“Zeal for your house will consume me.”
JN 2:13-25
The 3rd Sunday of Lent.
The act of cleansing the Temple signalled the new age, the time of the Messiah, when God would be worshipped “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23) because God is spirit and truth. As one commentary noted, Christians have no holy city, no temple, but the risen Christ. Our Lord said, “Destroy this temple (my body) and in three days I will raise it up.” The Risen Christ is henceforth the only Temple. All prayer and worship is “in Christ Jesus.”
I am so joyful to see you back in-person in our churches! Our COVID-19 teams work hard to make you feel safe and at home. Thank you once again for all your help!
In the past few months we have begun meeting online as well – both for ALPHA and our Consecration to St. Joseph! I have been very impressed with our share groups, sharing the faith together! It has been encouraging me on my journey too, especially since we do not have to wear masks. Thank you to all who have signed up!
Stay tuned for more information regarding new ALPHA sessions in the future, as well as a new possible share group once the Consecration to St. Joseph is over. We will determine whether this will be in-person or online via our ZOOM account for our parishes.
As the Gospel reminds us this weekend, everything we do – evangelization, liturgy, leadership – is in the person of God in Our Lord Jesus Christ. This conversation continued during my meeting with the Presbyteral Council last Tuesday – I spoke of this council during my latest interview with Fr. Rob. And we continued the conversation with the Bishop MacDonnell Deanery Meeting this past Tuesday – that is, all English speaking priests and parishes in Alexandria-Cornwall. Fr. Louis Groetelaars, the president of our Deanery, led the brothers in the conversation of how to help people know God better through their local parishes. We discussed all things Sacramental Preparations – Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Reconciliation – as well as preparing already for Holy Week. With the current COVID-19 chaos, there will be many changes to our Holy Week Liturgies. The schedule is now available, and we will once again need to register.
Have a great week! Peace.
