March 2016
Dear Ministers of Praise,
Since we are still celebrating the season of Lent, I would like to share a reflection given by a Redemptorist Priest, Father Francis Gardani of Brooklyn, NY.
Lent is the season we Christians focus on the mystery and power of reconciliation unleashed upon creation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Since it is also the season of final preparation for those soon to be baptized or to profess faith in our Tradition, Lent sharply highlights that to follow the Christ is to follow the path of “holy communion.” So great of God’s hunger for all to live together in this holy communion that He is willing to enter into the very bowels of all the evil that divides us from ourselves, from one another, and yes, from all creatures and creation.
In the face of viciousness, terror and cruelty, Jesus clung to God’s will with His whole being and cried out, “Father, forgive them!”
Praying for both world peace and for forgiveness in our own hearts is essential Lenten practice. The central sacramental ritual that defines our lives, the Eucharist, rests upon our dying to our sins of unforgiveness, rests upon our holy communion with ourselves, one another and all creation. Let us allow it to transfigure us into women and men of God’s justice and peace!
People who have been hurt badly say how difficult it is to forgive. Jesus says: “You shall love your neighbor, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” That is the secret. Make yourself pray for those you have trouble forgiving. The prayer has to wish them well. It has to ask God to bless them. This goes against the grain of our feelings. It is the last thing we want to do. Our feelings want them to hurt as we are hurt. God wants us to pray for those who have hurt us—to wish them well and to ask God to bless them.
We also need to ask God for forgiveness for all the sins that we have committed. Sin separates us from Him. We will have an opportunity to do that this Wednesday, March 3. Please come to the parish Penance Service at 7PM.
I also want to invite you (if your schedule allows) on Saturday, March 5 after the 9AM mass for a video taping as a group to greet Father Val De Vera on his 25th Anniversary of Ordination. There will be a celebration for this special occasion on April 13th. See the bulletin for the announcement. It will also be a chance to meet each other.
Again, thank you for your continued participation to this important ministry.
Yours in Christ,
Ludi Kuan