“My Father goes on working and so do I”. (John 5:17)
In two weeks, we will be in Holy Week! Each year I make it a practice, sometime during this last part of Lent, to watch Mel Gibson’s great film, “The Passion of the Christ”. I understand that it’s a very graphic film and some people find it too difficult to watch, and that’s really OK, but if it’s not too hard for you, I highly recommend seeing it as a way of helping you enter into Holy Week. You can find it on Netflix and Amazon and other platforms…
All Things Made New
Right in the middle of the film, indicating that it is revealing the central point, the fundamental theme, is the encounter of Jesus with his Mother… Jesus is carrying the cross through the streets of Jerusalem and He falls near to where Mary is awaiting. She runs to Him, as memories of caring for Him as a boy flash through her head. She embraces Him, his body horribly bruised, battered and bloody, and she says to Him, “Here I am”. Their eyes meet in a gaze of love, and He says to her, “Mother, behold I make all things new!” – Clearly, He knows that she is the person who will be able to have some idea of what He means and how He works.
True Healing
We are now in the latter part of Lent, a couple of weeks from Holy Week. It’s a time to look closely at our lives. As you look at your life - now and maybe since the last Easter - how does the Lord want to work: to heal, to lead you and your loved ones to grow, to embrace the New Life He wants for you? The Holy Spirit wants more than easy, superficial fixes… He works through the Paschal Mystery, through challenges, even death. He wants to get to the deeper stuff and to true healing and greater love.
A Mother's Guidance
Our Mother Mary knows that. She wants to be with you to help you and guide you… Especially now, at this part of Lent, as you take up your Rosary and pray each day, throughout the day, she will help you to see how the Lord is working in your life, to make all things new.
- Father Jim's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
- To join the Rosary and Mass Livestream, visit the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday. Consider inviting others to join too! (*If you are not a member of Facebook and a signup window appears, simply select the X at the top of the pop-up message and continue to the livestream.)
