As we enter into Palm Sunday with the coming of Holy Week and the Easter Season, we should reflect on our Lenten journey that each of us has made over the last five weeks—intended to grow and strengthen our spiritual life as we seek to progress towards Christ.

Take this journey with us- When we left for Boston on Thursday evening, I was filled with anxiety and anticipation, this being my first mission trip. As we arrived at Hillside Community Church, teens got right to work setting up our sleeping quarters and unloading the bus. The way they worked together immediately reminded me of the community that Christ shared with his disciples. In the evenings, we reflected on our days, sharing where we saw God and praying together.

In this gospel, we have a family waiting in sorrow. Martha and Mary send for Jesus while their brother Lazarus is sick. Jesus delays his arrival and Lazarus dies. Often times we may pray to the Lord for help and it seems like He delays His answer, His help. This waiting, this silence can resonate in our lives of faith too

This year, Peter Pabich was selected as our community’s nominee and he was accepted by Archbishop Coyne to receive the St . Joseph Medal of Appreciation! The ceremony is this Sunday at 2:30 pm at which time Archbishop Christopher Coyne will bestow the Archdiocese’s medal of appreciation, the St. Joseph Medal, on those nominated by their pastors for outstanding service to the parish.

Often I have heard the question, “How late can one arrive to Mass and still receive the Eucharist?” Canon 843.1 notes that Sacred ministers cannot deny the sacraments to those who seek them at appropriate times, are properly disposed, and are not prohibited from receiving them. And Canon 912 notes that “Any baptized person not prohibited by law can and must be admitted to holy Communion

The Samaritan women, Jacob’s well, and Jesus as the gift. This gospel is rich in meaning and symbolism, and offers multiple lessons for our Lenten journey. Are we open to breaking down the barriers—religious and social—that separate us from others? Are we thirsting for living water—that only Christ can give—more than “vitamin” water or some other substitute tonic? And, are we willing to witness to and share our faith boldly for the building up of His Kingdom, so that others may be drawn to Him?

As we enter into the second week of Lent, and as we live in a world that is unforgiving more times than not, the late Pope Francis used to say “God’s mercy is everything. It is in the air we breathe.” He also described God’s mercy as a bridge that connects us to God, “Not one bridge among many, but the bridge between us and God.” We are called to cross that bridge every day receiving God’s mercy and then return over it to offer our mercy to others. How much better would our world—and nation—be if we were a more forgiving people?