It is hard to believe that Palm Sunday is here. It seems like yesterday when I was putting ashes on the foreheads of our parishioners and saying, "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return."
On that day, I reminded those attending the Mass that we will one day depart from this world and go before our Judge. The Lord made clear to us what we are called to do in this world. We are to obey His Commandments; that is, to love God and neighbor, to forgive the offenses of others as we wish God to forgive ours, and to be faithful to our spouse, our children, and those who rely upon us. We are called to inspire those whom we meet by our attitude, our faithful witness, and our willingness to "be our brother's keeper". We are in this world not to have the most toys in the end, but to show Christ to others by example. Perhaps someday the elderly lady at the end of your block will see the compassion of Christ through your visits, invitation to family meals - maybe even simple acts like shoveling her walk after a snow storm. Perhaps someday your co-worker will turn to God because of your concern for them, which you displayed by asking how things were going in their life and staying around long enough to actually listen to the response! Maybe your parents will one day tell God how they kept the faith because of the way their children treated them in the last part of their lives.
How are we doing in remembering that one day we will die and meet our judge? How have we used the past six weeks in spiritual, not material, reflection? Even more importantly, how have we come to realize that there are certain aspects of our lives that we truly need to change? Have we used this Lenten season to meet the challenge and change our ways, or at the end of these 40 days do we remain the same people we were on Ash Wednesday? What would you do at work if you were told you had a month to change your work performance or you would need to leave? Would, after a month, you still be doing the same thing? God has given you 40 days to pray, reflect, and understand your need to change certain things. Now He asks each of us, "Are you truly willing to follow me?" It is never too late to take advantage of this new day. If you fall under the above example of having allowed this Lenten season to pass by unheeded - you still have until Easter Sunday to begin! Have a holy and peaceful Holy Week. For those traveling during this time of year, may you and your family have a safe trip and know that you are in our prayers here, at St. James. We will miss you!
As we prepare for the celebration of Easter (and the fact that Jesus broke the chains of sin and death, restoring our hope in the resurrection of the faithful), I would like to celebrate a Mass of Remembrance for those who have suffered the death of a loved one. The Mass will be this Wednesday, April 4 at 8:00pm (Mass is at 8:00pm because of Confessions being heard at 7:00pm) in the Church. We never get over a death of someone very close to us, especially a spouse, child, parent, grandparent or friend, but we all keep moving forward in life, trusting that one day we will see them again when God calls us home to Him. For those who have suffered a loss; I invite you to come and continue the healing of your loss and to fulfill the scripture passage that says: "Pray for the living and the dead." Maybe for some, this is a time to say the things you wanted to say or to seek forgiveness of the one who died. This Mass is a wonderful moment in the privacy of your heart to offer the Mass for things unsaid or unforgiven. What more beautiful way to prepare for the celebration of Easter morning, than by making peace through this Mass with your loved one and with God.
Thank you, to all those who participated in the 40 Hours this past week. Seeing so many of you throughout the day, evening and early morning hours praying before Our Lord was truly inspiring. Thank you to Dan Day, our Director of Music and to all the members of the choir for their help during 40 Hours with their gift of song. I am also thankful for the words of inspiration given to us by Fr. Miller, Fr. Jorge and Fr. Hanley each evening during the 40 Hours celebration.
Fr. Posey
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