Beloved Family,
This weekend, witness two individuals being rescued from the jaws of death! That almost sounds like an advertisement from an old-time circus sideshow. Read on… On the Fifth Sunday of Lent, we enter church to see many of the sacred images covered, as we enter the Passiontide phase of Lent. In this Cycle C year of the Lectionary, the majority of Catholic worshippers will hear the account of “The Woman Caught in Adultery,” drawn from the eighth chapter of Saint John’s gospel. Those assisting at the 11 am Mass here at Saint Mary—at which the OCIA Elect will receive the Third Scrutiny— will take in the account of the “Raising of Lazarus” (John 11: 1-44).
While these are two rather distinct narratives, yet I believe both affirm a common truth: Jesus is the One who liberates us from sin and death— both realities relate to the Fall of Man. Sin, unaddressed, leads to the death of the soul. Without the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ, no one would have access to life eternal. Jesus certainly imparts the mercy of our Father in heaven to the woman who, without his intervention, faces an immediate death sentence. Her physical life is spared. Jesus, however, offers her a serious admonition. We must not gloss over Jesus’ parting words to her: “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”
Let us be clear: whether or not we are caught in the act of sinning, sin is a trap, and sin that goes unrepented will lead to death: not just physical death (which awaits us all) but the death of the soul. What would we think, if we heard that a person was caught in a raging building fire, was rescued by a courageous firefighter, only to have decided to go back into the burning building? I daresay we would count that person very foolish and ungrateful, and perhaps also think the rescue worker wasted his time. Yet, I essentially do that all the time to the Lord. Jesus has not simply “risked” His life to save us— He sacrificed His life to save us. How often have I received His mercy in Confession and “thanked” Him by falling into the same trap again…and again…and again? No wonder that I celebrate Mass essentially every day. Pray that sooner than later, my life will reflect that I actually understand the meaning and the gift offered on the altar and the supreme privilege that is mine—ours— in receiving His Body and Blood.
Please cover in prayer, the ladies who are on retreat this weekend, at Loyola in Clinton. The team has been preparing for months, which means they’ve been working AND the Holy Spirit has been and IS working. Pray also for their families, who probably will experience yet an increase in gratitude for all that wives and mothers do in creating home.
Two weeks ago, we published the banns for Holy Orders for Charles Cairnie, much as we publish the Banns of Matrimony. This weekend, the banns for Deacon James Parisi are printed herein. Banns serve as a public legal notice made in a church proclaiming an intention of entering Marriage or Orders with the object that persons aware of any impediment (something that would render the sacrament invalid) can step forward and voice objection or disclose knowledge.
We rejoice that next Saturday, April 12, beginning at 10 am at the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist in Cleveland, Charles (Chuck) will be ordained to the Transitional Diaconate, along with five other men, for the Diocese of Cleveland. This is truly a joyous occasion for the Church and for the parish. For those unable to make the trip to the cathedral in person, the Mass will be livestreamed via the diocesan website (dioceseofcleveland.org) I encourage us to offer prayer and fasting for these men of faith and their families. Soon-to-be Deacon Charles will be with us for Holy Week, Triduum and Easter. That means a trio of deacons will be in service for those solemn liturgies. Are we blessed or are we blessed?!
Lord, we thank you for calling these men to serve as deacons in your church. We ask that you would empower them for their work, and that you would grant them wisdom and grace as they fulfill their duties. We pray that they would faithfully proclaim your Word, and that they would faithfully serve your people. So, we also pray that they would be men of integrity and godliness, setting an example for all to follow. Bless these men, Lord, and use them to advance your kingdom.
Come, Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Let His Peace be with you,
Fr. Stephen
