A Word from Your Pastor March 27

Dear Parishioners:

All of us thirst for something. The Samaritan Woman was thirsty for water. Jesus’ thirst was for souls. The readings this weekend invite us to get in touch with the longings that are deep in our hearts. What is it that we really want? When we become aware of the deepest aspirations of our hearts, we are ready to enter into true dialogue with God.

The news we hear is not positive. The world is at war and battles are raging in ever new arenas. Natural disasters come upon nations and peoples across the globe. Families struggle in a volatile economy. The Church is in the news with reports of scandals that challenge our trust in one another. We are all so busy about many things and we easily set aside the means available to help us to meet these troubles. Can we renew our hearing of the Good News and our zeal for proclaiming it?

Jesus meets us where we are. He is truly our Savior and our Lord. When we open our hearts to Him, we discover that there is a strength that comes from within, a well that rises up supplying us with Living Water. We also find out that we have something more to offer one another. We are not left to meet life’s burdens on our own.

Can you find some time for Jesus to speak to your heart? This week, we had an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Did you take advantage of it? If you did, congratulations! Now, allow the grace and mercy you received to influence your encounters with others. If you missed the opportunity with the St. Timothy Parish Penance Service, then find another. Lent continues for several weeks and all the parishes in our neighborhood and beyond will have times for the Sacrament. Every Saturday at 4 p.m., our church is open and a priest is waiting for you.

Have you heard the invitation to meet Jesus in the Eucharist through Adoration on Wednesdays? He is on the Altar from the morning Mass until early evening. You will discover a Peace that the world cannot give if you sit in His Presence and pour out your heart to Him.

Do you have a Catholic friend or two with whom you can speak about your Faith? Jesus sent His disciples two by two for a reason. Two or three who gather in His Name make Him present to one another and to the world. If you have a friend like that or if you are part of a group of Catholics that speak at some depth, share your thirst. Tell someone what you are asking God for. Ask for support in your journey. If you don’t yet have a group, start one!


The Year of Prayer: Obsecro te Domine

I BESEECH Thee, most sweet Lord Jesus Christ,
that Thy Passion may be to me power
by which I may be strengthened, protected and defended.
May Thy wounds be to me food and drink
by which I may be nourished, inebriated, and delighted.
May the sprinkling of Thy Blood
be to me an ablution for all my sins.
May Thy death prove for me unfailing life,
and may Thy Cross be to me eternal glory.
In these be my refreshment, joy, health,
and delight of my heart:
Thou who livest and reignest forever. Amen.

Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.

“When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began to occupy himself
totally with preaching the word, testifying to the Jews that the Messiah was Jesus.” (Acts 18:5) Timothy was a companion of Paul and because Paul was connected, he was able to put the young man in touch with others. In this text, we hear about Timothy’s association with Silas. We saw Silas and Timothy left behind in Macedonia while Paul was sent on to Athens to get out of some controversies.

By himself, Paul preached and tried to teach, but he did not have much of a response and he also had to fend for himself. When Silas and Timothy joined him, however, things started looking up. He was able to focus himself on the heart of his message: the long-awaited Messiah is Jesus. He was free to preach the Word without worrying about some more mundane matters. This is part of the gift of Community.

As a witness to St. Timothy’s role, we continue to work together to do what is necessary for all the members of our parish family. Each of us has a role to play. Can we discover our own unique gifts and contribute to the Mission of proclaiming God’s Word and revealing Who Jesus Is as the Christ?

Reflections on the Liturgy: PENITENTIAL ACT, Form B

Priest: Have mercy on us, O Lord.
People: For we have sinned against you.
Priest: Show us, O Lord, your mercy.
People: And grant us your salvation.

Baruch 3:2 is the source for the first part of this form of the Penitential Act:
“Hear, LORD, and have mercy, for you are a merciful God; have mercy on us, who have sinned against you.” This text is from the Greek Bible, the Septuagint, and it is the source for the form that still appears in the Mass: “Kyrie, eleison.”

The latter part comes from Psalm 85:8: “Show us, LORD, your mercy; grant us your salvation.” The word for mercy is hesed, often translated also as “love.” It is the covenant gift that enables us to respond to God as He relates to us.

Many other Scriptures include these expressions of a heart-felt cry for mercy.

Have mercy on us: II Maccabees 2:18; Matthew 9:27, 20:30-31; Luke 17:12-13.

We have sinned against you: Numbers 21:7; Nehemiah 1:5-7; Jeremiah 14:7, 20-21; Judith 7:30.

Show mercy: I Kings 8:50; Sirach 36:11.

Grant salvation: Psalm 118:25.

The new version of this form is a re-translation that does not change the text as the previous translation did. It is not employed very often. But the new translation makes clearer that it is an appropriation of Biblical prayer. God’s own Word supplies our expression of need for His mercy and salvation.