Dear Friends,
Week five of Lent has arrived… next Sunday is Palm Sunday and Holy Week! How has it been? This season goes by so quickly, doesn’t it. Whatever our journey has been thus far, today is the day to renew, begin again, or continue persevering on this our Lenten journey. Jesus is with us and when we turn to Him, He lights the way, guides us, strengthens us, and renews us.
And thinking about Jesus renewing us, this week we have scheduled our Easter Confession celebration. THIS Tuesday, March 28 from 4:00 – 5:00 pm and at 7:00 PM, we will have the assistance of many priests available in Church to hear confessions. And they are the nicest priests! There is no prayer service attached. It is just straight confessions. So do not hesitate. Come, because Jesus is waiting to share His mercy and His healing with you in preparation for Easter! And there is no greater gift than that.
Our Gospel passage is the raising of Lazarus from the dead. When Jesus hears that Lazarus is ill, He does not go immediately to visit him. He waits and goes after Lazarus has died. When Jesus does go to Bethany, He raises Lazarus from the dead. We see here not only Jesus’ divinity and power over life and death but also a foreshadowing of His own resurrection and definite victory over sin and death for all of us. Confession gives us a participation in this victory. As we humbly acknowledge our sinfulness, our weaknesses, we open ourselves to God’s mercy, healing, and divine life. How blessed we are in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior!
May these remaining days of our Lenten pilgrimage be filled with grace and joy through our continued prayers, fasting, and almsgiving as we seek the things from above.
God bless you, God love you,
Monsignor McCulken
