Is It Just a Story?

This weekend, we begin the holiest week in the liturgical calendar. As Church, we remember the immensity of God’s love for us. Someone once said that true love entails sacrifice, the giving of oneself for the other. If there is someone who exemplified that kind of love, it is God – our God who was willing to offer His Son for our sake.

The story of Jesus is not simply the greatest story ever told but is the reality of God’s fidelity and devotion to all of us. This week, I invite everyone to not just read the story but ponder it, as well. Listen how God’s love is revealed to you. Imagine yourself in the upper room and Jesus says to you: “Take and eat, this is my body… this is my blood.” What does that mean for you? How does it feel to have your feet washed by Jesus? Go with Jesus into the garden and pray with Him. Look at the agony of Jesus and yet He says: “Your will be done.” As it progresses into the night, there is the kiss of betrayal, the sound of denial as the cock crows. Jesus looks at Peter, not with judgement but with love. Jesus willingly hands Himself over.

The morning comes. You will notice the scourging, the crowning with thorns, the deafening voice of the people: “Crucify Him!” He carries the cross down Via Dolorosa. He meets His sorrowful mother. Imagine that. A mother seeing the anguish of her innocent Son. But even Mary submits to the will of the Father. Then comes the mountain of Calvary. As Jesus is crucified, he says: “Father, forgive them.” Then, he says: “It is finished.” He bows His head and gives up the spirit. Jesus is taken to the tomb, and it is sealed! The silence is even more deafening. We know it does not end here. The cross does not have the final say. Join the whole community as we remember and celebrate how it ends, and yes how it begins anew!

But why did all this happen? Is it just a story? No! Everything happened because of God’s love for you and me.

Holy Week Schedule

Palm Sunday Masses– 5:00PM (Saturday), 8:00AM, 9:30AM, 11:30AM, 6:00PM

Monday- Wednesday -Morning Mass at 8:30AM

Holy Thursday – 8:30AM-Morning Prayer, 7:00PM- Mass of the Lord’s Supper and Washing of the Feet, 8:30PM – 12:00AM – Altar of Repose in the School Gym

Good Friday– 8:30AM Morning Prayer, 12:00PM and 7:00PM Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion, Veneration of the Cross, and Communion, 3:00PM – Stations of the Cross.

Holy Saturday – 8:00PM Easter Vigil and the Celebration of the Easter Sacraments.

Easter Sunday Masses– 8:00AM, 9:30AM, and 11:30AM Easter Mass

On behalf of Fr. John, Mrs. Douthit and the rest of the parish and school staff, I wish you all a Blessed Holy Week!

Fr. Ritche