Hunger, Listen, and now, Thirst. These are the words and experiences that have helped us to focus our Lenten journey here at Holy Family so far. The words come from the classic story of Lent that, starting with this third week, presents some options to us as far as Gospel readings are concerned. As you may know, the scripture stories that we hear each weekend are presented in three cycles (A, B & C). The cycles are driven by the opportunity to hear the Jesus story through the lens of Matthew, Mark and Luke. In other words, in each cycle we read from a major portion of a different Gospel. Major portions of the Gospel according to John are proclaimed at special times each year, and also during year B when Mark is read.
This year we are hearing the Gospel according to Matthew, but we always have the option during Lent, regardless of the cycle, to hear three long stories from John that give particular focus to our Candidates and Catechumens preparing for full initiation into our community. The three stories are the Samaritan Woman at the Well, The Man Born Blind and the Raising of Lazarus. They tell powerful stories of conversion and insight, and correspond to insights into the identity of Jesus that we hope our Candidates and Catechumens come to. Special rituals and rites called Scrutinies are built into the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and they give significant spiritual depth to the commitment that we ask the Candidates and Catechumens to make as they move toward full initiation. Each year we all have the opportunity to focus on and join in these Scrutinies ourselves as we journey toward the new life of Easter. The three beautiful stories from John provide a rich background and launching off point for each of us to reflect on thirst, blindness and resurrection, among other things, in our lives.
This weekend we have a special treat as we will hear a young man named Avelito from San Miguel Los Banos in the Diocese of Matanzas, Cuba proclaim the second reading from Romans for us in Spanish via our screens in church during Mass. We taped him proclaiming the reading while standing in front of the church during our recent visit to Cuba. You may recognize the structure from photographs that are on display in our church. We had to take extra time to explain to all of the people there that we have the capability to project the readings on our large screens, and how much we, the people of Holy Family, appreciate the unique vehicle of faith that our screens are and how they enhance our worship experience. Avelito said that he felt like a movie star as he was proclaiming God’s word. He did it in only two takes.
Avelito will proclaim for us the same second reading that Catholics all over the world will hear this weekend, in many languages. I hope that the fact that we will hear it proclaimed in Spanish will help to deepen our bond with our brothers and sisters in Cuba. The passage tells us of a sense of justice and peace that we have gained access to through Jesus Christ. This, at times, may motivate us to boast. Now boasting does not seem like something to aspire to, BUT Paul tells us that grace from faith can urge us to boast in hope for the glory of God. The glory of God is exactly what the Samaritan Woman was led to by her encounter with Jesus Christ, and that glory leads her and all of us towards the promise of eternal life. As we are led along that journey, we must thirst for more. As we gather around dry fonts this Lent, may we thirst for more in prayer, more in charity and more in reNEWal of our faith.
Our hope is that as you hear all three readings, particularly the Gospel, that your thirst for the eternal, life-giving water that only Jesus Christ can give will increase. We hope that you will also see that the people of San Miguel have been experiencing significant thirst for the past 59 years as the institution of their church has been muted by forces beyond their control. Our hope is that you know how much your support will help people like Avelito in his ministry. He focuses on young adult ministry, but he is also very involved with catechizing children in the community. He is an example of so many at San Miguel, and all over Cuba, whose faith has not been diminished even though a church structure or building has deteriorated. Church has been depleted in Cuba, but faith continues to flourish and our support will enrich that process.
In your thirst, please consider a financial donation to this Lenten Social Justice project of ours, and know that your donations will go directly to the people of that community in a manner that is separated from any governmental interference.
Please join us for this year’s Lenten Mission led by Fr. Britto Berchmans. Many of you may know Fr. Britto from his time as an Associate Pastor at St. Anne in Barrington. He is currently the Pastor of St. Paul of the Cross Parish in Park Ridge. Britto is a very entertaining speaker and he uses humor as a significant spiritual tool. I know that you will have your spiritual thirst quenched by attending the Mission this Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at 7 pm in church. The theme of the Mission is “Open Your Hearts to the Lord.” Join us and enrich your Lenten journey.
I want to thank our Knights of Columbus for their hard work in making our fifth annual Gathering such a great success. The Knights carry out many charitable and spiritual endeavors here at Holy Family and on behalf of so many of you who benefit from their generosity. Thank you to Tom Purvin, the current Grand Knight, and all of our Knights of Columbus for your generosity.