P H Chaaamease TN 2/3/2010
Opening Prayer Let us begin: + In the Let usof pray name thein reverence in the presence of the living God. Father, and In faith and love we ask you, Father, to watch over your family gathered here. In your the Son, and mercy and loving kindness no thought of ours is left unguarded, no tear unheeded, no joy unnoticed. the Holy Spirit. Through the prayer of Jesus may the blessings promised to the poor in spirit lead us to the treasures of your heavenly kingdom. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. + In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The Word of God February 3, 2010 Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Luke 5:1-11 The Lord be with you. And also with you. A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke. Glory to you Lord. + May the gospel always be on my mind, + on my lips, + and in my heart. While the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. And he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simons, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, 0 Lord." For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men." And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
P H Chollasongs TN Lord's Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; they kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver from evil. Amen.
Apostles' Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Nicene Creed We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that Is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended in heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Act of Contrition 0 my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sins, because of Your just punishments, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin.
Marriage Tobit 8:4-9
Prayer
Marriage is a sacrament: the sign of Christ's love for the Church.
Theme
Three parties freely commit themselves: A man, a woman, God. Marriage is for life. The Church calls married people to be open to being blessed with children. They also have the responsibility of raising them as Catholic Christians. Separation and divorce happen. All members of the community should support one another, whether the person is single, married, or separated from his or her spouse. Marriage must be worked at and should be prepared for, thus marriage preparation programs.
S c r i p t u r e
• Genesis 1:26-31—Creation of man and woman • Ecclesiastes 16:1 •- Romans 8:31-35,37-39—The love of Christ • 1 Corinthians 13:4-13--Love is 4 • Matthew 19:3-6—Divorce is forbidden. 9 16 15:9-12—Remain in love. • John 21 How is Christian marriage different from civil marriage? Questions to Good wife What is theand point of such strict rules about marriage? Ponder husband If I could change something about marriage, what would I change? What about our marriage? How can we grow to love each other more?
Reflections
Copyright 0 BROWN Publishing—ROA Media
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Christ Among Us p. 382 - Marriage declared a sacrament in the 16 th Century Marriage is a covenant into which the partners must freely enter. One purpose of marriage is to help each other attain holiness and another is to raise and educate the children, should they be blessed with any. p. 384 Couple give the sacrament of marriage to each other....with God as the foundation.. The priest or deacon acts as the official witness of the Church. Marriage is a permanent, faithful commitment and remains the ideal. all who enter marriage want the permanence and they want the ideal to be Achieved. Separation and divorce happen: Divorce is an adult response to an adult problem. It is not a sin! And children are not to blame! There are many theories on why marriages fail. And no person has a guarantee the marriage will last. Marriage has a better chance to last when bride and groom have matured as individuals; have a good idea of the demands of life; are committed to the primacy of their relationship and are able to draw strength from their religious faith.
Catechism paragraphs 601-1666 Matrimony gives men and women the grace to love each other as husbands Arl4'sviv,0 to 7 be faithful tes each other, and to help each other be holy. If god seeds theg? thpir sacramental grace will help. thprp good parents and teachers of their fareily. . ••••••,• • i" • In •Matrimony, Christian men and yhziMen It is clOtitrom the very beghwing of malce vows to each other, to poci, q04to poripmrpthat God ivants Wen and women the Church. They promise to pp pi to to bp pifli 1 live together, and to he a Chifatiml; • family. They promise to accept al •:: ohildreinnto the world and itive them, too. . As God made covennets with his people, welcome any children pod se 0 in a hp rPylici that men and Women were to and . to teach thclle children a§9t4 0q4 union of ti 01 Now Church teaches thgt the union of lovethe And . . atoNspapd bring •find ivife ist a sip) Of the union o whole tiipm Church, and they will lie IctioN of Ipspa Christ and his hridP,• the Church. .pnblicly as a married couple. f!c!p4000 • •1 of this, the celehration of 0 P 14 h Man and woman confer the'0,4113r19 4,EARITIORY is i'on each other in the presence Of a pripst sor deacon, chosen witnessea; ad Otlipr 4 C members of their families god OppiOunity• h Th begins a lifelong marriage! Tkpralfp•now eu rco just two people hut one floily, 9ne not household. Whether they liavP:Ohildrpn c up or not, their home is to be aPiacp h Christ is welcomed. le 1. • , • :LTV . • oe 4ere • • la fix4; • br • at • ps Jesus himself grew up In a fag*. His mother and his fostOr fathet ralSed him • th in a Jewish home, teaching him the prayers and practical of thefr folth;• lh the Same way, out hod* are to be places Where each' member grows eir and holiness. The Catechism . w church,' a community of grace and prayer, a school ot human 1440 .tri.fa of Christian charity' 1666). pd '1' • • .1 • • • , , (paragraph • .6i411§ the Christian farrilly t di home '"the FrotOp9tic ith ps • • :: : ••• ,•, If you are called to he Married, there is also saermilent of service foti you—the sacrament' of Matrimony. Men•and women can get Mahied without receiving a sacmppi, but when thp people who are free to marry are bapti$4.in 04! • t Jesus, they'ie§eive the sacrament of Matrimony. 8•
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MARRIAGE Marriage is one of the Sacraments of Vocation. Marriage is a total commitment of a man and a woman in sharing their life and in celebrating their love. A man and a woman give this Sacrament of Marriage to each other and the priest or deacon, who presides over the ceremony, acts as a witness for the Church. The Church calls married people to love their children and to raise them as practicing Catholic Christians. The Church calls married people to share their faith with others and to minister to their loved ones and to Others in need.
I Con 13:443 — "Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, Love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails....So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love." Marriage must be worked at and should be prepared for in marriage preparation programs. Couples are asked to see a priest at least 4 months in advance of setting a wedding date. Take each expression of "LOVE" in theScriptuke reading above and apply it to- your marriage.
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Itis very hard.to beable to establish a ti • -•aible does mention *a little about marriage as it was considered a family and household affair. The oldest Male relative caretaker of the girls and•the prospective husband would ask the father for the girl ue date on thewas firstthe marriages • .after first bringing hip gifts toinwin although the Old Testament thehis approval-. The mother was dominated by the father and had no chbice in the matter. The father would transfer the daughter to the prospective husband in public as this 'showed that he approved this transfer and that the groom had the father's approval. After this transfer the bride and groom ate a meal together with the families and then the groom took the bride home. In the Old Testament of the Bible there is no mention of a formal exchange of vows or of a preacher or , priest being present at this union. In the time of the Roman Empire (17 15.C.-- A.D. 476) the lower clatses who became Christians later had common law or free marriages. The father would deliver the bride and the agreement of the two was marriage as a conscience marriage. This agreement meant that each partner was to keep the marriage • Vows and .the marriage intact. • :• --• There were Romans who were very, wealthy who would sign documents • consisting of listing property rights and letting all know that they wanted this union to be legalized and not to be thought of as a common law marriage. • Thus this began the official recording of marriages as we do today. Roman men could dissolve the marriage any time as it was accorded to females. . a male privilege, not one In A.D. 527-565 during the rein of Justinian lawyers drew up laws called the Justinian Code and this was a regulation of their daily life including marriage. pp until the time of the Justinian Code just saying you were married was enough. Until the ninth century marriages were not church involved. Up until the twelfth' century there were blessings and prayers during the ceremony and the couple would offer their own prayers. Then priests asked that an agreement be made in their presence. Then religion was added to the ceremony. English weddings in the thirteenth century among the upper class became religious events but the church only blessed the marriage and did not want a legal commitment. In 1563 the Council of Trent required that Catholic marriages be celebrated at a Catholic church by a priest and before two witnesses. By the eighteenth century the wedding was a religious event in all countries of Europe. • • In Colonial times in North America the customs of the old countries were followed. There were some who only wanted a civil ceremony and not a religious ceremony. The Colonists who wanted civil marriages passed laws to this effect. 6*
Civil magistrates would perform marriage ceremonies and they would even include prayers in the ceremony. Viriginia was a colony that stayed with the customs of the church and did not permit anyone to have a civil marriage ceremony as they followed the Church of.England. By the end of the eighteenth century both religious and civil marriage ceremonies were legal in American. In European countries today, civil marriage ceremonies are legal as in America. Even in England, the couple can chopse to have either a religious or civil 6eremony.. :
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In the next few years, one of your tasks will be to discover what is to be your Christian vocation.
Some of you might be called to vowed reli brother, you could live the call of your gi Baptism by devoting yourself more closely ou to the work of the Church. In such a life, s you life would be dedicated to God and to a .religious community by vows of poverty, cAs •hastity, and obedience, but you would still be part of the Church's laity. a Ifreli you are a boy you might be called to gio in Christ's priesthood in a special share way us and to give special service in the community. Some men receive the sis sacrament of Holy Orders, a sacrament ter of or service, in which Christ gives the sacramental grace needed to be servants and leaders of the Church in the name and in the person of Christ.
A bishop is the leader of a diocese, a group of parishes in one area. The bishop is the chief teacher of his diocese and makes decisions for the parishes in his diocese. He celebrates the sacrament of Confirmation, and he ordains the men called to be priests or deacons in his diocese.
Priests can' consecrate bread and wine in the Eucharistic Liturgy. They can give absolution to forgive sins. They help the bishop of a diocese as they are needed, often by serving as ministers to people in one or more parish churches. Deacons are given grace at ordination to carry out important tasks of ministry. They assist at Mass, proclaim the Gospel, and preach. They are able to baptize and to perform the sacrament of Matrimony. • They visit the sick, help the poor, and give service in parishes in many ways.
There are three degrees of Holy Orders. The highest is the order of bishop (the episcopate). Next is the order of priest (the presbyterate) followed by the order of deacon (the diaconate). Each degree of Holy Orders gives a man special powers and special duties and responsibilities.
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Holy Orders: What is the Priest's Role Today?
one. As soon as I completed the eighth grade, I went to the seminary. The next 13 years I worked at "becoming a priest." How times have changed! Boys and girls don't make lifelong career choices in gradeschool anymore. Even most college students change their major on the average of three times and don't decide what they want to be till their junior year. There are so many more choices available today, it just takes us more time to "get our act together." Everything seemed so much simpler in 1948. What is a priest? I could easily answer the question then: The priest said Mass, heard confessions and taught people about God. And once a week he appeared in the classroom to check up on Sister and see if she was teaching us our catechism. (Besides "checking up on Sister" he also passed out candy and spoke Chinese! Our priest, you see, had been a missionary in China until the Communists arrived.) I can smile at my third-grade comprehension of the priesthood, yet even after 30 years much of my understanding remains true. I have been a priest since 1966; I teach in a seminary where I help others to become priests. Today's seminaries are quite different from yesterday's. In a few minutes I will go to a classroom where—with the aid of a TV camera and several members of the local parish—six men are going to practice saying Mass and hearing confessions. These seminarians will soon be ordained to the priesthood. None of them thought of becoming priests in the third grade as I did; they didn't enter the seminary until after graduation from college or several years of work, military service or the peace corps. But ask them why they want to be priests and their answers won't be too different from the one I gave in the third grade: They want to serve God's people in whatever way they can, especially 1) by preaching the Word of God; 2) by bringing people together with forgiveness, healing and reconciliation; and 3) by helping people experience Jesus in their lives—in prayer, in the sacraments and especially at Mass.
Origins of Christian Ministry The six seminarians mentioned above are following in a long line of Christian ministers going back to the time of the apostles and to Jesus himself. Through the centuries, this ministry to the community has taken various forms and has been called by different names. A brief look at this history will help us understand Holy Orders today.
By Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. at is a priest? Just what is his task in the nuclear age? 1—ve been thinking seriously about the role of the priest for over 30 years. In 19481 decided to become a priest. I was in the third grade at St. Anthony's School in Wichita, Kansas. At the age of nine I knew what a priest was and I wanted to be
We often think of a priest as someone who stands between the people and Cod to offer sacrifice and worship for them. It is a surprise to many Catholics to learn that the New Testament does not speak of this type of priesthood in the Christian community. Yes, the Epistle to the Hebrews calls Jesus a "high priest" and compares him to the Jewish priests with which the Hebrews were familiar. But there is no clear picture of individual priests in the early community acting, as the levitical priests did, as "clerical" mediators between God and the people, offering sacrifice on behalf of the community. Rather the entire Christian community was so identified with Jesus that they were his Body; they participated in his priesthood. By Baptism the Christians became "a chosen race, royal priesthood, a holy nation" (1 Peter 2:9).
However, not everyone in the community had the same function or duties. just as in one body we have many members yet all the members do not have the same function, so the early community was organized with different officers so that it could grow and exercise its royal priesthood in an orderly fashion. Various ministries or "Orders" were found in the community and members were "ordained" to exercise these functions.
Three Clerical Orders It is hard to reconstruct in full detail the growth and development of these ministries or Orders in the community; in fact, it seems that the system was not uniform in all the lands to which the gospel spread. However, we do find three Orders which are universal and which are the key to our understanding of the Sacrament of Holy Orders today: 1) Overseers, 2) Elders, 3) Special Assistants. In the early Church, the overall management of the community was entrusted to an "Overseer." He was responsible for the life and growth of the community. He accepted new members; he reconciled sinners; he led the community in its worship. In many ways he was something like the one we would call today "pastor of the parish." A "Council of Elders" helped him minister to the community. They aided him in his decisions and even sometimes stood in for him when he was absent. The Elders helped the Overseer with his teaching, anointing the sick, missionary work and establishing new communities in the neighboring towns and villages. By the fourth century, we see Elders placed in charge of smaller, rural churches where they presided at Eucharist and received new members through the waters of Baptism. In addition to the Council of Elders, the Overseer had the help of Special Assistants who served the Overseer in meet-
ing various practical neeils of the community. They may have taken charge of the church finances, or communications with the neighboring churches, or caring for the orphans. The Overseer, the Elders and the Special Assistants were members of the community and at the same time they wt. selected from the community and "ordained" for their special ministry. To ordain an Overseer, the Overseers of the neighboring churches placed their hands on his head (the traditional gesture for giving the Spirit) and prayed with the whole Church that the Spirit guide him in governing the Church in this place. The Overseer ordained the members of his Council of Elders by imposing hands on them and prayed that the Spirit strengthen them to carry out faithfully the work of the ministry he would entrust to them. In this structuring of the community we find the origins of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. We speak of 'Orders" in the plural, for the three different ministries still exist. The Greek word for Overseer is episkopos, which becomes our words episcopal and bishop. An Elder in Greek is presbys, which becomes presbyter and priest in English. The title given the Special Assistants was diakonos in Greek, deacon in English. In addition to these three Orders (which are called "clergy"), there is the Order of the Faithful and the Order of the Catechumens. We belong to an ordered community. Not everyone has the same duties or ministry, but we are all called to be a holy people, a royal priesthood.
Shifting lob Descriptions' Thelob description" of bishops, priests and deacons has changed with the centuries. During the Middle Ages when many bisOps.became powerful political leaders, sometiq even leading armies, they left the day-to-day ministry of the.'
Being a Priest, What Does It Feel Like? I am sure that you see priests and know something about what they do: You worship with them, hear their homilies, serve on committees with them. But what about the part you don't see? What does it feel like to be a priest? A priest has bad days and good days like anybody else. He has joys and sorrows. If I were asked to name my greatest sorrows or joys as a priest, I would answer this way: Contrary to the expectations of some, I would never put "not having children" or "not having my own house" in the "greatest sorrow" category. There was a time when I might have placed "loneliness" high on the sorrows list, but in my ministry I have come to know that each individual (even the happily married) has to face a certain essential loneliness; the priest is no different. I guess my greatest sorrow is being called upon to minister to those Catholics who seem to have all the answers. They seem to know so clearly what God wants of them (and mel) and yet when they begin to tell me about this gospel, there doesn't seem to be much Good News about justice for the poor, freedom for prisoners or joy for the sorrowful. I find ministering to these Catholics the hardest thing I have to do. What are my "greatest joys" as a priest? This question is much easier to answer. First of all, I have the conviction that I am helping people. I became a priest to serve the Church; I find joy in seeing the results of that service. Of course, there are lots of "results" that I'll never see (at least, not in this life), but there
are those times when someone says to me after Mass, "Father, that really meant a lot to me; I think I've got strength to cope another week." Or when I see the calm and relief that comes over a person as I announce the words of Christ's peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. And then there is that tight-throated, watery-eyed sensation that I get when I see one of my students kneel before the bishop and ask to be ordained, and a special joy when I see the parishioners responding more generously to the needs of the poor. I like especially that prayerful hush that comes over a congregation after a homily which challenges them to respond to the invitation of the Gospel. These things don't happen all the time, but they come Often enough. They give me the assurance that lam sharing that which I hold most precious, my faith in Jesus. The joy is real! And as (grow older and am not so concerned about being on the job 24 hours a day, I find that the greatest Joy of being a priest is that my work itself brings me closer to God. For example, the other night I realized that it was nearly 3:00 in the morning and I was still "working on my homily." I wasn't just worried about giving a good sermon; I was caught up in trying to learn the meaning of the Scriptures for my life today and trying to share those insights with those to whom I minister. How many people that you know have the leisure to just sit and listen to God an enjoy his presence? The very things that give me the most pleasure are those same things that you would call my "priestly work."
church to the priests and often ceded spiritual responsibilities to the Bishop of Rome, the Pope. The Order of deacons, meanwhile, nearly disappeared from the Roman Church. As a result of these job shifts, more and more responsibility fell upon the priest's shoulders. Often he was the only cleric visible to the ordinary people. The priest was looked upon as the one who received the power to say Mass and forgive sins for the Church at large. And these powers which he received ...an as a ministry to be coordinated with that of the bishop of the local Church. I must admit that many of these Middle Age practices had more influence on my understanding of "what is a priest" than did either the practices of the New Testament or of the early Church. When I began studying for the priesthood, I did not think of the Church as an "ordered community" or a "priestly people? I had never seen a deacon or a catechumen, much less known what one was. I had only seen a bishop once (at my Confirmation). But I knew about priests: priests said Mass; priests knew all about the Bible; priests knew the laws of the Church and could tell people what was right and wrong. The priests were the ones who served the people and that's what I wanted to do.
Priestly Ministry Today— Accent on Community The Second Vatican Council was faced with the task of giving us a more balanced picture of priesthood. Many questions have arisen since the Council: Should priests be allowed to marry? Should women be ordained? Should priests be allowed to leave the priesthood? But the important questions are still the two raised by the Council: 1) What is the relation of the community to its ministers? 2) What are the specific tasks of bishop, priests, cons and the laity and how are they linked to each other? The Council began to answer these questions and today we are seeing some of the results of its decisions. Ministry is seen in the context of the entire community. The bishop has
been given more responsibility for his local Church. The new ordination prayer for priests mentions explicitly that they are to be co-workers with the bishop. The permanent diaconate has been restored to the Church. We are becoming more aware of lay ministry and even see programs developing specifically for the training of lay ministers. Ministry is exercised within the community. This means more "teamwork," more meetings, more collective decisions and more responsibility given to the entire Church. As a priest, I have to see my role in this new context. For example, I no longer see myself as "saying" Mass for you but "celebrating" with you. My ordination enables me to preside at the Liturgy—to call the community together, to focus the prayer of the assembly and to help the community manifest itself as a sign and sacrament of our communion with God by our unity as his people. There are many questions yet to be answered: the specific nature of the lay ministry, the role of the deacons, the right of a community to ordained ministry. But we will have to continue to find answers to the two basic questions posed above if we are to know the role of the priest today.
Priesthood Since Vatican II One way to understand the role of the priest is to look at today's seminaries and see how priests are made. A seminary is a specialized graduate school. Most of the students are college graduates, usually with a background in the liberal arts. • The academic training of the candidates for the priesthood begins with the study of Sacred Scripture, which roots the student in the Christian faith tradition. Courses in Church History show the different ways in which this revelation has been expressed in the Church as it spread to various cultures and centuries. Systematic Theology presents in an orderly (systematic) manner the study of God, revelation, Jesus and the Church. The ordered functioning of this Church and the rights and duties of its members are examined in Canon Law. Liturgy and Sacramental Theology study how the mystery of Christ and the nature of the Church are revealed in worship. Moral Theology examines this revelation to help us bring
ourselves and the world to the fullness of life, justice and love. These are the same subjects I studied in the seminary back in the early 60's, but today the emphasis is much different: A major difference between the seminary now and then is the integration of academic and practical skills. In addition to the courses listed above, there are ministerial courses which help the seminarian to acquire those skills which he will need as a priest. He learns how to proclaim the gospel message (evangelization) and teach (catechetics) and preach (homiletics), how to counsel and comfort (pastoral counseling and psychology). These skills are learned not only in a classroom but in "the real world," actual ministering situations (field education, clinical pastoral education, internship programs) where attitudes are formed, knowledge applied and skills practiced under the supervision of an experienced minister with whom the student can reflect on his own experiences. This academic and ministerial formation is integrated into a program of personal and spiritual growth by means of liturgical prayer, reflection on Scripture, spiritual direction, discussions with peers and teachers in Integrating seminars. Today's seminarians need time to reflect on their life experiences and on their faith in order to integrate their studies and their life-style and ministry. The whole process takes about four or five years, depending on the individual and his needs. In many ways, today's priests are the best prepared ministers in the history of the Church.
The Sacrament of Holy Orders This program ends, not in graduation or in the granting of a license to be a minister, but in sacramental ordination. When the candidate and the seminary staff and the laity to whom the seminarian has been ministering discern together that he is ready for ordination, he is presented to the bishop who officially calls him to the Order. The bishop imposes hands on the candidate and prays for the gift of the Spirit. This sacrament is a visible sign of a new inner reality: The candidate enters a new relationship with the Church. His baptismal commitment takes on added dimensions of service. The sacrament of Holy Orders is the pledge that the choice made here on earth is confirmed in heaven. The call (vocation) of God and the call of the Church become one.
What You Can Do for Priests A priest doesn't have many material needs. Often, people have to really search to find him a birthday present: a book, a new shirt, an evening at the theater. These things make nice gifts and I appreciate them. However, there are other things that I think priests need even more, at least these are the things that I need from you. • Normalcy. The priest is not too different from the man next door. He gets hungry, takes time for a nap, needs close friends, hates being disturbed during the last 15 minutes of a Published with ecclesiastical approval
TV movie, doubts now and then if it is all worth it, and sins (they're about the same sins you commit). Treat the priest like a normal human being. • Compromise. Your idea of a priest may not be the same mine or the same as your pastor's. What you expect of hii. and what he thinks you expect of him may differ. compromise and face-to-face discussion are more useful in A little this matter than a lot of behind-the-back complaining. • Benefit of the Doubt. I can testify that the priest has cares and worries that you don't know about. I have non-priest friends who know me very well and it is hard for me to explain even to them what it is that takes up my time: the many diverse hurts I have to touch, the insecurity of dealing with a God who seldom reveals to me a complete outline of what he wants me to do. If the priest seems more tired or grumpy than you think he ought to be, he may have a reason; give him the benefit of the doubt. • Balance. Give the priest a compliment now and then. He gets lots of complaints. Balance the complaints with a compliment from time to time. • Acceptance. I am sorry but you'll just have to accept the fact that your priest may do some things better than he does some other things. He may be really good with visiting the sick, but not so hot with talking to kids. He may be a great preacher, but leave something to be desired when deciding how to spend your money from the collection. We in the seminaries are trying to make priests that will do everything well, but you'll have to wait for that model; we have not yet succeeded. Accept him as he is. • Christian Witness. Last is the greatest gift you can give: Christian witness. This is what I need most—to experience, your good example. Mr. Hamlin's trust in God after the trat,., death of his young son strengthens my trust in God. The love of Mrs. Rogers for her husband tells me of God's faithful love for me, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer. The cheerful service of John O'Brien, a young single adult, to the youth of the parish is a constant inspiration to me. The tireless devotion of Mrs. Forman taking care of her cranky kid moves me to greater service, even when it isn't the most rewarding thing to do. The devotion of the parish at Sunday Mass calls me to greater devotion. The hunger on people's faces for the Word of God makes me prepare my homilies with care and responsibility. It is the generosity of Christians that calls me to greater generosity. The example of Christian witness is the greatest gift you can give a priest.
Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. was ordained in 1966. After obtaining an M.A. in theology from the University of Notre Dame, he studied liturgy and sacramental theology in Europe. He was granted the degree Doctor of Theological Science by the institut Catholique de Paris in 1976. Currently teaching liturgy at St. Leonard College in Dayton, Ohio, Dr. Richstatter is the author of Liturgical Law Today, published by Franciscan Herald Press.
TRADITIONS, OF LENT Rather than being overly hard and nitpicking on yourself, take this time to review your spiritual journey, both sins and successes. In what ways have we sinned against God today? Against the people in our lives? Against ourselves? Where are the areas of good that we can build on and grow into God's love?
Prayer Attend Mass or read the day's Scripture. One of the most popular Lenten practices is to try to participate in the Eucharist more often—perhaps in the morning or evening, or during lunch hour for those in the workforce. Going to daily Mass has many benefits: not only God's saving presence in the Eucharist, but also one's increased awareness of progressing through Lent as one listens to the daily Scripture readings and homilies. If you can't get to daily Mass as often as you'd wish to during Lent, jot down the daily readings listed in the missalette at Sunday Mass (or perhaps your parish distributes wall calendars that list the day's readings). Look up the readings in your Bible and use them for private prayer or family readings. Some families have the custom of listening to one of the daily readings before mealtime. Do spiritual reading, listening, viewing. A visit to a Catholic bookstore or a look through a Catholic book catalogue will provide many ideas for spiritual reading to enrich your Lenten preparation. Consider, too, listening to spiritual audiocassettes in your car or home during Lent, or spending some of your "video time" with a spiritually enriching videotape. Your parish staff can help you find sources for these materials, perhaps even the parish library. (A catalogue of religious books, audiocassettes and videos is available from St. Anthony Messenger Press by writing to the address on the front page of this Update.) Examine your conscience nightly. An examination of conscience each evening is a healthy way to take stock of our lives.
Visit church. A quiet church can be an oasis in a busy day. Stop in for a moment of prayer or reading, or even a longer stay in the quiet presence of God. Most parishes schedule holy hours during Lent (and other times of the year). This practice of adoring the Blessed Sacrament goes back to the 1400 hour 1 consists of the exposition of the Eucharist, s. A holy singing hymns and receiving a special blessing, the Benediction, from a• priest. These sacramental rituals are rooted • in the Eucharist and can help us to keep the Eucharist at the center of our lives. Many people also find praying the rosary deeply fulfilling. There may be a group who gathers to pray the rosary at your parish, or you may prefer to pray with your family or even alone. Attend or pray the Stations of the Cross. This private or communal ritual honors the passion and death of Christ. In the communal service, the leader stops at each of 14 stations—crosses with scenes from the Gospel Passion Narratives, often found around the inside walls of a church—and
leads the faithful in prayer. Sometimes the stations are erected along an outside path. Also known as the Way of the Cross, this ritual was made popular by the early Franciscans, who were seeking ways to make the gospel more real and accessible to simple people. The idea traces back to the early Christian practice of visiting the scenes of Christ's passion and death in Jerusalem. In some cities Stations of the Cross are prayed along a procession route, with a social justice theme linking Christ's suffering to the suffering of the poor. Pray the Sign of the Cross. Some things become so familiar that we take them for granted. A good Lenten practice would be to stop and think about what we're doing when we make the Sign of the Cross. The cross is at the center of Christianity; it signifies the deepest surrender to God's will. As we recall at the Baptism ceremony, "We die with Christ to rise again in him." • When you make affirm / your own surrender to God's will. While tracing the Signthe of sign the over your body, prayCross, that you will live as a member of God's kingdom. Display palms. Given out on Palm (Paslion) Sunday, palms mark the beginning of Holy Week. After they are used in the Palm Sunday liturgy, palms often are hung reverently in homes. Sometimes they are decoratively braided before they are hung. The palm-bearing date tree was greatly prized for its shelter, dignity, beauty and shade. It was carried in Jesus' time as symbol a of victory and well-being in triumphal processions. In our homes, palms can serve as a reminder of the victory of the cross throughout the year. Use sacramental symbols like tire and
water. One way to enrich your experience of the Easter Triduum liturgies (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil) is to use water and fire in your home symbolically during Lent. During the Triduum, water and fire are used prominently at the washing of feet, in Baptism, in the Vigil fire and candles. Lent would be an ideal time to place a container of water somewhere in your
Tune In to RCM. Becoming more aware of the steps the catechumens are taking to prepare for the Easter Vigil will help you prepare, too. Introduce yourself to the catechumens in your parish if you have the opportunity. Your show of support and encouragement will help them feel more welcome.
home and use it in blessing yourself with the Sign of the Cross, perhaps at morning and evening. Or you might sprinkle the family with a few drops of water as part of your mealtime blessing. Allowing the other water in our lives—morning showers, washing children, being in the rain— to remind us of Baptism is a simple way to enter into the spirit of Lent. Lighting a simple candle at the table where you eat during Lent can be a powerful reminder both of Baptism and of penance. Pray this simple prayer as you light the candle each day: "Jesus, you are the light that springs from darkness. Spirit, you are the fire of love in our lives. Almighty God, help us during this Lent to know and follow your will. Amen." This prayer could be followed by sprinkling each with water and making the Sign of the Cross.
Fasting and Penance Celebrate Shrove Tuesday. To enhance your fast, end your feast! Known in Latin cultures as Mardi Gras (Fat Illesday), this symbolic "feasting" marks the end of the carnival season and ushers in Lent. One time-honored European tradition is to serve pancakes for supper on Shrove lbesday. Some families get together for pancakes as a way to share a fun social occasion before Lent begins. You may choose to do that or find some other way symbolically to celebrate the day: perhaps a favorite dessert or a night out. If you live
anywhere near New Orleans, your celebration will likely be far more extravagant than a pancake supper! Receive ashes and wear them humbly. Ashes, an ancient Jewish sign of penitence, begin Lent. Usually during Mass on Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, the faithful come forward to have ashes rubbed on their foreheads in the sign of cross. The ashes come from the burned palms from the previous year's Palm Sunday. Depending upob local practice, the priest or other minister will say one of two formulas: "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel" or "Remember, man, you are dust and to dust you will return." Ashes—black and gritty—remind us of the somber character of Lent. They symbolize the darkness in our lives which must be confronted and repented. They remind us, too, that, just as something that has burned is gone, what we have and who we are on this earth are not permanent. There is an urgency in the Lord's call to conversion. Worn publicly, ashes remind us that we call each other to live the gospel.
at how rewarding the sacrament is. Many parishes have communal Penance services during Lent. These combine a prayer and Scripture service with the opportunity for private Confession. Other Penance times may be listed in a Sunday bulletin, or you can simply call a priest. If you feel for some reason you just can't go to your parish priest for Confession, find a priest outside your parish.
Almsgiving Volunteer at a local charity. Whether it be a soup kitchen, an elderly visiting service, a hospital or community program, you will likely receive more benefits from volunteering than you expect. Spending your time and natural gifts in service of the poor, even if only for an hour a week, can open your eyes more fully to the gospel.
Give up things. Since Lent is a time of personal and communal conversion, it is an especially fitting time to cut back on Share your wealth. Jesus tells his discilife's extras. Remember, the purpose of ples to share their resources quietly with Lent is not solely to give up things; it is to those who go without. If you are giving turn our lives from what does not really something up for Lent, take the money satisfy and to fill ourselves with God's ' you would have spent and donate it to a life. Even a casual look at advertising on charity. Better yet, commit yourself to TV and in other media proves the point: yearlong support of some worthy charitaOur culture promises fulfillment through ble cause by pledging a monthly donation. material things. Finding something to do Be especially supportive of charity your without can remind us that our heart's parish is providing. desire can be filled only by God. Perhaps the best fast is balanced with Go a little deeper. Sometimes the best gift almsgiving. If you choose to give up a we can give to the poor is to work for luxury, take the money you would have justice in society. Keep an eye on local, national and international issues that affect spent and give it to charity. the poor. When there is a chance for you to Receive sacramental Penance. Call it make a difference by writing a letter to the Confession, Reconciliation or Penance, editor of the local newspaper, or a letter to but put this sacrament on your "must" fist your local, state or federal representatives, use it! II for Lent. One of the great things about being a Catholic is that we can admit our John Bookser Feister, managing editor of this guilt and struggles to a priest and experipublication and assistant editor of St. Anthony ence God's forgiveness through this prayerMessenger magazine, has a master's degree in humanities from Xavier University, Cincinnati. ful sign. Those who haven't gone to He is editor oldie book Radical Grace: Daily Confession for a long time may feel Meditations by Richard Rohr (St. Anthony apprehensive. But they also might be Messenger Press). surprised at how helpful most priests are Next How to Read the Resurrection Narratives (by Raymond E. Brown, B.S.) when you speak honestly with them, and
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CIIIZI101)1,11,1I NI RI 1 tirro . nly a little more than a month after we abandoned our New Year's resolutions, the Church offers us a second chance at renewal. As she does every year, the Church sets aside Lent as a special period of prayer, penitence and preparation so we can see where we stand with the Lord—and with the Lord present in those around us. Let this Lent be a time of selfreflection, courage and resolve to get right with God. But as you start this time around, pray especially for the stamina, resolve and virtues needed to keep at it. Don't let this Lent go the way of those New Year's resolutions. The following reflections start from the daily Scripture readings for Lenten liturgy. Use them alone or, better yet, read them with the Scripture each day as your own starting point.
Ash Wednesday: ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE .112:12-18; 2 Cor 5:20-6:2; Mt 6:1-6,
16-18 In today's readings, Joel and Paul each tell us it's time to change. Right now, we have the chance to reform our lives from the inside out. Matthew cautions us, however, that our change must be heartfelt, not just a show so others can see how holy we are. We've got to be real and honest with ourselves this Lent.
Thursday: MAKE CHOICES Dr 30:15-20; Lk 9:22-25 Forget theories in textbooks and case studies. This is it: Now is the moment to take a stand. Are we for good or evil? Eternal life or earthly rewards? Our choice will not be easy to keep, but that's what this Lent must be all about.
Friday: TAKE ACTION Is 58:1-9a; Mt 9:14-15 We usually
think about fasting in terms of what we don't do. But the Church challenges us today to do something: to take action beyond ourselves, to help someone else, to listen instead of talk, to given instead of take, to laugh instead of cry.
Saturday: GET RESULTS Is 58:9-14; Lk 5:27-32 After only three days, we have God's promise of help to improve our attitude adjustment and our initial Lenten choices and actions. In today's Gospel. the tax collector Levi and his friends trusted that Jesus could help them change and to act differently, despite their pasts. Allow God to help you get results, too.
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FIGHT TEMPTATION Mt 4:1-11; Mk 1:12-15; Lk 4:1-13 Sometimes getting what we want puts us into trouble. But no matter how badly we give in to bad choices and separate ourselves from God, Jesus' choices bring us back. Jesus knew that God will give us what we need. All we need to do is stop looking elsewhere and trust in the Lord.
Monday: BE HOLY—IT REALLY COUNTS Lv 19:1-2, 11-18; Mt 25:3146 God's challenge today is to let our actions fit our words. His commands can be summed up this way: Be fair, be good agai our behavi * ben,kind to or with each other (and with God in every human being) will be the standard by which we'll be measured. those around you. When Tuesday: JOIN GODS PLAN Jesus comes Is 55:10-11; Mt 6:7-15 How easy it is to skim over the Our Father because we say and hear it so often. But put Jesus' words into the context of Isaiah's and we understand what underlies both of today's readings. God showers us with gifts so we can share them, use themand move each other a few steps closer to the Kingdom.
this moment once they realized what an insight and gift they'd received. This week, open yourself to see God, as God truly is. in the goodness of people around you. Allow yourself to be transformed.
Monday: TAKE AN HONEST LOOK INSIDE Dn 9:4-10; Lk 6:36-38 Daniel, surrounded by faithlessness, knows where things stand with God. He is under no illusions about human weakness. If we are honest with ourselves, we can realize where we stand with God, too. Spend time today checking how your Lent is proceeding, not in pointing out other people's faults. Only with this attitude can we move ahead.
Tuesday: WALK THE TALK Is 1:10, 16-20; Mt 23:1.12 Isaiah pushes us to get going with good deeds, even if we are not doing well with our Ash Wednesday resolutions. There is an urgency to his words in today's reading which should give us a boost. Jesus tells us we must act and not just talk. Lent must be about real actions, not empty words.
Wednesday: STAY THE COURSE Jer 18:18.20; Mt 20:17-28 Jeremiah the prophet is targeted for persecution precisely because he is following God's path for him. His goodness is met with evil, but he forces himself to continue. The apostles James and John want to follow Jesus, not realizing how much it will cost. We know the road to Easter has to go through Calvary. Can we keep going?
Wednesday: ONCE MORE, TURN AWAY FROM SIN
Thursday: TRW' Jer 17:5-10; Lk 16:19-31 . GOD
Jon 3:1-10; Lk 11:29-32 Last week, we put on ashes and started our Lenten path of repentance. Where have we come in the seven days since then? If you have persisted, keep at it. But if yourLenten resolve passed away when you washed your face, there is stil time to get back on track.
Heat and drought, hungerand poverty are metaphors for hardship, but God's followers know the truth: we must take the bad times with the good in order to reach heaven. That's hard to remember in the middle of trouble, pain and sorrow, but we must keep our eyes fixed on the final prize of heaven.
Thursday: PRAY BOLDLY Ea C:12, 14-14 23-25; Mt 7:7-12 Esther and Jesus tell us to pray boldly and directly to God. Our job is to follow their lead. Are there things we're afraid even to bring before God? Are there emotions and feelings we'd rather not reveal—that we are mad at God or disappointed with the way the world God created is working? We'll find that God already knows what's in our hearts and that we'll feel better for telling God exactly what we hope for.
Friday: CHOOSE WELL Ez 18:21-28; Mt 5:20-26 Ezekiel and Jesus make it very clear that we can choose good or evil. We have the freedom to build up or to destroy. At the end of this week, think more than usual about the choices we make and the consequences that follow.
Saturday: REACH OUT Dr 26:16-19; Mt 5:4348 Today's Gospel is one of those times when we realize that it's tough to follow God and do good. Jesus pulls us forward by asking us to do good to those who hate or harm us. Consider how we can reach for this kind of heavenly perfection with God's grace.
•,' OPEN YOURSELF TO TRANSFORMATION Mt 17:1-9; Mk 9:2-10; Lk 9:28-36 In a flash, Jesus' friends see him 1the Transfiguration. They, too, were transformed by as he really is at _
Friday: WORK THROUGH CONFUSION Gn 37:34, 12-13, 17-28; Mt 21:3343, 45-46 Neither Joseph from Genesis nor the landowners in Jesus' parable get what they deserve, which makes today's readings confusing. What are we to learn from such stories? Maybe the task is simply to keep the faith on days when bad things happen to us that seemunprovoked, undeserved, and unfair
Saturday: ENJOY THE REWARDS OF FAITH Mi 7:14-15, 18-20; Lk 15:1-3, 11.32 After yesterday's uncertainty, today we hear that we can enjoy the fruits of keeping the faith. No matter how much we may go astray, stumble or fail. God is waiting to welcome us home.
DRINK LIVING WATER in 4:4-52; in 2:13-25; Lk 13:1-9 It's easy to take both water and God for granted. In many countries, we have only to reach out and turn a knob for water that is fresh, clean and safe. But wherever we are. God's living water is always available. Jesus offers us a type of water that will go beyond this life, if only we realize it.
Monday: LISTEN FOR GODS PLAN because the prophet does not tell him what he wants to hear. In Luke. the crowd reject Jesus because they don't like the truth he preaches. How often do our expectations get in the way of listening to God, whose plans for us are greater than our own?
Tuesday: SPEAK PLAINLY TO GOD Dn 3:25, 34-43; Mt 18:21-35 Surrounded by danger and despair, God's servants are not afraid to speak plainly to God. Remind God of the promises and love and mercy you have felt in the past. Declare that you need help again, now, during this Lent.
Wednesday: FOLLOW GODS PLAN Di' 4:1, 5-9; Mt 5:17-19 We should obey God's laws. But instead of thinking about this like a list of "do's" and "don'ts," consider them more as guides along God's path. Where, today, can you see God pointing to the unique direction laid out for you?
Thursday: TURN BACK TO GOD ler 7:23-28; Lk 11:14-23 Look at the path you've traveled in your life in general, and during this Lent in particular. Where have you turned away from God? What happened when you did? And what happened when you decided to turn back to God?
Friday: RENEW YOUR COMMITMENT Has 14:2-10; Mk 12:28b-34 The ancient Israelites often turned their backs on God and relied on themselves. Only when they failed did they come back to God, who rewarded them according to their good deeds and not their spiritual stumbling. Jesus tells us that what it takes to come back to God is very simple: Love God and serve each other.
Saturday: PERSEVERE Hos 6:1-6; Lk 18:9-14 We may have stepped back from our Lenten promises to God and ourselves, but we can still start again. God wants us to try, to keep at it, even if the "morning cloud" of our commitment has passed away and we're still far from perfect.
story of a mighty river of life points us toward health in body and spirit. In today's Gospel Jesus gives that health in body and spirit to the man who had been sick for nearly 40 years. Whatever lies in your past, bring it to the Lord without fear, so that Jesus can bring you to the Easter river of life.
Wednesday: KEEP THE FAITH Is 49:8-15: in 5:17-30 Both readings today promise, with urgency and excitement, that a reward is coming soon. God does not forget us, so we must not forget the gift God gives us in Jesus: the gift of Jesus' death and resurrection, which we will soon remember during Holy Week.
Thursday: REMEMBER GODS PROMISES Ex 32:7-14; in 5:31-47 God is more faithful to us than we are to God. The Israelites quickly forgot that God brought them out of Egypt and so they worshiped the golden calf. Some who heard Jesus did not believe that he was the Messiah the Father promised to send. Fight the temptation to have a short memory and to follow God only when things are clear and going our way.
Friday: BELIEVE WHEN rrs HARD TO Wis 2:1, 12-22: Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 It's easy to be angry at God, even to attack Jesus and his teachings. The headlines speak of violence and hatred, leaving us to wonder where God is or how true Jesus' statements are. Today's test is to believe when it's easier to disbelieve and to hold back criticism when all we want to do is cry out, "We followed you and you failed us!"
Saturday: ASK FOR GOD'S PROTECTION ler 11:18-20: in 7:40-53 Jeremiah and Jesus are unfairly accused. They find themselves persecuted when they are innocent and, what seems harder to take, when they are doing God's will. It's difficult to persevere when all we receive is unfair treatment, especially when we are following God's path. Asking God's help seems the only way to keep going. After all, it is God's work we are trying to accomplish.
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OPEN - YOUR EYES 1 1 in 3:14-21; tic 15:1-3, 11-32 As we rush through the in 9:1-41; L day "getti ng things done," we are blind to the beauty around us: , nature, children's play, laughter. Jesus restores sight, light and life : so we2can see with God's eyes, not our own, and know that we are loved despite our sins.
CHOOSE LIFE AND GOODNESS in 1 1:1-45: in 12:20-33; in 8:1-11 God promises the ultimate—life after death—and God delivers. But must we wait for death to have life? If we embrace the gospel today, we can enjoy a measure of heaven on earth.
Monday: EMBRACE YOUR RENEWAL Is 65:17-21; in 4:43-54 What a vision in Isaiah: a better world, an eternity of joy, a life without sorrow and tears. It may seem naïve to think such a world can exist, on earth or in heaven, but how much more preposterous is the idea that Jesus can bring the dead back to life? As we begin this fourth week of Lent, renew your commitment to come back from spiritual death and move toward a heavenly life on earth.
Monday: RESIST SIN Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62; in 8:1-11 Susanna is put in an impossible situation and forced to make an unimaginable decision— adultery or death—yet she brings honor to herself. How might we bring honor to ourselves and to God today, especially when that just doesn't seemdoable?
Tuesday: FOLLOW JESUS TO THE FATHER
Tuesday:STEP UP TOTHE CHALLENGE
Nm 21:4-9; in 8:21-30 Jesus sets our sights higher and further than this world. As we come closer to Holy Week, are we ready to follow Jesus' path of salvation all the way to the Father and the Holy Spirit?
Is 49:1-6; in 13:21-33. 36-38 In today's first reading. Isaiah says something that may hit home with us: He says he thought he had worked in vain. Looking back over this Lent, can we see times where we wanted to quit but didn't—or times when in fact we did give up? At those moments, consider how God was at work—and still is right now, during the most demanding week of the Church's year.
Wednesday: BE FAITHFUL TO THE FATHER Di, 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; in 8:31-42 Shadmch, Meshach and Abednego refuse to worship any god otherthan God, even when condemned to bum in King Nebuchadnezzar's furnace. Jesus reminds his listeners that they must also remain faithful to the Father. The reward for keeping faith with the Father is eternal freedom, but we must keep believing even when it doesn't seem to make sense.
Wednesday: PASS OVER WITH JESUS
Is 50:4-9; Mt 26:14-25 Now is the time to enter into the events of Jesus' passion for which we've prepared. We got ready, with God's help, throughout Lent and God wil not abandon us now. Are we prepared to pass over with Jesus?
Thursday: KEEP YOUR PROMISES Gn 17:3-9; in 8:51-59 God tells Abraham he must keep the divine covenant. Jesus tells us that whoever keeps God's word wil never die. It's not too late to return to Ash Wednesday, to find the promise we made to have a holy and active Lent, and to make good on our word.
Friday:STAY STRONG Jer 20:10-13; in 10:31-42 In today's readings we find both Jeremiah and Jesus surrounded and underassault. But they know that they must remain on their missions because that is where God put them. The good they do glorifies the Father who works through them. May we be as open to God's will and work.
Saturday: IMAGINE GLORY Ez 37:21-28; in 11:45-57 Ezekiel speaks God's promise of a holy, united and peaceful society to come. But we also hear today, in the Gospel, of the plot that will soon take Jesus' life. We have to realize and accept a hard fact: Jesus must die in order for Ezeldel's prophecy to be fulfilled.
Holy Thursday: SERVESOMEONEELSE Ex 12:1-8, 11-14; 1 Cor 11:23-26; in 13:1-15 Incredibly, despite our sinfulnes and lack of faith and resolve, Jesus still acts as a slave for each of us. He performs even the most menial task to show his love. Today, turn to someone in your world—a family member, a friend (or foe), a co-worker—and perform a simple act of service to share God's love for you.
Good Friday: SURRENDER Is 52:13-53:12; Heb 4:14-16, 5:7-9; in 18:1-19:42 Today's events can easily confuse, even anger us. Jesus did everything his Father asked of him, but he must do more: He must die. We may not understand the world or God; we may read the news headlines and be certain evil has won. It is precisely at these times, when we understand the least, that it is hardest to take the leap of faith and surrender to God's plan for each of us.
Easter Vigil: REJOICE Mt 28:1-10; Mk 16:1-7; Lk 24:1-12 We're asked today to believe the unimaginable: Jesus died and is alive. But we don't have to understand how or why. We need only to enjoy the life of renewal that God gives us and to be amazed, yet again, how God continues to surprise us. Christopher M. Delano, Ph.D., is academic editor of Paulist Press. He is the author of Lost and Found Catholics: Voices of Vatican II (St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1999) and Renewing Christianity: A History of Church Reform from Day One to Vatican II (Paulist Press, 200)).
NEU! Customs of Lent (by Lawrence E. Mick)
Mt 26:14-27:66; Mk 14:1-15:47; Lk 22:14-23:56 We hear the Passion story twice this week, so we do not have to wait for Good Friday to think about the cross. Now, with Lent concluding, there is still time to repent, to recommit ourselves and to aim for Easter.
Monday:RESPOND TOGOD'S CALL Is 42:1-7; in 12:1-11 God speaks of a servant who is just and gentle. God calls this servant and says that now is the time for his service. In the Gospel Mary anoints Jesus on the eve of his entrance into Jerusalem. As this Holy Week begins, are we ready to respond to God's call, to live up to our Baptism and Confirmation and to do God's will?
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