“Whenever I meet someone in need,
it is really Jesus in His most distressing disguise.”
Saint
Theresa of Calcutta
On the fourth Sunday of Lent
Jesus encounters and heals a blind man.
This rather long story is full of many interesting details. For the
purpose of this article, I would like to focus on the change that transpires
during the course of the story.
In the beginning of the story
Jesus meets a man whom the recorder of the gospel describes as “blind from
birth.” By the end of the story, the man
(whose sight has been restored) sees that Jesus is the Son of Man. The Pharisees, on the other hand, become
blinded to this by ignorance and sinfulness.
Today’s gathering hymn (which
will be sung before the procession) comes from a poem that was originally
written in Gaelic and set to a traditional Irish melody. Be Thou My Vision (#394) is a fitting prayer
as we come to meet God in Word and Sacrament.
The offertory song “Open My Eyes” (#390) is a more modern composition
where we pray that God open our eyes, ears and hearts.
We continue to sing Ricky
Manalo’s “In These Days of Lenten Journey” (#127) as our recessional hymn. Despite our singing verse 4, I encourage you
to look at consider each of the verses which call us to:
·
Reach out to those who are homeless
· Open our eyes to the hungry
·
Open our ears to the weary
·
Call on the Spirit of justice
It’s in this spirit that I share part two of this note.
***
The Archdiocese of Newark has committed to assist
approximately 12-16 household resettle in the Archdiocese. These refugees will be coming from Syria, The
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq and Afghanistan. The initial communication from the
Archdiocese asks for donations of housing supplies (furnishings, kitchen items,
linens etc.) and of course, financial donations.
I’ve been thinking and praying on this for several months
now and hear the Holy Spirit saying, “Bruce, You can do more.”
I’m thinking that 12 -16 parishes of the diocese meet this
need head on by finding the resources to: subsidize the cost of housing, help adults find
employment and navigate things like utilities, transportation and school
systems for one of these families.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m neither mandating nor committing to
do this on behalf of the parish. I’m also not suggesting that we do our own
thing outside of the diocesan effort.
I’m just doing the
math:
a 12-16 families hitting
the immigration jackpot the same as our great-grandparents
___ =c __________________________________________________________________ = c
B 12-16 of the best parishes and communities in
the Archdiocese
If you get the same answer, contact me at b.mauro1@yahoo.com or call the parish
office to be part of our social concerns ministry.
Blessed to be in ministry at St. Mary’s
Bruce
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