey of faith. Lent calls us to journey with this woman and recognize Jesus in his fullness: as one who thirsts for us, who also brings us the life-giving water of baptism, who is a prophet speaking for God, who is the promised Messiah, and most especially, who had come to save us.

This weekend’s second collection will benefit the people of Japan whose lives have been devastated by the Pacific Ocean Natural Disaster. All funds collected will be forwarded through Catholic Relief Services to Caritas Japan (the social service arm of the Church of Japan).

Lord God, Creator of the earth, sea, sky, be present to the people of Japan in their time of need. Receive those who have died into your loving embrace, and grant their families comfort and peace. May those who have lost homes and livelihood feel your love through the help of friends and strangers. Give them courage and hope as they rebuild their communities. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

HOLY CROSS FAMILY LENTEN DAY - THIS SUNDAY @ 3:00 PM!

Lent 2

Happy Lent! Today’s gospel is the Transfiguration of the Lord. It gives us a glimpse, early in the Lenten season, of the reason for our hope. At the Transfiguration Christ goes before us to show us the way, and we are guided by his light. As we continue our Lenten Journey let us pray that we too will be transformed and so bring Christ’s light to the rest of the world. Let us pray in a special way for our sisters and brothers in Japan.

This Friday, March 25 is the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. We are 9 months away from Christmas! This feast celebrates the wondrous event that binds God and humanity forever. Christ, the Word who becomes the Son of Mary, is enfleshed in her virginal womb, making Mary the Mother of God. This feast celebrates the beginning of God’s new redemptive work and recognizes Mary as the “new Eve,” the obedient and faithful woman who generously agreed to a participation in God’s plan of salvation. May we imitate her generous and trusting commitment when she gave herself fully to God and his mysterious ways.

O Mary, may you be proclaimed blessed a among women for endless ages, for today you have shared with us your flour. Today the Godhead is joined and kneaded into one dough with our humanity – so securely that this union could never be broken. (St. Catherine of Siena)

Youth in grades 8-12 who have been invited to attend the Diocesan Youth Celebration are asked to RSVP to me by this Wednesday, March 23. Please make every effort to attend this event, at least the keynote address by Jesse Manibusan.

Next Sunday we will celebrate Lenten Family Day, which is open to the entire parish, for we are all family. Please RSVP by Wednesday, March 23 so that we can plan accordingly. Thanks!

Lent 1

Happy Lent! Although Lent has traditionally been understood as a time of repentance and penance, the readings for the Sundays of this year focus our attention in a different way. They would have us reflect on the goodness of God and the blessings that flow from this goodness rather than on human sinfulness and any attempts to make amends for it through Lenten practices. This is not to deny human failure, but to refocus our gaze from ourselves to God.

Today we are invited to go into the desert. Going into the desert might not sound too appealing: hot during the day, cold at night, inhabited by rattlesnakes, tarantulas and scorpions. In the Bible, however the desert is one of those places where God is at work. Let us joyfully enter the desert for the 40 days of Lent exclaiming, “Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.”

This Thursday is the Feast of St. Patrick. ‘Tis the day for wearing of the green! Patrick was a man of great humility and courage. He was the first human being in recorded history to speak out against the institution of slavery. His writings reflect a deep respect and regard for women. He was a mystic who felt the presence of God in every turn of the road. May Patrick be our guide on our Lenten journey. May we hear God’s call to each one of us to be witnesses of his Christ in our midst, may we dedicate ourselves to the work of establishing God’s people of peace and compassion.

Saturday, March 19, is the Solemnity of St. Joseph. As we celebrate the feast of Joseph, God’s “dad” on earth, may we be inspired by his compassion, his devotion to family, and his quiet dignity and integrity so that we may become “Josephs” in on our own families.

Ordinary Time 9

Today marks the final Sunday before the season of Lent begins. Yes, this Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. And so, ready or not here comes Lent! Today’s readings serve as a good lead-in to the season. Moses calls us to take God’s words to heart and to obey the commandments of the Lord. St Paul reminds us that all of us have sinned and need the mercy of God. And Jesus challenges us to go beyond lip service and truly live the words we profess.

We have to admit we are inundated with words; for example, millions of text messages are sent daily, advertising surrounds us, bulletin boards are cluttered with notices. With so many words, there may be a tendency to disregard them. The gospel warns us that we cannot disregard Jesus’ words, for they teach us the manner of living that leads to fullness of life. And so, the sole purpose of Lent is to find a springtime of new life in the God who is “gracious and merciful … slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment.”

Happy Carnival days and Happy Lent!