Easter [c]: Acts 10:34, 38-42; Colo 3:1-4; Jn 20:1-18

Easter [c]: Acts 10:34, 38-42; Colo 3:1-4; Jn 20:1-18

Happy Easter! In some parts of the world, people give this greeting. "Christ is risen!" and the response is, "Yes, he is truly risen!" Croatian language says, "Krist uskrsnu!" And the response, "Uistinu uskrsnu!" You do not need to learn Croatian, but I hope you will join me in saying, "Yes, he is truly risen!"

Once upon a time there was a terrible fight in a certain family. The father and the mother had slipped into the habit of low level nastiness with one another and were drifting apart. The children (teenagers) were routinely snarling at one another and at their parents. Sometimes they joined in the mean-spirited exchanges between the parents. No one left the house, there was no divorce or even the talk of divorce -–but there were lots of thoughts about it.

What was once a happy and loving family, as families go, had turned into a battleground in which four armies were fighting, and not taking any prisoners.

Then, the girl teen was in an auto accident in which her car was totaled by a drunken driver. The other three rushed to the hospital and found her in bed, covered with bandages, but able to smile softly. I had one of those near death experiences, she informed them (what self-respecting teen in an auto accident doesn’t have one of them) and God told me we’re a bunch of geeks and we should stop fighting with each other. Now, so they all hugged one another and cried and promised they’d start over again. Now the family had new life and it was Easter.

This is how the disaster on Good Friday turns into Easter.  My prayer is that whatever is happening in your life, whatever is going on in your family - that today you will feel the joy of Christ's resurrection. As we said in the Psalm, "This is the day that Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad."

That joy brings power. We see that strength of joy in Pope Francis. He has captivated people throughout the word because he radiates simplicity and joy. No just Catholics, but other Christians, Jewish people, Muslims and even those with no belief in God sense the strength that come from joy.

Diphtheria once was common in the United States. A tale speaks of a couple having the horror of seeing three of their children die from the foul disease. The parents were the directors of the Sunday school. It fell to them on Easter Sunday to read the Gospel of the Resurrection shortly after their children's death.

There were many tears in the congregation from those knowing of their loss. But the parents never lost their composure. After the Liturgy, a boy said to his father, "Dad, they must really believe in the Resurrection." The father said, "Son, every Christian does." And the boy responded, "But not the way they do, Dad."

We don’t need or let a disaster to happen in our life to become in joy and peace.  God wants us to have joy. He gave us a world that is good and beautiful. And when we made a mess of his creation - war, disease, death - he gave us a new creation - in Christ. We have every reason to rejoice.

Joke:  1) Little Tim was in the garden filling in a hole when his neighbor peered over the fence.
Interested in what the cheeky-faced youngster was up to, he politely asked, "What are you up to there, Tim?"

"My goldfish died," replied Tim tearfully, without looking up, "and I've just buried him."

The neighbor was concerned, "That's an awfully big hole for a goldfish, isn't it?"

Tim patted down the last heap of earth then replied, "That's because he's inside your stupid cat."

Practical Applications: Bloom where you are planted.  Disasters are part of life.  Accept it.  Quarrels in family life are only opinion differences and emotional let outs.  They should not make us separate but make our relationships stronger, if we can have a mind of understanding.  Wherever there is Good Friday, expect an Easter thereafter.

Good Friday [c] Is 52:13-53:12; Heb 4:14-16, 5:7-9; Jn 18:1-19:42

Good Friday [c] Is 52:13-53:12; Heb 4:14-16, 5:7-9; Jn 18:1-19:42

 

Peter looked our one day from heaven and saw Judas coming towards him.  Judas was carrying a small wooden box in his hand.  Peter called out and said, “Judas, where are you going to?” “I am coming to see you”, replied Judas.  Peter said, Judas, you know you are a traitor and betrayer; you sold our master and had him crucified.  What is it you carrying in your hand?  “Come and see”, Judas said.  Peter drew near and Judas opened the wooden box and there was a cock.  Peter asked Judas, “What is this? Judas replied, “Peter, have you forgotten?” At this time the cock in the box crowed, Peter became quiet and Judas said to him: “Can you now remember?” You too are not a good man.  I betrayed our master but you denied him.

The Summary message of Good Friday is that Jesus was condemned, crucified, bled and died.  But behind these scenarios lie what gave him the greatest agony, namely, the denial by those he taught and healed and the deliberate denial and betrayal by Judas and Peter his disciples.  Imagine what Jesus was feeling when Judas walked out that door and darkness fell.  Imagine how he felt, when he looked to Peter to stay by him, and in spite of his earlier promise to do so, declined and denied him.  What a suffering? 

The book of Genesis attributes suffering to sin.  The first man and woman God created lost the happiness. God had intended for them because of their disobedience to God.  The whole first part of the Old Testament, Deuteronomy, Judges, Samuel and Kings and many of the prophets reflects this notion of suffering – that is caused by disobedience to God.  There is some truth in that notion, but it is not the whole story as the Book of Job took issue with the old theology on suffering.  Sometime about 500 years before Christ, the prophet Isaiah gave us a new way of thinking about suffering that it can have a positive purpose – that one person’s suffering can bring blessings to another.  We heard it clearly expressed in today’s first reading from a passage in Isaiah known as the 4^th Servant Song.  Parents make sacrifices for their children, how they have to go through sacrifices for their children, how they love and teach them and discipline them.  “If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the Lord shall be accomplished through him.”

The sufferings of Jesus, however, were a scandal to his followers.  The Messiah was not expected to suffer.  We remember when Jesus tried to warn his disciples that he would “suffer greatly and be killed and would rise again.”  Peter replied, “Heaven forbid, Lord, this will never happen to you.”  Jesus response to Peter is familiar to all of us: “Get behind me, Satan.”

Practical applications: Give comfort and prefer suffering for ourselves.  Like people and prefer to get even dislike.  Grant acceptance and accept rejection by us.  Give love and ready to accept hate.  Give peace and be ready to accept hatred.  And be belonging to Him.

Introduction: Good Friday

Message: Entrusting his life to the Father, Jesus bore our infirmities and obedient unto death, won for us eternal salvation.[today, paschal fast is observed everywhere to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus]

Holy Thursday[c]: Ex 12:1-8,11-14; 1 Cori 11:23-26; Jn 13:1-15

Holy Thursday[c]: Ex 12:1-8,11-14; 1 Cori 11:23-26; Jn 13:1-15

Maundy Thursday (also known as Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great and Holy Thursday, Sheer Thursday and Thursday of Mysteries) is the Christian feast, or holy day, falling on the Thursday before Easter. It commemorates the Maundy and Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles as described in the Canonical gospels. It is the fifth day of Holy Week, and is preceded by Spy Wednesday and followed by Good Friday.

The date is always between 19 March and 22 April inclusive, but these dates fall on different days depending on whether the Gregorian or Julian calendar is used liturgically. The liturgy held on the evening of Maundy Thursday initiates the Easter Triduum, the period which commemorates the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ; this period includes Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and ends on the evening of Easter. The mass or service of worship is normally celebrated in the evening, when Friday begins according to Jewish tradition, as the Last Supper was held on feast of Passover.

Again, I want to welcome you to this very special and very solemn liturgy.  There are many actions only found at this celebration.  We witnessed the presentation of the oils; soon we will have the washing of the feet, and later on the entire congregation will join the procession to the chapel/conference room as we place the Blessed Sacrament in reposition in our own creation of the Garden of Olives.

By presenting the oils that were consecrated at the chrism Mass on Tuesday, we demonstrate our union with the entire Church at the most significant moments of our lives.  The oil of catechumens is put on babies, children and adults coming into the faith as we pray that they be open to the mystery of Christ in their lives.  But this is not just the prayer of our parish, it is the prayer of the Bishop, priests, deacons and the entire diocese when the oil is blessed and sent to the parish to welcome those seeking Baptism.  The oil of the sick also demonstrates that those who are anointed are anointed not just with the prayers of the parish, but with the prayers of the Bishop, priests, deacons and entire diocese for their healing in body and soul.  The sacred chrism reminds us that those who have their status in the Church elevated to full initiation through confirmation or who receive the sacrament of Holy Orders, do so through the prayers of the Bishop, priests, deacons and entire diocese.  The sacraments are never a local event.  They are a celebration of the universal Church.

The washing of the feet is a symbolic action teaching us the demands of the Eucharist.  To be a Eucharistic people, we must reach out and serve others.  Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and then said, “What you have seen me do, you must do.”

Today we remember how Jesus transformed the Jewish Passover into the New Testament Passover.  The Jewish Passover was, in fact, a joint celebration of two ancient thanksgiving celebrations.  The descendants of Abel, who were shepherds, used to lead their sheep from the winter pastures to the summer pastures after the sacrificial offering of a lamb to God.  They called this celebration the “Pass over."  On the other hand, the descendants of Cain, who were farmers, held a harvest festival called the Massoth in which they offered unleavened bread to God as an act of thanksgiving.  The Passover feast of the Israelites (Exodus 12:26-37), was a harmonious combination of these two ancient feasts of thanksgiving, commanded by the Lord God and celebrated yearly by all Israelites to thank God for the miraculous liberation of their ancestors from Egypt and their exodus to the Promised Land.

God the Father spoke of taking a lamb without blemish. As we know, Jesus was the Lamb of God without defect or blemish. [Jn. 1:29; 1 Pet. 1:19] "For our sake God made Jesus to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." [2 Cor. 5:21]  God the Father commanded Moses and His people to eat the lamb. Jesus is the Lamb of God and the Bread of Life. [Jn. 6:35, 48-50] By eating the Bread of Life, the Holy Eucharist, we freely receive the life of Christ that leads to our salvation.  After all, what can be clearer than the words of the Master Himself that St Paul quotes, "This is my body..." and "This is the new covenant in my blood."! Holy Eucharist is considered as a symbol and also re-enactment of passion death and resurrection.

Joke: A young boy was invited to church by one of his friends.  On the way out the door, his mother handed him two dollars.  “One for you, and one for god,” his mother said.  As the boy walked along with his friends, the wind blew his dollars right out of his hand and onto the street.  One of them went right down into the sewer.  “Uh-oh!” the boy said.  “There goes God’s dollar!”

Practical Applications: 1) We are to receive the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist in a worthy manner. To be pleasing to the eyes of God as shining spirits in Christ, we must humble ourselves as Jesus humbled Himself.

2) Let us imitate the self-giving model of Jesus who shares with us his own Body and Blood and who enriches us with his Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist.  It is by sharing our blessings – our talents, time, health and wealth - with others that we become true Disciples of Christ

Introduction: Holy Thursday

Message: Before the feast of Passover, Jesus celebrates the Last Supper in which he gives us his body and blood.

Palm Sunday [C]:Is50: 4-7;Phil 2:6-11; Lk: 22:14-23;56/23:1-49

Palm Sunday [C]:Is50: 4-7;Phil 2:6-11; Lk: 22:14-23;56/23:1-49

On Palm Sunday Christians celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, the week before his death and resurrection. For many Christian churches, Palm Sunday, often referred to as "Passion Sunday," marks the beginning of Holy Week, which concludes on Easter Sunday.

The crowd was enthusiastic.  They waved palms, cried Hosanna, and hailed the Messiah’s entrance into Jerusalem.  As the prophet Zechariah had foretold in the ninth chapter of his Book, the Savior came meek, riding on an ass.  The world was being turned upside down.  The time of the Messiah was here. But he was a very different type of Messiah. He was not a military leader.  He entered the city in a humble way, on a donkey.  He would be driven out of the city in an even lower way, carrying a cross.

We are tempted to consider Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem, but ignore His exit from the city.  It is easy to join in the joyful celebrations of our faith.  We go to Church on Christmas and Easter and leave full of warmth.  We go to confession or receive Communion and feel His love within us.  We present our children for Baptism, Communion and Confirmation, and overflow with love for them and the God who calls them to Himself. We attend a retreat or conference and have a deep experience of the Lord’s presence.  And so we say, “Isn’t it great to be a Catholic?” In these and many other ways we join the crowd welcoming the Messiah into our city, into our lives.

Then we realize that the palms are followed by the passion. And the joy of experiencing the Presence of the Lord is followed by His demand to join Him in the journey of sacrificial love, in the journey up to Calvary.

Joke: At Sunday school they were learning how God created everything, including human beings. Johnny was especially intent when the teacher told him how Eve was created out of one of Adam's ribs.

Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill, and said, "Johnny, what is the matter?"

Johnny responded, "I have pain in my side. I think I'm going to have a wife."

Journey to Calvary is difficult, at times even overwhelming.  And we sometimes misinterpret. We know that we are called to stand apart from the immoral aspects of society.  We know that we are called to be holy.  But we are continually drawn in to join those who don’t for a second care about God.  Certainly they see no relationship between their actions and their own Creator.  They are the vocal majority.  They host the best parties with all the worst elements.  They confuse freedom with licentiousness.  They tell us to abort the child and join the party. They laugh at our decision to care for a special needs child.  “Look at all you are missing,” they say. And we can be overwhelmed by our decision to choose the Lord rather than go along with the crowd.

Practical Applications: 1) Let us become like the humble donkey that carried Jesus by radiating Jesus’ universal love, unconditional forgiveness and sacrificial service in our families, work places and communities. 2) Make a good examination of conscience and join with the helpers of the carrying of the cross for Jesus.

Introduction: Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

Message: Jesus, humbling himself out of love for us, did not shield his face from buffets and spitting, but offered his life on the cross.  He relied on his Father’s love.

Holy Week: 26^th Tuesday: Chrism Mass at Cathedral; 28^th: Holy Thursday of the Lord’s Supper; 29th: Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord; 30th- Holy Saturday: The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night. 31st: Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord.

V Sunday of Lent( c ): Is 43:16-21; Phil 3:8-14; Jn 8:1-11

V Sunday of Lent( c ): Is 43:16-21; Phil 3:8-14; Jn 8:1-11

What was going through her mind?  She was being dragged to the Lord. She had to have been terrified. Certainly these men were going to kill her. The woman was caught in adultery.  Women have been killed for far less. Even in our modern times, women are treated throughout the world as chattel, their lives completely dependent on the will of their fathers, brothers or husbands. Horrible things continue to happen to women in the name of religion.

Another travesty was about to take place, when the woman was brought before the Lord. She certainly expected to die. She must have been panic struck as they threw her before the Lord.

She also must have been ashamed. People were laughing at her.  They treated her like dirt. Perhaps she herself thought she was dirt. If they didn’t kill her, what type of life would she have left? Who would marry her?  Who would give her a place to stay?  Who would have mercy on her? She might as well die.

The better-than-thous of her society, shouted that she had to die.  The Law of Moses demanded it. What would this Jesus say about that?  They were certain that they had him. His hands were tied. This, the Kindest Man to ever live, would have to oppose the Law or agree that she should die.

And through the clamor, she looked up, and saw the Lord looking at her. Compassion for her flowed through him. Nobody cared about her before. The man or men who used her sexually, didn’t care that she was going to die. The leaders of her people didn’t care about her. Her own family probably disowned her. But Jesus cared. 

Then there was the silence. He knelt down and began writing on the ground. Silence. The silence must have been overpowering. Finally, he spoke. “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”  And the sheer dynamism of his voice, the kindness and compassion of his voice, forced her accusers to return to the holes from which they had climbed out.

“There is no one to accuse you. Then, nor shall I. But go and sin no more.”

She left, not just with her life, but with a new dignity. She had been forgiven. She now could embrace a new life.

Tradition holds that the woman was Mary Magdalene. Tradition also holds that Mary Magdalene later became a close follower of the Lord and that this was the Mary who was the first to experience the Resurrection. 

Joke: One Sunday morning, Satan appeared before a small town congregation. Everyone started screaming and running for the front church door, trampling each other in a frantic effort to get away.  Soon, everyone was gone, except for an elderly gentleman who sat calmly. Satan walked up to the man and said, "Don't you know who I am?"  The man replied, "Yep, sure do."  Satan asked, "Aren't you going to run?"  "Nope, sure ain't," said the man.  Perturbed, Satan asked, "Why aren't you afraid of me?"  The man calmly replied, "Being married to your sister for over 48 years."

There are many who will approach the Sacrament of Penance during these remaining days of Lent. Some come to Church regularly, lead good Christian lives, but recognize that they are full of little sins, venial sins that are holding them back. Others have been away from the Lord for a long time. Full of guilt, full of shame, they seek restoration. They seek redemption. All are welcomed back. All receive the compassion of the Lord. All are told, “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and sin no more.”

Practical Implications: We pray today for the conversion of sinners, beginning with ourselves. The time is right for the harvest. This is the time of year, the last weeks of Lent, when many people will be reconsidering their lives, thinking that they can be better, infinitely better than they have been. Pray for the conversion of sinners, starting with ourselves, and extending our prayers to all who are full of guilt, full of shame, afraid to change, and wondering is there any hope of forgiveness for them. 

Introduction: Fifth Sunday of Lent

Message: To the exiles in Babylon, Isaiah foretells a new exodus, when the Lord will lead his people from captivity to freedom.  True freedom is rooted in the person of Jesus, not in observance of the Law.  It is he who challenges us to examine our own hearts before self-righteously judging others.

Saints and events in this week: Eighteenth: Monday: Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop, doctor of the church; Nineteenth: Tuesday: Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Twenty Third: Saturday: Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo, bishop; Twenty Fourth: Sunday: Palm Sunday of the passion of the Lord.

IV Sunday of Lent:(C): Josh5 : 9,10-12; IICor.5 :17-21; Lk15 : 1-3,11-32

IV Sunday of Lent:(C): Josh5 : 9,10-12; IICor.5 :17-21; Lk15 : 1-3,11-32

Exegesis: When we read the parables of Jesus, we need to remind ourselves that they are not accounts of historical events. Rather, they are stories with a spiritual lesson for all times and places. In most cases, these stories are not new to the audience. They are really old, familiar stories, which are much appreciated when they are told well. Jesus tells the stories very well indeed but he also adds a "twist" to the narrative. By telling the story so well he captivates his audience and then, once they are drawn into the story, he surprises them with a spiritual application.

The story in today's gospel about a father and his two sons is an old story, going back at least as far as Esau and Jacob. In this story, the elder son is very dutiful but also rather dull. The younger son, by contrast, is wild and unpredictable but also interesting and attractive. In the classic story, the younger son sows his wild oats but then repents and is welcomed home with joy. The older son resents his father's celebration of his brother's salvation and is rejected. The audience is convinced that justice has been done.

In Luke's parable, however, the focus of attention is on the father and especially on his reaction to the elder son's anger. The twist that Jesus adds to the story is the refusal of the father to reject his elder son who in fact is treated by his father with surprising gentleness. When the audience asked why the story had been changed, as we can assume they did, the reply would be that the father is in reality God, who loves his dull and dutiful children just as much as those who are wild and perhaps a bit more interesting.

Anecdote: Everyone knows the popular story of the conversion of St Augustine of Hippo. As a young man Augustine led a reckless and fun-loving life, like the prodigal son in the parable. He was well known in the brothels of downtown Rome. Then came his conversion and everything changed. The story is told that one day the newly converted Augustine was passing through the part of town in which one of the brothels he used to visit was located and one of his former mistresses spotted him. She came after him calling, “Augustine, Augustine, it’s me!” Augustine took a quick look at his former companion and temptation flooded his soul. Reminding himself of his new status as a Christian, he took to his heels, running and calling back, “It’s not me! It’s not me!” “Whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Joke: 1)A Sunday school class was being quizzed on the prodigal son. The teacher asked one youngster, "Who was sorry when the prodigal son returned home?"

The boy gave it a lot of deep thought, and then said, "The fatter calf."

2) A young boy gained admission into UNILAG. He was so excited that he started squashing his school fees. Unknowingly to him the father just lost his job.

In 1 month, he exhausted all the cash he was given for the semester.

Initially, he didn't want to demand for more money, not to give the parents the impression that he is a prodigal son.

After advice from friends, he decided to send the parents telegraph, since he no money. You remember, the more the words you send, the more you pay. So the boy summarized it. And the telegraph reads:

SON: "Father, Money Required, Classes started, Situation critical, Suicide imminent".

When the father received the telegraph, he wrote:

FATHER: "Son, money unavailable, Classes suspended, Situation more critical, Suicide approved"

Life Implications: 1) Those of us who lead quiet and "responsible" lives may very well fall into the trap of angry, resentful and judgmental attitudes toward others who seem to be "getting away with murder." What we need to ask ourselves is whether we have the kind of love that can understand why others, often less privileged than ourselves, may need both correction and forgiveness. The civil law is concerned almost exclusively with rebellious behavior but, in the parable, it is clear that the sinfulness of the elder son is much more dangerous.

2) When the elder son in the parable says to his father, "your son," (and, by implication, no brother of mine) has done wrong and should be punished, the father gently corrects him with the words, "Your brother" (and not just my son) "was dead and has come to life again." This wayward son has indeed sinned but he has also repented and has paid a price for his sin. Now it is time to rejoice.

3) The clear point is that we dare not ever disown our brothers and sisters, who are all children of God. On the contrary, we must love them and rejoice to see them have a chance to repent and be brought back to life again.

Introduction: Fourth Sunday of Lent

This Sunday is traditionally known as Laetare Sunday, so-called from the first word of the antiphon at the Introit, Laetare (“Rejoice”), taken from the Latin translation of Is 66:10-11, sets a tone of joyful anticipation of the Easter mystery.

Message: Having arrived in the Promised Land, the Hebrews celebrated their deliverance from affliction and distress in the Passover.  Christ, our Passover, has entrusted to us the message of reconciliation: let us forgive one another and celebrate the unconditional and abundant love of God our Father.

III Sunday of Lent:[C] Ex. 3:1-8a, 13-15; I Cor. 10:1-6, 10-12; Lk 13: 1-9

Introduction: All three of today's readings speak of God’s mercy and compassion in disciplining his children by occasional punishment and giving them a second chance in spite of their repeated sins.  Although God’s love for us is constant and consistent, He will not save us without our co-operation.  That is why He invites us during Lent to repent of our sins and to renew our lives by producing fruits of love, compassion, forgiveness, and faithful service.

Citing two tragic events, Jesus exhorts the Jews to repent and reform their lives.  With the parable of the barren fig tree, he also warns them that the merciful God will not put up with them indefinitely. Although God patiently waits for sinners to repent, giving them grace to do so, He will not wait forever.  Time may run out; therefore, timely repentance is necessary.  Hence, a Lent missed is a year lost from the spiritual life.

Anecdote: We experienced devastating natural tragedies in the form of earthquakes in Haiti and Chile in 2010 and as Hurricane Katrina in the U.S. in 2005.  The earthquake in Chile at 3:34 AM on February 27^th measured 8.8 on the Richter scale, killed 279 people, damaged 500,000 homes in six cities and caused an 8.5’ tsunami which flooded nearby islands and coastal areas.  The earthquake in Haiti at 4:53 PM on January 12^th was less strong but more devastating. It killed 230,000 people, injured 300,000 and left a million people homeless, destroying 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings. Hurricane Katrina of  August 2005 was the costliest hurricane and the largest natural disaster up to 2010 in the history of the United States . At least 1,836 people lost their lives in the actual hurricane and in the subsequent floods.  It caused severe destruction along the Gulf coast from central Florida to Texas , much of it due to the storm surge. The most severe loss of life and property damage occurred in New Orleans, Louisiana. The hurricane flooded 80% of the city and large tracts of neighboring parishes for weeks.  It caused damages totaling  $100 billion, eclipsing many times the damage caused  by Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Citing two tragic local incidents in today’s gospel, Jesus exhorts the Jews to repent of their sins and reform their lives so that they may not face the greatest tragedy of eternal damnation.  Such tragedies also illustrate our inability to understand why a merciful God allows such tragic events to occur. Are they His means of disciplining His children?

Joke: A Rabbi, Hindu priest and tele-evangelist are driving through the country when their car breaks down. They walk to a farmhouse and ask the farmer if they can have shelter for the night. He says yes but explains that there is only room enough in the house for two of them; someone will have to sleep in the barn.

The Hindu priest says he will do it and walks out to the barn. A few minutes later there is a knock at the farmhouse door. The farmer opens it and the Hindu is standing there. He explains that there is a cow in the barn and because cows are holy to him he can't sleep in its presence.

The Rabbi hears this and states that he will gladly take his place and leaves. A few minutes later he too returns explaining that there is a pig in the barn and his religion prohibits him from associating with what they consider an unclean animal.

The tele-evangelist says that he'll go sleep in the barn and leaves. A few minutes later there's a knock at the door. The farmer opens it and sees the cow and the pig...

Life Messages: 1) We need to live lives of repentance, because (a) we never know when we will meet a tragedy of our own.  Let us turn to Christ, acknowledge our faults and failings and receive from him mercy, forgiveness and the promise of eternal life.  (b) Repentance helps us in life and in death. It helps us to live as forgiven people, and helps us to face death without fear.   2) We need to be fruitful trees in God’s orchard.  Lent is an ideal time "to dig around and manure" the tree of our life so that it may bring forth fruits of repentance, reconciliation, forgiveness and deepened sensitivity to the feelings of others. 

Introduction: Third Sunday of Lent

Message: From the burning bush, Moses is called by God to lead his people out of slavery into freedom.  The parable of the fig tree speaks, on the one hand, of god’s patience, but of the urgency of the call to conversion, on the other.  Like the Hebrews of old, we too have failed to heed God’s call, thinking ourselves to be self-righteous.

Saints and events in this week: 4-Monday-Saint Casimir; 7-Thursday-Saints Perpetua and Felicity, martyrs; 8-Friday-Saint John of God, religious; 9-Saturday-Saint Frances of Rome, religious;