+Dear St. David Parishioners,
We have just commemorated the most holy days of the Church year – the Sacred Triduum. What do these days teach us?
Holy Thursday – On the night before He died, Jesus gave us a living memorial, the gift of His Body and Blood in the Eucharist. On this most holy night, Jesus also instituted the priesthood. Jesus’ love is so great that He gifts us with Himself in Holy Communion every day. Let us pray that people will join as a community in the Mass each week and also pray for an increase of vocations to the priesthood.
Washing of feet: Jesus humbled Himself as He stooped to wash the feet of His apostles. In this act, Jesus encourages us to serve one another out of love, not out of obligation.
Betrayal of Judas and the denial of Peter: We are weak and sinful human beings and sometimes we really mess up. Judas did not believe in Jesus’ mercy and forgiveness – Peter did. We have an immeasurably loving and forgiving God. Judas took matters into his own hands, rather than repenting and trusting in God. He took his own life. Judas’ death was not the answer. Only God has the power and right to give and take away life. After His resurrection Jesus appeared to Peter and asked him, and He asks each one of us, “Do you love Me?” How we answer Jesus’ invitation of love and encounter can change our lives forever.
Good Friday: The passion narratives help us to recognize the unconditional love that Jesus has for each one of us, despite our sins and shortcomings. Jesus freely suffered to save us individually and all of us collectively from the power of sin. We can contemplate the 14 Stations of the Cross, and let Jesus’ love penetrate our minds, hearts, and souls. “We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You. Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.”
Holy Saturday teaches us holy patience, not an extremely popular virtue for those of us who often want an answer, or something done immediately. Many followers of Jesus thought that His death was the end, but His Mother Mary knew differently. She prayed with the apostles to calm their fears. They hid in the upper room for fear that they too may suffer crucifixion as their Divine Friend Jesus had endured. In the silence of Holy Saturday’s tomb, we wait, and pray, thinking – “What Wondrous Love!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGoypOMLZ9Y
Easter Sunday: Alleluia! Jesus is alive! Rejoice for Jesus has risen from death to new life and offers us eternal life in Him. Jesus literally demonstrates to us that His love is more powerful than any sin. We know and believe deeply that, “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life” (John 3:16). Therefore, let us move away any stones in our lives that keep us from living and loving Jesus as we know we should. We need not be afraid; Jesus’ grace is alive in us. He is the Light of the World! May we rise to living a more committed life with Jesus’ life, love, and peace in us! May the love, joy, and hope of the Resurrected Jesus abide with you and your family today and always!
In Mary’s Immaculate Heart, I am,
Sister Mary