Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.
“Looking Ahead” is our series of reflections on the daily readings, for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, by Father Perry.
By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor
As we prepare to celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are confronted with the call and necessity to experience our own death and resurrection interiorly.
The Gospel calls us to complete transformation.
The seed must go into the ground and die if it is to produce much fruit.
Even the Gospel for Cycle A used for the Masses with the elect (RCIA) this weekend focuses on death and rising from death in the story of Lazarus.
Empty tombs seem to be the order of the day.
Death will have no more power over us. With Paul, we can ask —
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
We are called to embrace the process of dying within so that new life may emerge.
This, of course, goes far beyond Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
We are Paschal people who embrace this not just for a couple of days, but as a way of life.
Further, we are to model it so that others may discover the power of the cross, and the death and the resurrection in their daily living.
Liturgically and spiritually as a church, we come to these holiest of days to find the fullness of life.
Come to these sacred and powerful liturgies. Make use of the sacraments these days, especially reconciliation — confession.
Let healing, renewal, and emptying of our inner tombs be the order of our day!
Quote of the week |
“The menu is not the meal.” — Alan Watts (1915-1973).
