Cathedral Family,
This weekend continues the great Lenten journey where we meet the Samaritan woman at the well. One of the most famous passages of the New Testament. We see in this mysterious encounter Jesus meets all of humanity in her. She represents sinful man---waiting for the righteousness of God. She is resistant to even speaking with Him, so ashamed of her life….she has had five husbands, and the man she lives with is not her husband. She is an outcast. Depressed. Lonely. Hopeless. It is to her that Jesus approaches and asks her for something. It was unthinkable for a Jewish man to ask of something from a woman not his wife…especially in pubic. It was hot, He was thirsty; however, what He was thirsting for was more than water. He was thirsting for her faith. He wanted to re-unite her for the Kingdom of God.
Do we realize how during Lent—Christ Jesus is searching more for us than we are for Him. All of the opportunities to grow in holiness with greater effort at self-denial, increased prayer, more sacrificial giving for the poor---these are means that Christ comes for us. He wants our heart. He wants us to surrender to His love---much like the Samaritan woman. How is your Lent going? Start over right now if you let it slip---God is still calling!
This weekend we will witness the Scrutiny of the Elect—the fourteen adults in our community who are seeking baptism, confirmation and Holy Eucharist this Easter Vigil. The Scrutiny---to take place at the 10:00 am Mass---is a public prayer to protect the Elect as they seek to put down evil in their life so that Christ may fully live in them through His sacraments. Do we realize we have a grave responsibility in our own life to avoid evil in all its forms and cling fast to Christ. As we pray for our Elect during this season—let us also plan to put away our old self---with a good examination of conscience and going to confession. We do have additional confessions on Monday mornings during Lent from 8:30 am to 10:00 am. We also will have confessions every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. In addition, we will have an extended period of confessions on Saturday, March 28 from 12 noon until 4 pm. We will have several priests available for confessions with the Blessed Sacrament Exposed in the Church for prayer and reflection.
This coming Wednesday, March 11 at 7:00 pm, I will continue my Lenten series---this time reflecting on “The Creed.” We say the Nicene Creed every Sunday and Holy Day. Yet for many of us it is remains a stream of words---that if seen in the proper light---can be an illuminating guide post for our relationship with God and our identity in the Body of Christ, the Church. The Creed is 1,700 years old! Recited by generations of Christians throughout the centuries---the creedal statements are revolutionary and thought provoking. Come and explore this great treasure we hold as followers of Christ—allow new light to be shed on these familiar statements of faith.
Finally, be encouraged. The Lord is in search of your heart. Please try to come to some daily masses. It is an ideal way to allow Him to fill you with heavenly graces that are not temporary.
Like the Woman at well---many are searching for things that do not satisfy. Invite someone else to come with you to our Lenten events.
In Jesus,
Father Christy