Divorce rates skyrocketing; adultery rampant; non-married cohabitating couples; children abandoned by their fathers or mothers; “same-sex unions” adopting children and calling this the “modern family”; pornography invading homes, leading to powerful addictions and total alienation from other members of the family: all of this is a bird’s eye view of the family situation in the modern world.
As Americans, this Memorial Day we will remember those who died in the service of our country. But as Catholic Americans, we should also reflect on the meaning of true freedom and thank God for the Church which proclaims the way to the fullness of that freedom. I honor those in my family and yours who paid the ultimate price for the freedom that I have enjoyed as an American. However, I believe that some today have trivialized the meaning of freedom or distorted it beyond recognition. True freedom is much deeper than being able to do what we want.
This weekend and next, our Archdiocese is ordaining new transitional deacons and priests for our Church. It allows me to reflect on the priesthood today and its joys and challenges.
I’ve noticed as a Catholic parish priest, people generally respond to me in two, disparate ways. It is either in generosity and kindness or confrontational and possibly judgmental.
This weekend, we are addressing the Archdiocesan Capital Campaign that we have begun here at Prince of Peace. Every parish of the Archdiocese is participating in this effort and this is now our time.
This weekend we celebrate First Eucharist with the children of our parish. We know, and our Catholic theology has taught that in His constant love, God the Father always intended to save us through Jesus. The Old Testament prefigures and prepares the way for the Eucharist to be the unique way that Jesus would offer us Himself totally so that we can offer ourselves to one another. He is the Passover lamb and the Bread from Heaven.
There is a popular song by Andra Day entitled “Rise Up”. I can’t help but think of it as we celebrate the Resurrection, the rising up of Jesus from the dead. The lyrics could easily be words from our Lord to us and why the resurrection is so important and necessary.
This is it – the holiest week of the year. Only one man could turn a week of betrayal, intrigue and murder into the holiest week of the year. Jesus turns this week into an amazing experience of participating in it all and more – at least that is what is possible if we afford ourselves the time to enter with Him into these days.
We’ve been mentioning it every Sunday since the beginning of Lent and trying to encourage all to receive the beautiful sacrament of Penance before Easter. It is getting closer and closer, and we really need to plan ahead, so whatever might be keeping you away from the grace, let’s kick it away!