Dear friends,

This will be the last week of these additional scriptural commentaries that I’ve been doing in trying to tie the weeks of Lent together.  Next Sunday is Palm Sunday with the usual reading of the Passion which must always been seen as a summary of the events of Holy Week, remembering Jesus’ historical passion and death.  But before that, some nitty-gritty items.

Once again, please accept the Lord’s invitation to receive His mercy and healing.  We are all in need of that, even if we tell ourselves otherwise.
As I mentioned last week, one of the most moving testimonies I heard after our last Journey Retreat (teenagers preparing for Confirmation) was about the impact of the Sacrament of Reconciliation for a retreatant who had not been to the Sacrament since 2nd grade.  As teenagers going through the ups and downs of growing up, the Sacrament can be a source of comfort and hope, that they are not abandoned by God, but loved, accepted and strengthened by Him.  But come to think of it, don’t we adults experience ups and downs in our lives and don’t we need the same reassurance?  I think so.  COME TO THE SACRAMENT THIS YEAR, and don’t worry about getting it right.  Check the schedule and make a time to come to confession. 

I put a plug in once again to make HOLY WEEK holy.  I’ve reflected in the past how we Catholics have lost a sense of the sacredness of this week.  Society, in the workplace, the schools, and in recreational activities, has led us to forget the significance of this week, especially Good Friday.  I’m not suggesting a return to the past, but I am suggesting that every family find a way to reverence the day on which we remember Jesus’ actual physical suffering and death for us.  We joyfully celebrate God’s love for us but we should also dutifully pay reverence to His suffering for us, and once a year should not be too much to ask. 

Thanks to all who came out to Mass this past weekend, struggling through all the detours, prayer by candlelight (how little light a candle really produces), barely audible portable sound system (when it was even working).  This whole week has been some experience and one that I wouldn’t want to repeat too soon.  I hope all have had their power restored by now.

Finally, to the Scripture for today.  On this last Sunday before Holy Week, the theme of last Sunday is repeated.  As with the Prodigal Son, the mercy of God shines forth in this story of the woman caught in sin.  While all others were quick to condemn (the elder son of last week’s Gospel), Jesus stands ready to forgive (as the father of last week’s Gospel).  It is significant that the last two weeks the theme is God’s forgiveness.  Jesus has come to reveal the face of God as one of compassion, forgiveness and healing.  We’ve seen in the Lenten scriptures a word of warning on the temptations that surround us (the 1st Sunday of Lent) and of the power of God’s grace to change us (the 2nd Sunday).  We’ve been warned that the time to change is now (the 3rd Sunday), but that no matter when, God stands ready to forgive, welcome us back, lift us up, embrace us with His love and send us off cleansed and renewed (the 4th Sunday and today).  Do you get the message?

God Bless,
Fr. Ron