Losing to Gain

The Gospel message today is beautifully summarized in the final sentence of the St. Francis peace prayer: “It is in giving that we receive, and in dying that we are born to eternal life.” Jesus is the grain of wheat, who by his death and resurrection has produced a rich harvest. Faith assures us that we are part of that harvest! Jesus made it clear in his teaching that he had come: “not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for the many.” (Mark 10:45)

Not only did Jesus talk about his life as a life of total service to God and humanity, but the same is true for all his followers: “The greatest among you will be the one who serves the rest.” (Matthew 20:26)

Jesus teaches us to measure our lives by losses rather than by gains, by sacrifices rather than self-preservation, by time spent for others rather than by time lavished upon ourselves, by love poured out rather than love poured in.

It’s a rule of life; God blesses those who give their lives and resources. (2 Corinthians 9:6) Share the truth you know and God will give you more to give away. Give your time, and you’ll have more time to give. Set no limit on your love and you will have more love for others than you had before.

Prayer

“You, O Holy One, who gaze upon us from the heavens, hide your face no longer. Lean down from your heights. Meet us in our lowliness and in our great need. Let the ones you behold also behold you. When you hear us call, receive our prayer. Open your ear to the cries of your people. Let your face shine on us that we may receive healing just as your exodus people found healing when they gazed upon the bronze serpent. Help us to keep our eyes on Jesus whom you once lifted up on a cross. Just as you sent Jesus so, too, Jesus has sent us. We are lifted up on our own crosses. Teach us to embrace the “lifting up” as we discover that on the other side of the cross is healing. You are the great I Am. Listen to our prayer.”

(Living Faith, March 2007)

Holy Week Schedule

April 5 Palm Sunday

Easter Egg Hunt after 10:30 Mass Rice Bowls are due back

April 7 Tuesday

6:00 PM - Seder dinner

April 9 Holy Thursday

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Confessions

6:00 PM Mass

April 10 Good Friday (Fast & Abstinence)

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Confessions

12:00 PM Stations of the Cross

3:00 PM Passion of the Lord

7:00 PM Tenebrae

April 11 Holy Saturday

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Confessions

8:15 PM Easter Vigil Mass

April 12 Easter Sunday

Masses: 7:00 AM, 8:30 AM (Choir),

10:00 AM (Children), 11:30 AM