Today is World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life. Today we pray for and give thanks to the men and women who publicly profess to live the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Monks, hermits, contemplatives and religious priests, sisters and brothers represent the diversity of consecrated life recognized by the church. Those who choose this life are committed to imitating Christ, engaging in his ministries of spreading the Good News, and showing that “the world can be transfigured with the spirit of the Beatitudes” (CCC #932). Their witness reminds all of us that our lives have purpose and meaning beyond this age, so we’d better choose how we live our present days wisely.
Today we also give thanks to all of you for your dedication to Holy Cross Church, as we celebrate our 2nd Annual Parish Appreciation Tailgate Party. In particular, I thank so many of you who nominated the following for the Father Straub Service Award: Margie Altschaffl, Phil Ball, Jack Ciampaini, Georgie Gamberoni, Bill Gasper, Eleanor Hamrock, Rose McCaskie, Mike Repasky, Jeanie Savisky, John Zombar. The Pastoral and Finance Council choose Eleanor Hamrock as the awardee. Eleanor will receive the Fr. Straub Service Award at the Parish Appreciation Tailgate Party Sunday afternoon. One of the nomination forms said “Eleanor Hamrock: in my opinion, no one more exemplifies the unselfish spirit of service to our parish as sacristan and president of the Women's Guild.” We are extremely grateful for her service to Holy Cross!
Our readings today present us with a contrast between Jesus’ peaceful balance and Job’s bleak experience of life as an endless cycle of frenetic activity and troubled rest. With Lent drawing nearer, what does the balance look like in my life? How may I have to change if Lent, and discipleship, is to bear fruit in me and in my service to others?
Our Responsorial Psalm this week, "Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted," proclaims goodness of the God who reaches out to heal us in our pain and sorrows.
