Today is the Fifth Sunday of Lent. Holy Week begins next Sunday with Palm Sunday. As stated above we will have are usual two Masses on Palm Sunday. I have invited neighboring churches to be with us at the 10:30 AM Mass. Please be on time at 10:30, so we won’t keep our neighbors waiting. Weather permitting, we will process with palms around the block. The rest of the Holy Week Schedule is listed above.
Save this date: April 24, the Father Tolton Play will be at St. Joe High School at 7 PM.
In our first reading today, God tells the Prophet Jeremiah that he will make a new covenant with his people. “I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” We as Christians see this happening with Baptism.
In our second reading, the Letter to the Hebrews talks about Jesus’ suffering making him perfect. We see his suffering on the cross and can join our suffering to his for the good of the world.
Today’s Gospel also talks about Jesus’ suffering and death. The grain of wheat dies to make a new plant and more wheat. Jesus also says: “And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” We know that Jesus suffered for our sins, but we also know he rose from the dead and said we can do the same if we stay close to him.
Tomorrow, March 19th the Church celebrates St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Joseph was declared Patron of the Universal Church in 1870 by Pope Pius X. He is also patron of workers, carpenters and of fathers. Saint Joseph, pray for us!
Let us continue to pray for peace in the world. Let us also pray for vocations to the church. Let us pray for the sick of the parish. Let us pray that all will come to respect life. Let us pray for one another and for the canonization of Father Tolton.