Are You Ready?

Dear Parishioners,

Are you ready? It is here, Holy Week. Do you think you are prepared? Has Lent gone well for you? Have you felt some sacrificial pain at giving up chocolate or Facebook or some TV? Do you feel cleansed at praying more or being more diligent during Mass or engaging more in acts of charity?

Well Holy Week is upon us, and our disciplines of Lent will soon see their goal. Holy Week, the Chrism Mass, Tenebrae, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil, Easter Sunday, these are the mountains that our workout on the hills of our life have prepared us for. These are the high places that the Church holds before us to give our lives light and warmth, mercy and love. These are the remembrances of the life and times of Jesus that are to propel us forward as our life progresses in holiness.

Are you ready? Can you smell the incense? Can you hear the sacred hymns? Can you feel the tears of Christ in the garden? Can you stand with Peter in the cold by the fire denying Christ? Can you be a part of that crowd shouting for his execution? Can you stand at the cross with John and the Blessed Mother Mary and Mary Magdalene when he says it is finished? Can you sense the confusion with the open empty tomb? (Mark 14:1-15:47) What would you think if you heard the word of the man dressed in white, “He is not here, for he has been raised”? (Mark 16:1-7) This next week is the occasion of events that make our lives worthwhile, give meaning to the endless toil in this life, and allow us mere humans to touch upon the life of God. I cannot with words measure the enormity of those events which we will celebrate this week. You better be ready!

Blessings,
Deacon Steve