Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Many years ago, I was called out to administer the last rites of the Church to a dying woman.  The husband and the entire family were at her bedside.  Their faces were pale, somber, sad, full of worry.  After administering the sacraments and saying the litany for the dying the husband turned to me and said: “Is it always this hard, Father?”   I fumbled a moment and then said: “Yes, it is.”

Sooner or later each of us experiences the loss of a loved one.   Usually, the closer we are to that person the greater is our grief.  Grief is difficult.  It touches us profoundly.  Yet we hardly know how to describe it.  It hurts, it numbs, it confounds the best of us; it can even feel like fear as C.S. Lewis once wrote.  Even those with great faith can become troubled and wonder why. Why must we suffer so much? Anger is common; and, in my experience, is often directed toward God.   It is no wonder that the sentiments of Psalm 130 genuinely express the feelings of those who grieve: “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication.”

The only response that satisfies comes from Jesus and it is always personal.   Just as He stepped into the lives of Martha and Mary (John 11: 1-45) He steps into our lives when we need Him most. And that moment is now. Just as His presence transformed the souls of Martha and then Mary, He brings to us His consolation, comfort, and finally the hope of the resurrection.  Jesus completely identifies with us in our sorrow.  He weeps with us (John 11:35) but leads us through death to eternal life.   Human explanations always fail, but not the Lord.  In Him we place all our faith, our trust, our love, and then re-discover our sure hope. His Death and Resurrection are real for each of us and for those who go before us.

During these last two weeks of Lent let us follow the Lord in His Passion, Death, and Resurrection.  We offer to Him all our worries, fears, and troubles during this most difficult time.  He will not let us down come what may.  If we die to sin with Him we will rise up with Him now and forever.  He will never abandon us.  After revealing Who He is He asks us: “Do you believe this?”  With Martha we respond: “Yes, Lord.  I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”

Yours in the Immaculate Heart of Mary,

Fr. Mark G. Mazza, Pastor