This weekend’s Gospel is the familiar story of the Prodigal Son. In this story Jesus reveals to us the all encompassing power of God’s forgiveness to anyone who seeks it with a repentant heart.
The message of God’s forgiveness is a powerful one and in this Gospel story we are reminded to continually seek this powerful grace. But there is more to this story than a simple message of recognizing and individually accepting God’s mercy.
The parable given to us by Christ has three main characters: The Father, the prodigal younger son who seeks forgiveness, and the older son who remains steadfast to the will of the father throughout his life.
Part of our life together as church is to seek God’s forgiveness as the younger son does. But also, our life together in Christ is dependent on our ability to emulate Christ for each other and for others in this world. It is therefore, necessary for us to consider the actions of the older son. It is left to our imagination whether or not this older son is able to find it in himself to accept the invitation of the father to join in the party being thrown for his brother.
The prodigal has returned to full life with the father, but has relationship been restored with the older brother? And if the older brother is unable to extend himself in mercy and in love who is truly harmed?
For us too it is important to recognize that we are constantly challenged to see and receive each person just as God does. It is not enough to recognize a person with whom we disagree as a child of God “this son of yours”. In order to truly participate in God’s love and mercy we must recognize each person as a brother or sister to us.
Faith enrichment this week on Wednesday is a special First Eucharist preparation for Second graders and their parents. There will be no Mass on Wednesday evening. Second graders and their parents are to meet in the church at 6:30 PM.
In addition to the regular 4 PM Saturday schedule, the sacrament of reconciliation will be offered on Wednesday March 24th beginning at 6:30. There will be 6 priests on hand to assist us. Seasonal music will be played in the church to enhance our prayer experience.
On Saturday Morning, March (check date with Margaret) at 10:30 we will have a Mass with celebration of the sacrament of anointing. This sacrament is for all who seek forgiveness and healing from the church.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Sacraments of Healing and Reconciliation
While we continue to discuss the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist and prepare our second graders to receive the presence of Christ in this way for the first time, the season of lent is a continuing reminder of God’s healing Mercy.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is our chance to be continually renewed in God’s love and is readily available to all the faithful (at Saint John’s, Saturday afternoons at 4 PM). In this sacrament, we are warmly welcomed home by God the Father, just as the prodigal is in the Gospel.
The season of Lent, the prayers, such as Stations of the Cross and benediction, the Gospel readings, our continued reflection on the passion of Christ, each of these cause us to reflect on our continued need for God’s mercy and God’s healing.
There are two special opportunities for us to experience this outpouring of God’s love in our parish.
We are scheduling a communal penance service for 6:30 PM, Wednesday March 24. This will be an opportunity to individually celebrate the sacrament as the parish gathers for quiet and reflective prayer. Six priests will be on hand to provide the sacrament to all who seek it.
Even if you cannot be here right at 6:30, you can join us at any time. There is no need to stay once you have received the sacrament and spent a sufficient time in prayer. We do ask that people try to arrive no later than 7 PM so that the visiting priests are not waiting around all evening.
This is also an opportunity for those receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time to do so. Simply tell the priest that this is your first time receiving the sacrament. He will coach you.
On Saturday March 20 (that’s next Saturday), at 10 AM we will have a “Healing Mass.” At this Mass we will offer the Sacrament of Anointing to any who seek it. We offer the sacrament especially for those who might have difficulty, for physical reasons, receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Please take advantage of these special opportunities to receive the sacraments of forgiveness and healing as we prepare to celebrate the Paschal mysteries during Holy Week.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is our chance to be continually renewed in God’s love and is readily available to all the faithful (at Saint John’s, Saturday afternoons at 4 PM). In this sacrament, we are warmly welcomed home by God the Father, just as the prodigal is in the Gospel.
The season of Lent, the prayers, such as Stations of the Cross and benediction, the Gospel readings, our continued reflection on the passion of Christ, each of these cause us to reflect on our continued need for God’s mercy and God’s healing.
There are two special opportunities for us to experience this outpouring of God’s love in our parish.
We are scheduling a communal penance service for 6:30 PM, Wednesday March 24. This will be an opportunity to individually celebrate the sacrament as the parish gathers for quiet and reflective prayer. Six priests will be on hand to provide the sacrament to all who seek it.
Even if you cannot be here right at 6:30, you can join us at any time. There is no need to stay once you have received the sacrament and spent a sufficient time in prayer. We do ask that people try to arrive no later than 7 PM so that the visiting priests are not waiting around all evening.
This is also an opportunity for those receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time to do so. Simply tell the priest that this is your first time receiving the sacrament. He will coach you.
On Saturday March 20 (that’s next Saturday), at 10 AM we will have a “Healing Mass.” At this Mass we will offer the Sacrament of Anointing to any who seek it. We offer the sacrament especially for those who might have difficulty, for physical reasons, receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Please take advantage of these special opportunities to receive the sacraments of forgiveness and healing as we prepare to celebrate the Paschal mysteries during Holy Week.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Bulletin Article for Third Sunday in Lent,
The Readings this weekend invite us to reflect on our deeper relationship with God.
In the Exodus reading God first attracts Moses attention with the burning bush but he also challenges him to reverence and awareness of God’s presence, “Remove your sandals for the ground you stand on is holy.” Then God instructs Moses about the role he will play in the salvation history of the Chosen People of God.
The experience of Moses in this reading informs us of what it means to be awestruck in the presence of God. We are not paralyzed with fear. We are rather challenged to ponder the presence of God and seek out the way God works in our lives and in the lives of those we love.
In the Gospel, the gardener prunes and clips and fertilizes the fig tree so that it might bear fruit. These actions, if viewed apart from anything else, might look very violent to the casual observer. But in the loving, careful and respectful hands of the gardener, it becomes clear that the plant is being nurtured and cared for.
Too often, when we encounter a person who either cares for us or is in need of caring, we miss the reality that the encounter transcends ourselves. God gives us these opportunities to give and receive his loving care – the opportunity stand in his presence. “Remove your sandals, for the ground you stand on is holy.”
In March we continue to discuss the Sacraments of our Church with large and small group sessions focused on the Eucharist.
We will celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Wednesday March 17, beginning at 6:30. There will be 6 priests on hand to assist with this celebration. Priests will be available until all are heard.
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