Holy Week begins today and we should enter this week with reverence, enthusiastically embracing the rituals associated with it. To celebrate Holy Week is, after all, to celebrate who we have become through Christ’s Paschal Mystery. I hope that throughout the season of Lent you have prayed, fasted, and performed works of charity. Lent ends with the beginning of Mass on Holy Thursday.
In today’s Gospel (John 12:20-33), we encounter Jesus in Jerusalem. He knows that the hour has come for him to be glorified. Jesus knows that he is about to die and he knows how it is to happen, as he refers to being “lifted up.” He says, “I will draw everyone to myself,” a fitting reminder to us that Jesus does not give his life only for the sins of a few, but so that all may be offered forgiveness and redemption. Jesus chooses to become that grain of wheat that falls to the ground and dies that it may produce the fruit of salvation for all who believe. He tells us that if we are to serve him, then we must follow him, taking up our crosses and joining him on Mount Calvary – that one day, we may more fully share in his victory.
In today’s Gospel (John 3:14-21), we heard that “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” This is why the crucifix is supposed to be in the sanctuary of every Catholic Church throughout the world. It is the sign of God’s great love for us, despite our sinfulness. God does not promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain (and sometimes even snow!), but he does promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.
Our Lady of Fatima Church has been asked to pray in front of Planned Parenthood on Tuesday, March 16th, 2021. From Wednesday, February 17th thru Sunday, March 28th, 40 Days for Life will lead a focused pro-life effort that consists of: 40 days of prayer & fasting, 40 days of peaceful vigil, 40 days of public witness. Join us in peaceful prayer between 7 am and 7 pm daily at this location: Planned Parenthood abortion mill 701 San Mateo NE in Albuquerque.
Saint Irenaeus, a 2nd century bishop and a Father of the Church, taught that “the glory of God is a person fully alive.” This teaching, as appealing as it might be, leaves us with an important question: “Just what brings a person to be fully alive?” Finding an answer to this question is not difficult, as the answer has been taught by the Church since the beginning. If one wants to truly experience the new and abundant life that Jesus came to give, then one needs to pursue holiness. We find holiness of life by striving to live according to the two great commandments taught by Jesus: loving God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength; and loving our neighbor as ourselves. For the perfect example of holiness, we need only look to Jesus and then pattern our lives on his.
Join Us Virtually for the 70th Annual Brother Mathias St. Patrick’s Day Celebration of Faith and Service Honoring St. Patrick and Founder, Brother Mathias. March 17, 2021, 6:00 PM-8:00 PM. Join us ONLINE at gscnm.org. For more information call 505-249-6416.