The First Reading , is a hopeful message - God will return and restore His wayward people. The dead will be raised and given a spirit of faithfulness, then prosperity. The people's spirits were dead to God and so they fell into a death of seeing only the world around them.
Let us pray that we see God constantly
before heeding the ways of the world.
 
In Psalms , we consider how the weight of our sins would make us unable to stand before Him. Seeing ourselves in the full light of holiness we would shrivel in shame - but God loves beyond imagining! He asks us only to recognize our sinfulness and want to overcome it - possible only with His aid. He wants to forgive everything and bring us back to Him. Take the first step, cry out to Him for mercy.
 
St. Paul offers a reflection perfect for Lent - reminding us that we need to die to our personal wants, the desires of the flesh.
We need to let the Holy Spirit fill us with His desires - those which leave us fulfilled for more than a passing moment,
but rather brings joy for eternity.
 
This Gospel offers many insights! Jesus knows that He is letting a faith-filled and loving friend die, and that other loyal friends will be plunged into utter grief. They knew Jesus could save Lazarus, but then their hope died with their brother.
Interesting, though, that Jesus had told the parable of the rich man who saw another Lazarus suffering at his gate and was told by Abraham,
"If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded
if someone should rise from the dead.'"
After Lazarus is dead, Jesus arrives, against His Disciples advice who fear for His life. Martha seems to indicate that she knows Jesus could "heal" Lazarus, but hesitates to plainly express that belief. Does Jesus weep for the loss of Lazarus, in empathy for the mourners, or because of the disbelief that those who know Him best?
Re-read this passage and ponder the expressions of belief and disbelief, and Jesus' response to them. In this miracle, those closest to Him do not hear, "Your faith has saved him."
What is God saying to us through this Gospel passage?
AN ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

My Jesus, I believe that You are
present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things and
I desire to receive You into my soul.
 
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.
Mass and all parish, school, and related organizations'
events remain canceled.
Participate remotely in Mass at a link above
Make an Act of Spiritual Communion,
asking Jesus to unite Himself with you during this time when we cannot receive HIs Real Presence in the Eucharist.
Did you hear? There is a St. Corona !
Contrary to recent popular discussion, she is not the patron of pandemics - but every saint seeks to help humanity and will willingly intercede on our behalf.
Interestingly... she is the patron saint of treasure hunters!

How clever is our God! As people sought her intercession for physical healing, what treasure was she inspiring us to hunt?
The treasure that is forever - communion with God!

While we can no longer receive the greatest earthly gift
from God - His Real and Physical Presence in the Eucharist
-let us ask her intercession that
we more fully seek and treasure Communion with Him .
LENTEN SEASON - All events at the parish and school are canceled
In place of Adoration - Spend time in quiet contemplating what message God might be trying to share with you through these events. The button below displays Perpetual Adoration at MarytownChapel in Chicago.

You can embark on the Stations of the Cross at any time - the button below provides a video, and if you scroll down on the page, you can find all the prayers involved. Pray the Stations as a sacrifice for the world!

HOLY WEEK - Plan for how to make this week special in a holy way
April 2 5
New Date: First Communion: Jesus Day Retreat
Newsy Notes
Greetings Parents!
        
         I am not ashamed to say we have not yet fully adapted. Commentators and Pinterest gurus are promoting activities to fill the "long" days. As a parent, even of teens, I'm not finding a lot of free time having everyone home! We're blessed that they 're completing online schooling well on their own. My prayers are with all of those parents filling in as school teachers for children in multiple grades through all of their lessons - while still getting done all that they usually did in a day. May God bless you with an abundance of aid from the angels and just as much patience too!
 
         Then there are those who aren't working, not by choice, and perhaps this time is full of stress, but maybe being parent-teacher is a blessing in both filling hours, presenting a new purpose, and building relationships with your children. The ideas for other activities could be a boon!

          Regardless of the circumstance, we are all now helpless in a situation not experienced for many generations. We were in uncertainty for a time after 9/11, but most of us could continue our jobs. The primary affected areas then were supported by those not impacted as much. Today though, the whole world needs help! It's hard to help even the people in our own community. It is - as many are saying - unprecedented.

           How do we respond? The first answer is always turn to God - but it is most definitely an answer for today! In crisis we turn to Him in prayer and at Mass - but we cannot now attend Mass! What is this? To the secular world, it is a pandemic, and they happen. To those with eyes of faith, we ask of God, "What do you want me to know from this?" Even more so, "What do you want me to do?" There is no question that between income insecurity, illnesses, deaths, and uncertainty of how things will move forward, prayer is an absolute necessity! If we haven't been praying, we MUST begin - no matter how short. We must open the conversation. If we've been casual, we need to get serious!

          There is no question now that while we have tamed much of the world, we are not its masters - that belongs to God. With so much uncertainty, it can be frightening to children (and to us). They need to know that God is in charge, that He has a Plan, and that the Plan is glorious - if only we will cooperate. Suffering happens only because people sin, but growing closer to God in prayer gives purpose and hope. We, and our children, should never yield to despair, because we know that God has got this AND that he loves us beyond comprehension. But for them to fully grow into this awareness, we need to live that reality for them and help them learn to live it themselves.
           
             Hug your children tight and remind them of God's love, power and justice - He is always active for their greatest good and he always cares and comforts his faithful. May God bless you and your families abundantly!

-- Linda Bader, Coordinator of Religious Education

P.S. Did you know... Angels can inspire us through our imagination, planting ideas to help lead us to God. Pay attention to those promptings! The demons can plant impure thoughts, but the holy angels can lead our thoughts to stop us from acting on the evil thoughts. Talk to your guardian angel often so you can better hear when they have life-saving advice!
Here are a few ideas for those looking for something new or different, and a link to the daily Mass readings.
Watch for Holy Week ideas in next week's Parent Teacher Talk.