Fifth Sunday of Lent

My Dear Parishioners,
 
Today we observe the Fifth Sunday of Lent as we gather to celebrate the Lord’s Day. The Scripture texts for this Sunday speak of LIFE and the triumph of life over the forces of death. The Apostle Paul reminds us through his Roman correspondence, “If the Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the One who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit dwelling in you.”  The Holy Spirit, given in the sacraments of baptism and confirmation, brings life to us in this present time and empowers us to offer our lives to God so that we may one day share in heavenly glory.
 
The wonderful story of the Raising of Lazarus from death is the prelude to the Lord Jesus’ triumphal entry into the Holy City of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.  Just outside the city limits in the village of Bethany the Lord comforts the sisters Mary and Martha on the loss of their brother Lazarus. He assures them that their faith will show them that death is defeated when He tells them, “ I am the Resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” This miracle is witnessed by the disciples of Jesus and many more. News of this wonderful event spreads throughout the area which brings great excitement among the people who now welcome the Lord into Jerusalem. Mounting Jesus upon a donkey and throwing their cloaks on the ground in respectful tribute, they cheer him with palms branches and shouts of HOSANNA TO THE SON OF DAVID, BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.
 
In the Eastern Churches, both Catholic and Orthodox, the day before Palm Sunday is known as LAZARUS SATURDAY to commemorate the event which is our Gospel reading for this Sunday. The excitement of life conquering death was present at Bethany nearly two thousand years ago. This same excitement has been felt from that time to the present. As we gather in Rockaway today we can still feel the joy as we recall the words of Jesus, I AM THE RESURRCTION AND THE LIFE.
 
As you can see the statues and crucifix in the church have been covered with purple cloth as per tradition for hundreds of years in the Catholic Church. This is a sign of the somberness of these final days of Lent. The ordo states: “ In the diocese of the United States , the practice of covering crosses and images throughout the church from this Sunday may be observed. Crosses remain covered until the end of the celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday, but images remain covered until the beginning of the Easter Vigil.” The sorrow of Passiontide is made visible in the purple which shrouds the church’s interior.
 
I am happy to announce the appointment of Elmer Maximo and Anne Marie Hopler as members of the Sacred Heart Parish Finance Council. They are two faithful members of the parish who will bring their love for Christ’s Church to this monthly gathering which serves as a consultative body to the pastor.
 
God bless you!
Father Zig