A man looking a bit downtrodden approached me as I filled my car’s gas tank. He asked, “May I share with you my testimony about how good God is?” “OK,” I skeptically answered. He went on to tell me that he had been an alcoholic and drug addict, and that God had healed him; now he was four years sober. He said, “I didn’t deserve it, but now I’m a different person. God is so good! Have a terrific Tuesday!” A few minutes later, as I drove away, I saw him smiling and handing a homeless person some money. I was confronted with a choice: either he was a total fraud or God had changed him. Something had happened to him, and it didn’t seem fake. Maybe it was God.
When Jesus heals the man born blind, the man becomes a challenge to everyone who meets him. They must decide. Is he the same blind person who they knew before? Who healed him and how? And what is the status of the one who can heal such infirmities? We shouldn’t be surprised at the storm of doubt, hatred and animosity that swirls around the healed man — so it often goes when Jesus heals someone even to this day.
Like we often do, the religious leaders confronting the healed man declare that God is not at work. They ask with mocking superiority and dismissive disdain, “You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?” (John 9:34). And they cast him out. When Jesus clearly works in our lives, in us or around us, we should accept it, and give praise and thanks for this wonderful manifestation of his goodness.
Lenten challenge: Think of one way the Lord has healed you. Perhaps he healed a form of selfishness, a physical ailment, or something else. This week, find a person to whom you can share that testimony, and share it. Don’t worry if they don’t accept it was God who did it. — Father John Muir ©LPi
General Mass Notes
-
Welcome
Welcome to our Eucharistic Celebration on this Fourth Sunday of Lent.
The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and...
Please stand for our procession.
Mass Intentions
Posted the Friday before.
Universal Prayer (Petitions)
A. For the Church, that we may follow the lead of the compassionate father in today’s Gospel and stand ready to welcome anyone who sincerely returns to the practice of the faith, rushing to embrace them with open arms, let us pray to the Lord.
B. For all who have the power to grant clemency or leniency to those who have been found guilty of a crime, that they may act with wisdom, mercy, and good judgment in exercising that privilege, let us pray to the Lord.
C. For those fleeing persecution, trauma, or terrible hardship, that they may find refuge and hospitality in their new home, let us pray to the Lord.
D. That during this Jubilee Year, our parish community may be a beacon of hope to those who have left the Church and are unsure if they will be welcomed back, let us pray to the Lord.
Announcements
1. Due to our first reconciliation of our religious education students there will be no confessions on Wednesday, April 2.
2. We thank Lighthouse Mortuary for sponsoring our bulletin; their information can be found on the last page of our bulletin. If you have a business and would like to sponsor our weekly bulletin, you can call the phone number at the bottom of the last page.
