Living as a Disciple of Christ

Tonight during the Liturgy of the Word for Children, Maria Hoffman our presentation leader, was giving the “Children’s Homily” on the Good Shepherd. As usual, the little ones were really attentive.

Now, flocks, folds, shepherd, Jesus, your name, are all words in this reading and Maria made the lesson come alive. She related it to her family and her farm. She explained how each of her children were in charge of a different group of animals and how each animal was recognized and called by name by their caregiver. Jesus said the same thing of us. He knows us personally. We may be members of the whole but God cares for us individually as if no one else matters.

Maria was teaching a lesson to little ones they can take with them throughout their journey through life. She taught them and helped them to see the importance of showing others how much we care by calling them by name. Once a person knows you care enough to know their name they want to be your friend, to believe in you. If you think back I am sure there are special people you remember and I am pretty sure that they called you by name shortly after you met them.

This past week, several people we knew by name left our parish family to become members of the church triumphant for eternity. These members of our family we knew by name. We knew them because they were so involved in our parish and brought others closer to God.

So, how can WE help Jesus increase His flock and listen for His voice? The answer is simple. See each person you meet as a person loved by God and call them by name. Invite them to know God. Introduce them to Jesus. In commercial lingo:  Jesus is a “soft sell.”

God bless you.

Jeanne Schneider, Pastoral Assistant

For Christians Easter is the central feast of our faith. Without Easter the reality of our faith would just be another attempt of man seeking answers for how we came to be and speculation about whether or not there is an afterlife. But we believe that Jesus rose Himself from the dead

It is interesting, however, that this, the most central event in our Christian Faith – the Resurrection – is not described in any of the Gospels. We have careful accounts of so many of Jesus’ miracles, including His raising Lazarus from the dead, yet we have no description of the Resurrection itself. All we have is the account of the empty tomb. Even Mary Magdalene is uncertain as to what the empty tomb really means. She runs to the Apostles and says, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” St. Peter, and the other disciple, run to see the empty tomb. Clearly this was not the work of grave robbers, because the expensive burial linens are still there. The Gospel says they “saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scriptures that He had to rise from the dead.” They had faith and hope.

The apostles had genuine faith. No one had been there, they did not yet understand. Throughout the years theologians have attached many words, descriptions, and reflections which of course are necessary. For us it is more being drawn into the event throughout the Tridium. We go from joy of Palm Sunday, to the experience of elation on Holy Thursday, to sadness and gratitude on Friday, to exhalations on the Easter Vigil. We do understand more 2000 years later. We do have the faith of the apostles but we have additional resources to help us understand what this means in our faith life and daily life .We do have the scriptures and the writings of many theologians to help us today.

I also am reminded of the Resurrection of Jesus when I see faith come to life in a person, a baby coming to church for the first time, a flower coming into bloom and so many, many things in our life today. Have a wonderful and blessed Easter.

We have all heard of “having an aha! moment”.  Well, this past weekend we had an aha experience at each liturgy. We experienced the celebration of Palm Sunday. The Liturgy was amazing. As the children and adults were lining up for the procession I was so moved trying to go back in time to the day they were honoring Jesus. The children sensed it was something special and they were so serious walking in and bowing before the altar. As the children walked in you could see the community engaging in the experience.

For me it was equally as inspiring seeing the various ministries walking in right before the celebrant. All I could think was the thought, “Jesus, see how we continue Your ministry today.” We are truly a parish that encourages discipleship. We could not be there over 2000 years ago but we are here today. This week we will experience the ups and downs of the last days of Jesus. On Thursday we will experience the last Family Meal that Jesus held with His apostles. Although we were not there He gave us the greatest gift we could possibly receive,  Himself over 2000 years later. We believe that  He asked us to make him present today, so that what happened 2,000 years ago will continue to be real in our lives today.

On Friday we will be in the crowd and watching and feeling as Jesus is led to Golgatha. Some see it as the lowest  point of His life but 2000 years later we know in advance that this was also His gift to us, that is, offering Himself to die so that we might live.

On Holy Saturday we wait. Food is blessed which is a wonderful Polish tradition and those who are to become Catholic that night are spiritually preparing for this time.

There is still time to catch up on your Lenten Preparation. Check out this website for  times .

God bless,

Jeanne Schneider

Pastoral Assistant