Pastor's Letter

The Greatest Love Story Ever Told

Today, once again we hear the greatest story ever told.  It’s the story of the Passion of the Christ.  We call it a story, but it goes a lot deeper than that.
 
First of all, it’s history.  Despite the many efforts to discredit Jesus, the events of the cross and resurrection, and the Church, we will never stop proclaiming what happened—even if people continue to pressure us to keep quiet.  We can’t.
 
Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilot, was crucified, died and was buried.  And now, he’s alive; risen from the dead.  The early followers of Jesus wouldn’t stop proclaiming it—even when it meant being faced with losing their own life. 
 
The martyrs of the Church are perhaps the greatest witnesses to the historical truth.  From the first martyr, Stephen, until today, Christians who are given the chance to denounce Jesus Christ, don’t.  We don’t give our own lives for a great teacher, a great man, a great saint, or a great philosopher.  But we do give our lives for our Lord who sustains us and gives us life through our relationship with him, one that’s meant to last forever.
 
And that’s what makes this story, this history, also a love story.  Jesus Christ went through all he did for each one of us.  His greatest desire is for us to share in the one relationship we’re meant to experience with God.  As Jesus and the Father are one, we all can share in this relationship through the Holy Spirit.
 
Today, the passion narrative will end with Jesus being laid in the tomb.  But, as we know, it’s not the end of the story.  To complete the story, we’re given…
 
…An Open Invitation
Please join us as we celebrate Holy Week, and especially the Triduum: the three holiest days of our year that form one story, one celebration of Jesus’ love for us.
 
On Holy Thursday (7:30 pm) we’ll enter into the evening of the Lord’s Supper to witness the institution of the Eucharist and the model Jesus gave us to serve one another.  Following the Mass, we’ll have time up until midnight to visit Jesus in the garden as we adore his Eucharistic presence in the tabernacle.
 
On Good Friday (3:00 pm) once again we’ll enter into the Passion of our Lord and will venerate the cross—the great icon of faith, hope and love.  At 7:30 pm, we will pray the Stations of the Cross, reliving Christ’s journey to Calvary.
 
At the Easter Vigil (7:30 pm) we’ll experience the joy of the resurrection and the witness that Christ is alive, especially through the lives of those who will be baptized and those receiving the sacraments of initiation for the first time.  It’s the holiest night of the year and the first opportunity to sing the song we’ve been longing to sing all through Lent.  (Hint: it begins with an “A”!)
 
If you’ve never experienced the Triduum—these three holy days—please consider it.  It’s a remarkable experience that confirms that what Jesus did for us truly is the greatest love story ever told!   
 
--Fr. Mike