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From the Pastor's Desk: March 19, 2023
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From the Pastor’s Desk: March 19, 2023
Today the Church celebrates the Fourth Sunday of Lent. This Sunday is traditionally called "Laetare [lay-TAR-ay] Sunday", the Sunday of rejoicing, as we sang in the entrance antiphon expressing the Church’s joy in anticipation of the Resurrection. The color of vestments changes to rose, and offers a break, in an otherwise penitential season. Not that we should run out and indulge ourselves in whatever we have embraced through prayer, penance, and acts of charity; but it helps us to realize how far we have come in the journey of Lent. Today the Church wishes to remind us that joy is perfectly compatible with acts of penance and self-denial. It is sadness and not penance and self-denial which opposes authentic joy.
“It is well known that there are different degrees of this ‘joy’. Its most noble expression is cheerfulness or ‘happiness’ in its strict sense, when someone at the level of his higher faculties finds satisfaction in the possession of a good which is recognized and loved. All the more reasons then, that such a one should experience spiritual joy and happiness when his/her spirit enters into the possession of God who is known and loved as his/her supreme and immutable good” (Pope Paul VI, Exhortation, Gaudete in Domino, April 9, 1975).
On Monday, March 20th, we begin our Parish Penance Services. For three days Monday-Wednesday at 7:00 pm, we will offer reflections on the three pillars of Lent and celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Christ doesn't want us to experience His forgiveness vaguely, from a distance. He knows we need more than that. He knows that the fullness of joy that comes from a healthy friendship with Him requires a real, tangible experience of confession and forgiveness. This is why confession is sometimes referred to as the sacrament of regained joy. Please make sure to adjust your schedules to participate in this sacrament of God’s love, mercy and forgiveness in preparation for Easter.
On Saturday, March 25th, the Church celebrates the Annunciation of the Lord. This special Solemnity comes nine months before Christmas. The Annunciation reminds us of the unity of the Paschal Mystery: The Passion, Death and Resurrection we will celebrate at Easter finds its beginning here. It is through Mary’s willingness to do the Will of God, she opened the way to salvation, to resurrection, to salvation. In that context it only makes sense to honor her today, while always staying focused on her beloved Child. In our community, we celebrate this Feast together with Annunciation Catholic School. On Thursday, March 23rd, Bishop Pohlmeier will be the main celebrant at the School Mass at 8:30 am. This day we offer our prayers through the intercessions of the Mother of God for Mr. Steve Eiswert– the Principal of the School, teachers, students and staff of Annunciation Catholic School, that they will always follow the example of the Virgin Mother of Jesus to fulfill the Will of God in their lives and will grow in holiness and love for God and one another in building faithfully the Kingdom of God and the school community.
Last Sunday we began the Scrutinies - the final step in the journey to the Easter sacraments for the elect in the RCIA process. The Scrutinies invite to "inspire in the elect a desire for purification and redemption," and instruct them about the mystery of sin and our salvation in Christ. The Scrutinies focus on self-searching and repentance, to uncover areas of sinfulness and strengthen what is good. We pray for all our elect- that the final weeks of preparation for the Easter Vigil will be a time filled with God’s grace, peace and support of the entire community of St. Luke Parish.
Today we experience how Jesus is looking for us to open our eyes, our minds, and our hearts to Himself and His Good News. If in your Lenten journey you experience deeper faith and a closer encounter with Christ- congratulations. If not, begin again today. Try it, one holy moment at a time.
I wish you a blessed week!
With prayers,
Fr. Andy
