FM's Message | Sunday March 17th, 2024

The fifth Sunday of Lent reminds us of the importance of starting over and recognizing that something new must begin. In the readings today, there is a sense that God, in the Hebrew Scriptures, is going in a new direction with the Jewish people. What God has learned; we know too. He needed to change people from the inside out, beginning with their hearts and minds.  It is from there that we make decisions that can affect us forever. Personally speaking, it has taken me several tries to realize that my Lenten observances are not going to change me unless I do them in order to affect some sort of permanent change. For example, I need to admit that my language can be stronger than necessary. Using a “swear jar” and depositing it weekly into the collection allows me to see that I am changing and that is both a habit of the heart and mind. The main place of change is in our hearts. And the change that must come first is believing God is there and wants to be part of all of our lives. Over and over, we see that He wills to help us, even when we sometimes reject his first, second, and even third offer. Eventually, many of us do change, and it is from the heart that we make decisions that may change our lives. If we let the heart inform our minds, as Jesus challenges us to do, it will change what we say and do forever. For example, marrying someone or religious life are two major examples of decisions that are made in the heart. The decision informs the mind and then things change, sometimes radically.

And if we observe carefully, we will see the moment in which the change has affected our behavior and minds. In the Gospel, when the Greeks asked to see Jesus, it was a signal that the time for the final acts of Jesus, i.e., his death and resurrection had arrived. Why? For Jesus, it is a moment that reminds him and all of us that the message of salvation is given to all the world. It is also an opportunity to see that the disciples are recognized in the world and that Jesus can follow through with the work that he was sent to do. On the Israel trip, I was most moved by the Garden of Gethsemane. It is here that he makes the final decision to go through his passion. This has always been a powerful moment for me in reading the passion narratives. It is not his will, yet he is obedient, which reverses the disobedience in the Garden of Eden. It is a new beginning and there is a clear signal from God for him. The whole world is looking for him and still is.

That is our job too. The whole world needs to know what Jesus did and what it means for us. It is our privilege to be invited to share it.

Faith and begorrah, Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all who are celebrating this day of Irish heritage.

There is good news from the Catholic Appeal (We are at 29% of our goal ($14,745) with 29 donors as of 3/4/24). Many thanks to Deb Adair, who gave the annual appeal talk. I think that she presented very well the important support we get from the appeal. Of course, it also works the other way, that is, some of the appeal money goes to support the work of training hospital chaplains, assisting those in need, and supporting the hidden works of charity. Thanks again Deb for your great presentation.

Peace,
Father Murray

Building news. This is a quiet week at the parish from a repair perspective. I do want to advise everyone that the work on the bricks on the outside of the IC church will begin this April. If you are looking at taking pictures of the front to send to your friends, then it may have to wait.

Thanks again to the Knights of Columbus for their work in getting the metal and other clutter out of the churches. We are always looking to create more space by jettisoning those things that no longer are part of our church. It is sometimes wistful and with regret, but we continue forward. If any parishioners looking for sand, we have a ton or two in the basement at St. James.