Wow, Lent went by quickly and here we are at my favorite week of the year…Holy Week. This afternoon at Mass I will hear the first (of four) reading of the Passion as we celebrate Palm Sunday. I have said this before and I will say it again, this week is not for the faint of faithful, it is a very grueling week religiously. We are called to face the fact that it is because of our sins – past, present and future – that Jesus Christ was crucified and hung from the Cross. I would ask that you all participate in ALL of the services and liturgies prepared for Holy Week. St. Mary Magdalen offers a full week of them if you need somewhere to go. You can do it in person or online at http://www.stmmchurch.com.
Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter Mary today. She couldn’t find a better way to celebrate than to get a hotel room in Jackson MO and watch her sister play some soccer. That’s our Mar’. If you happen to see her today, give her a hug. Mary, and everyone knows this, is my favorite daughter of the oldest children still living at the house. That’s quite an honor. She is also the favored Aunt among the 6 nieces and nephews. She is a beautiful soul and is my primary cantor at 11:30AM Sunday Mass. It was fun last night to be able to sit and talk to her during the soccer game about all things under the sun (it was a beautiful evening with a large moon in the sky and even larger mosquitos buzzing our head). We mainly commented on how nobody wants to take a shot at the goal from outside the goal area anymore. Mary – I speak on behalf of all of us Dorhauer’s when I quote your oldest brother Jerome…”I love you Mary. It’s great joy that you are part of our family.” And if you believe those words came from your brother, well, I got you some ocean front property right here in Ballwin for you to spend your weekends.
Today’s readings are a very good start to get you ready for Holy Week. Be sure to spend time contemplating them today. After reading them, Bishop Barren offers the following question to reflect on.
Reflect: How did the Resurrection turn the scapegoating that Caiaphas supported into the key to our salvation?
Still waiting for the answer to the question that started this whole post today? Barabbas Barabbas was the criminal set free by Pontius Pilate. Instead of choosing Jesus, the crowd shouted “Barabbas” which literally means “son of the father”: “Bar” = son and “abba” = father. (I pulled that from The Loop this morning.)
Do something great for our Lord today (and thru next Sunday) – participate in Holy Week. It is one week of your life that you’ll never say “I can’t get that week back.”
I firmly resolve, with the Help of Thy Grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin.
God’s will, not mine, be done.
Be not afraid; just have faith.
Jesus, I trust in You.
He must increase; I must decrease.
Lord, if You wish, You can make me clean.
But you man of God chose righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience and gentleness. Compete well for the faith.
St. Mary Magdalen Men of God 