Our Mother of Perpetual Help Church March 26, 2017
Ephrata, PA Fourth Sunday of Lent
My Dear Parishioners,
When something goes wrong, when something breaks, when that sure-fire plan goes awry, we demand to know: Who did this to me and why? Am I responsible? We spend a lot of time and energy wondering who is to blame for our misfortunes or tragedies. We play the blame-game.
Unhappy with your life? Blame your parents, family, classmates, neighbors, co-workers, or blame God. Your career going nowhere? Blame the economy, the new immigrants, refugees, the boss, the new woman in your workplace, or the old boys’ network. Your world is falling apart? Blame a political party, or a minority or a religious group of your choice. Blame whatever end of the political spectrum you wish-the conservative right, the liberal left, the apathetic middle. Blame the manufacturer, the sales representative, the administration. Blame the doctors, nurses, the police, the lawyers, the teachers, the coach, the media-they did this to me.Blame the waitress, the driver, the contractor, the principal, the delivery service-it is always their fault.
It seems as though we live by the credo: litigation first, solutions second. We have a strange satisfaction in being able to point our finger at someone else and blame them even though we may have caused our own difficulties or problems. Pointing our finger at others gives us some sort of explanation and offers us some sort of solution. There is some sort of clarity and some sense of security and control in being able to answer the question: Who did this to me and why?
God does not allow us to solve our own or other’s problems through blame. God challenges us to discern in the midst of the darkness of our problems the “light” of God. In God’s vision everything (even the greatest tragedy) can become an occasion in which God’s works can be revealed if we seek resurrection rather than recrimination. We all suffer pain and tragedy-sickness, death, depression, betrayal, separation, loss and so on. We seldom have control over these things. The challenge for us is not to seek someone or something to blame but rather to seek God’s presence in those events and transform them from pain and sorrow into healing and re-birth. Today’s Scripture readings present to us examples of how God’s presence and vision changes difficult situations into “graced” moments. The story of David and the Blind man in today’s readings speak to us of God’s eccentric choices and these stories show us how God is able to change difficult situations into “graced” moments. Both stories remind us that God sees the heart. God chooses and acts differently from the way we do.
In today’s first reading from First Samuel we hear how the prophet Samuel is commissioned by God to choose a successor for King Saul. In spite of all advantages given to him Saul would not accept the truth that kingship in Israel meant service to God and to God’s people. Saul failed at this, serving his own interests instead. For this reason God rejected Saul as king and sends Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint one of the sons of Jesse as the new king of Israel. Initially Samuel relies on appearance to determine which one of Jesse’s sons should be the future king. Samuel is impressed by Jesse’s eldest son Eliab and presumes this would be God’s choice. But it is not. Samuel learns that: “God does not see as man sees; man looks at appearances but the Lord looks at the heart.” Jesse then presents his other sons to Samuel but Samuel does not find a candidate among them-even though they look worthy enough. Finally Jesse presents his youngest-David the “shepherd boy”. It does not occur to Jesse that David might be suitable to be the new king. However God sees in David something more than meets the eye and announces that this young boy is the one. The young shepherd boy is God’s eccentric choice to be the future king of Israel. David is anointed by Samuel and immediately receives the ‘spirit of the Lord”.
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (today’s second reading) talks of light and darkness which is as good a symbol as any to illustrate the meaning of suffering and pain and the problems that come into our daily lives. Paul urges all to live as “children of the light”. His letter states that light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.The differences between light and darkness are frequently subtle and it is often more difficult to choose light than darkness. Sometimes the light of suffering appears as unacceptable as the darkness of self-indulgence.
In today’s Gospel we have another example of God’s eccentric choice, one which confuses the religious leaders of the day: a blind beggar who becomes a theologian. The evangelist John’s beautifully crafted story tells how a blind man comes to faith in Jesus. The blind beggar moves from darkness to light on several levels-physically, intellectually, and spiritually. Jesus’ healing of the blind man becomes a sign to all that Jesus is “the light of the world.” Jesus is the very light that makes God’s work a possibility in our world.
Today’s passage begins with a reflection on the nature of sin spawned by observing a man who was blind from birth. When Jesus’ disciples first see the blind man they presume that his affliction is a result of sin. The disciples give voice to the traditional Jewish understanding of inherited sin, a position that Jesus rejects. They ask Jesus who was to blame for the man’s tragedy and suffering. Jesus replies: “Nobody!” Jesus then informs His disciples that the man was born blind so that God’s work might be revealed in him. Jesus sees that in the blind man (who has always inhabited a world of darkness) will be the one to display the work of God and point to who Jesus really is-“the Light of the world”. Jesus immediately demonstrates this by healing the blind man turning his physical darkness into light.
Although the healing of the man’s physical blindness was instantaneous, his growth in spiritual sight was gradual. He grew from the vague perception of Jesus as simply being a man to boldly proclaiming Jesus as a prophet.And finally turning his back on his lack of paternal support and the hostility of the religious leadership to recognize Jesus (whom he had never actually seen face to face) he claims Jesus to be his Lord and Savior. The blind man really begins to see who Jesus really is as he now focuses on Jesus with the eyes of faith.
While the blind man came to see, the seeing became blinder. The Pharisees saw the same miracle but did not recognize or believe that Jesus was the Savior. The Pharisees met Jesus without really meeting Him. Their spiritual blindness deepened because of their smugness, self-centeredness, and general hardness of heart (qualities that often characterize people who have suffered.) They saw and heard Jesus but they neither saw nor heard that salvation was at hand. They were experts at preaching the word of God to others but they were deaf and blind to the words of the Scriptures they shared with others.
Disappointment, pain, illness and trauma are not retributions from God. These things are part of life; life that is a gift from God. Faith is a matter of finding the spirit and grace of God in the middle of such situations and transforming such suffering into something good and life-giving. Faith is a matter of not playing the blame-game but rather trusting totally in God. As we continue our Lenten Journey let us pray that the love of God becomes more visible in our lives and in our dealings with whatever life challenges us with. May we all find reason for joy and gratitude in the midst of sadness and disappointment. May we all discover the necessary grace to transform our grief into the realization of God’s loving presence in our midst. Let us stop playing the blame-game and turn our Good Friday pain and sorrow into Easter healing and re-birth. Have a blessed and blameless week.
Love & prayers,
Fr. John
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
On Fridays during the Lenten Season we will pray the Children’s Stations of the Cross at 2PM and the traditional Stations at 7PM in the Church. Come out and join us as we walk with Jesus to Calvary.
EASTER TRIDUUM
Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil/Mass constitute the Easter Triduum. These are the 3 highest holy days in the Catholic calendar. We urge every parishioner, wherever you may be on these days, to attend the main service on each day: Mass on Holy Thursday (the Mother of all Masses), the Good Friday Liturgy Service (commemorating Jesus' death), and the Easter Vigil and Mass (celebrating redemption and resurrection.
HOLY THURSDAY – APRIL 13
Tenebrae 9 AM(Latinfor "shadows" or "darkness") is service celebratedon the evening before or early morning ofHoly Thursday,Good Friday, andHoly Saturday, which are the last three days ofHoly Week. The distinctive ceremony of Tenebrae is the gradual extinguishing ofcandleswhile a series of readings andpsalmsischantedor recited.
The Lord’s Supper Mass7:00
GOOD FRIDAY – APRIL 14
Tenebrae 9:00 AM
Liturgy of the Passion 3:00 PM
Stations of the Cross 7:00 PM
HOLY SATURDAY – APRIL 15
Tenebrae 9:00 AM
Easter Basket Blessing Tradition 11 AM
Easter Vigil Mass 8:00 PM
EASTER VIGIL
This Saturday during the Easter Vigil we welcome into full communion with the whole church members of our parish.
The Lord has called them by name from all eternity. You, and all of us, shall be called GOD’S DELIGHT because your God rejoices in you!
We also wish to celebrate all those men and women who over the years have come into full communion with us. May the Holy Spirit always guide them closer to Jesus.
EASTER SUNDAY – APRIL 5
7:30, 9:00, 11:00 masses
LENTEN APPEAL
2017 Bishop’s Annual Lenten Appeal
“I give you an example.” John 13:15
We have begun our Annual Diocesan Lenten Appeal. We need every family/household in our parish to support the Appeal in order that we may meet our assigned assessment figure. Our assessment figure for this year is $104,900. The funds collected for the Lenten Appeal help support the numerous Pastoral, Charitable, Educational, and Spiritual Programs in our diocese (Catholic Charities, Respect Life, Adult Religious Formation, Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Catholic Schools and Religious Education Programs, Prison Ministry, Ministry with Homeless Persons, Ministry with Persons with Disabilities, Ministry with Immigrants, and Evangelization Programs-to name a few.) I hope and pray that everyone would consider supporting the vital important ministries of our diocese by making a pledge and contributing to this year’s Appeal. I also want to express my appreciation and gratitude to those who contributed to the Bishop’s Appeal in previous years. Please note that funds raised during this year’s Appeal that surpass our parish assessment figure will be returned to us and placed in our Parish Saving’s Account. Likewise, if we do not meet our assessment figure, funds will be taken out of our Savings Account to make up the difference. For more information about this year’s Appeal and if you need pledge envelops, please see the display in our Church narthex. May God bless you and your loved ones for your kindness, generosity and support.
Thank You
Fr. John
MEN OF THE DIOCESE OF HARRISBURG
Please save the date of April 1 for the Diocesan Men's Conference at Bishop McDevitt High School, Harrisburg. Theme is: Fools for Christ: Men Called to Glorify God through His Catholic Church.Keynote Speaker is world-renowned Catholic author and speaker, Dr. Peter Kreeft from Boston. His keynote is Seven Reasons Why Everyone Should be Catholic.Bishop Ronald W. Gainer is Principal Celebrant and Homilist for Mass and will also be presenting two workshops on St. Thomas More as a Model for Conscience Formation. There are thirty+ workshop choices over three sessions, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with the Rosary and Benediction, more than 20 Priests available for Confession, plus good music, food, and fellowship. Last year we had 925 men who attended this event. This year we are hoping for 1,000 men.Registration materials are coming soon to your parish. Please join us, and invite a friend or three to come with you! Thank you!
CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY
How do we study a Bible? Where do I start? Who wrote the Bible? Do Catholics study the bible? How can I get more out of the Bible? What does the Church tell us about the Bible and where can I find it? Which book should I read first? Should I read it cover to cover?
In this three-part bible study we examine those questions and more. After this Bible study you will be able to pick up your Bible with confidence by knowing what resources to use to aide your understanding in Sacred Scripture.
“In Sacred Scripture, the Church constantly finds her nourishment and her strength, for she welcomes it not as a human word, but as what it really is, the word of God. In the sacred books, the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly to meet his children, and talks with them.”(CCC,104)
The Biblical Story of the Mass study, starts Monday March 27, at 7 PM in the Bernadine Center. For more information, feel free to contact, Jim Lawson Deacon Candidate 799-0080.
OUR LADY OF FATIMA and the Rosary
100th Anniversary – All Invited
Sr. Lucy, the main visionary at Fatima, was asked: “Was reciting the rosary the main message of Our Lady?”
“No,” she replied. “The main message was sacrifice. Praying the rosary is the aid that we need to strengthen us for sacrifice.”
In spite of the heartwarming story of Fatima and its 3 seers: Lucy, Jacinta and Francisco, and in spite of the equally moving and earlier story of Bernadette at Lourdes, somehow a large section of the Church lost its way regarding the recitation of the rosary.
In her book In Search of Mary (1996) Sally Cunneen tells how, after Vatican II, she retired her rosary to a bureau drawer and more or less forgot about Mary except at Christmas or in times of panic. But as the problems of parenthood overtook her, as she encountered the difficulties of teaching college students about parental communication, and hitting invisible walls, she brought her rosary out again and placed it beside her bed. She felt the beads again and wondered if they could relate to her present-day issues. What she found was that, somehow, the Mary of long ago was reasserting her role in Cunneen’s life.
Unlike Sally Cunneen, too many others simply forgot about the rosary in the bureau drawer.
-Too many others considered the rosary a bygone form of spirituality, a retrograde. Too conservative.
-To many, under the excuse that they didn’t need a rosary or Mary to go to Jesus have stopped praying entirely.
-In his encyclical on the rosary, Pope John – Paul tells us he is writing this letter because there is a “Crisis of the rosary today.”
-Have you experienced the crisis of the rosary?”
Fr. Pat McGarrity, C.SS.R.
MASS INTENTIONS
Monday, March 27
7:00 Aloysis Barry
9:00 George Novotnak
Tuesday, March 28
7:00 Ken Wolfe
9:00
Wednesday, March 29
7:00
9:00AleydaBuitrago
Thursday, March 30
7:00Richard Dieckhaus
9:00Tyrone Reynolds
Friday, March 31
7:00
9:00Mike Kezeik
Saturday, April 1
9:00Elmer Sweitzer
5:00Ted Gottwalt
Sunday, April 2, Fifth Sunday of Lent
7:30 For the Parishioners
9:00Rita Campbell
11:00Brad Roda
IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
We will be publishing the names of your dear loved ones who are seriously ill or injured. We will keep them in the bulletin for one month. After the period of one month their names will be removed. For example, names announced in the bulletin the third week of the month will be removed the third week of the following month. If at that time prayers are still needed, please feel free to contact the parish office, and we will be more than happy to re-publish your loved one’s name.
March 5: Tony Cicero, Jean Givler, Abigail Lowe-Critchfield, Margie Willwerth
March 19: Richard Warner
March 26: Melissa Kurtz, Joann Dever, Bob Sugra
Date / Amount / Needed / Difference3-12-17 / $16,163.02 / $14,326.00 / $1,837.02
YTD / Amount / YTD Needed / Difference
3-12-17 / $516,847.67 / $530,062.00 / ($13,214.33)
Date / Amount / Needed / Difference
3-19-17 / $12,868.30 / $14,326.00 / ($1,457.70)
YTD / Amount / YTD Needed / Difference
3-19-17 / $529,715.97 / $544,388.00 / ($14,672.03)
ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
Both last Sunday’s Gospel of the woman at the well and today’s blind man encounter Jesus and are healed by him. She was healed from her past sins, and he from physical blindness. Both came to believe that Jesus is the Messiah. And both began to witness about him. The difference in these two people lies in the way that the other people responded. The people of Samaria were moved by the woman’s witness and came to believe in Jesus. But many of the people surrounding the blind man closed their hearts and rejected him. He was trapped in the indifference of the people around him. But Jesus lifted them out of their prisons and set them on a new path.We are all stuck in one way or another. Sometimes it’s because of our poor decisions, and sometimes it’s just part of living. But regardless of how you got stuck, Jesus is still reaching out to you. So let him put his arms around you today and lift you up.