Pastor's Pondering 3/26
-
March 27, 2023This week, a few random thoughts…
At a recent meeting with some priests and the bishop we learned from last count only about ten percent of Catholics in Maine are attending Mass on a regular basis. Pre-Covid the numbers were closer to twenty-five percent. Apparently, some Catholics have grown accustomed to watching Mass from the comfort of their living room couch. Others have just gotten out of the habit and will simply need to get back into the swing of things. Of course, there are those who because of compromised health continue to be careful of crowds for the protection of their health. This is true even though stadiums and planes are full and that most things have returned to their pre-covid normal. It would be easy for me to rant and to remind everyone of the obligation to attend Mass every Sunday, but I am sure we all are aware of this obligation. I also assume that if you are reading this you probably picked up the bulletin at Mass. What we all need to do is to encourage our family, friends, and neighbors to come home. We need to let them know how much we miss them and the gifts they bring to our community. We need to explicitly let them know that the Body of Christ is incomplete without them. And for those whose health is compromised, we need to assure them that they are welcome to wear masks and, as much as possible, to social distance.
Next week is “leave the light” on week. This means that there will be extra times to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I encourage everyone to avail themselves of this intimate encounter with Jesus and with His mercy. If it has been a while, if you are afraid, if you think you are unforgiveable, be not afraid, this is a sacrament of healing. While we do indeed need to confess our sins this sacrament, rather than being a moment of judgement or condemnation, is a time for us to be set free from the burden of guilt and the chains of shame. In this sacrament we are given a fresh start and the opportunity to leave behind what binds us so that we can grasp tightly the hand of the one who sets us free to live life to the fullest.
Finally, next Sunday is Palm/Passion Sunday. This marks the beginning of Holy Week. These days are the most sacred of our church calendar. This year, as I do every year, I am inviting, encouraging, begging everyone to make attending the services on these holy days a priority. In these ceremonies we recount and give thanks for the saving work of Jesus Christ. In these ceremonies we see the outpouring of God’s abundant love on a people who, because of sin, do not deserve, but nevertheless receive graces and gifts that restore our dignity and our exalted destiny. Through the recounting of the washing of the apostles feet, the commemoration of the giving of the Eucharist, the retelling of the passion and resurrection of Jesus we experience the lengths to which God will go to reveal his love for us. I for years have called the services of Holy Week the sumptuous celebrations of our salvation and urge all to attend these events. Look for the details in the bulletin and on the parish website and I hope to see you all at these celebrations.
Okay, one last thing and this is just because a good ending and ending that offers hope is always a good thing. I write this on the first day of spring and while there is still snow on the ground, I have already begun to see tulips and daffodils poking their little heads up from the ground, it will not be long until the rebirth of spring has us appreciating the change of seasons and planning our flower and vegetable gardens.