April 3, 2005 - Divine Mercy Sunday

Today’s Gospel gives us the account of when St. Thomas had great doubts about the Resurrection of Jesus and other circumstances surrounding the Resurrection. We see very shortly in the Gospel how Jesus brings him to believe and gives him the assurances that he needs to follow Christ in this post resurrection period. Jesus tells Thomas that he is now blessed in his belief since he has seen and touched the wounds of Jesus himself. But more importantly for us, He praises us and all like us who have come to believe in the risen Christ without touching the wounds of Jesus ourselves. Thomas spent a great deal of time with Jesus and yet as well as he knew Christ, he was not able to believe easily. This is good for us as well because we ourselves come to believe in Christ and all that He teaches little by little. For some of us it is only through doubt and questioning that we come to greater belief in the things that Jesus and His Church teaches. Every Christian Catholic is not at the same level of belief and growth in Christ but all of us whose lives began in Baptism evolved more and more into mature Christians. The doubt and questioning are put aside by the practice of our faith, knowledge of scripture and nourishment from the Eucharist.

March 27, 2005 - Easter Sunday

Fr. Leo has been telling all of us for years that we are an Easter (Resurrection) People. This resurrection in new life from Jesus is not to be selfishly guarded but to be generously shared and given to all those in need of His life. Especially sharing with the poor and disadvantaged who are deprived of so many things that we take for granted and even waste. Recently as I was contemplating my upcoming surgery, which I knew I needed, I had some time to think about areas in my life that I certainly could have used better or not wasted. In fact I think that was my only fear, that I had lived 69 years and maybe I was not good enough to meet my God. Easter gives all of us a chance to look at the life that is ours in Jesus Christ and to think about what we will do with it. We have only to look at the Cross to know how much our God loves us and to look at His Resurrection to see that it is a promise that he is making to all of us. Let us think about how we might use this life to make all life better not only for ourselves but for all people.

I would also like to wish a very Happy and Blessed Easter to you and your family from all of us here at Immaculate Conception.

I want to thank you all for your many good wishes, cards, phone calls, etc., etc. You are the best.

- Graz -

March 20, 2005 - Sunday of The Lord's Passion

In an Italian opera there is an aria that says, “LE DONNE MOBILE” which means “WOMEN ARE FICKLE.” I think rather it’s best said that people are fickle. The reason I say this is because the people who knew Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, and in today’s Passion want to make him king as he enters Jerusalem, are many of the same people who just a few days later on Thursday and Friday were shouting “CRUCIFY HIM, CRUCIFY HIM.” The people in the Gospel give evidence of this kind of fickleness being so easily swayed by public opinion and a few rabble rousers. The question for you and for me is how often do we forget the good that people do and bounce back and forth in our opinions and judgments like a volley ball? We do our God and ourselves well when we remain constant in our belief in God and our love of all our neighbors.

March 13, 2005 - Fifth Sunday of Lent

This weekend’s Gospel speaks about the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Some people forget that Lazarus was not the first person that Jesus raised from the dead. At a town called Naim he restored to life a young man so that he could take care of his widowed mother. Lazarus was a close friend of Jesus; in fact Jesus visited his family very often when he was in the vicinity. When Jesus first heard of his friend’s death, scripture tells us that Jesus cried and groaned and showed great emotion, however, he did not leave immediately to go to see Lazarus or his family. When He does arrive He is told that Lazarus has already been in the tomb for several days and Jesus seems to be rather calm and composed.

We know from this weekend’s Gospel that He raised Lazarus back to life. This Gospel says to me several things: first, Jesus in his humanity was saddened and pained as are we all at the death of a friend. He had all the human emotions as well as possessing a divine nature; that is Jesus was at once human and divine. Second, the raising of Lazarus (and the young man) was proof that Jesus has power over life and death. It is also an aid in helping all of us to believe in Jesus’ resurrection as well as our own. When Lazarus came forth from the tomb there were many witnesses to that event. Finally, what many also forget is that Lazarus died again since this life is not for us the end but a stepping stone to eternal life after death.

March 6, 2005 - Fourth Sunday of Lent

Whenever kids get bumped, bruised or scraped, moms and dads of all languages and cultures use the universal cure: they kiss the ‘boo-boo’ and say “all better.” It never fails to ease the pain, dry some tears and send the youngster back to play. The Prodigal Son gets caught up in his own selfishness, damaging himself and his family. He feels the effects of his sin and self-consciously returns to his father. He does not expect to be restored to his role as son, but hopes to be accepted as servant. But all his fears are unfounded. The awkwardness of his remorse is bridged by his father’s loving forgiveness. His father’s warm embrace eases the pain, dispels the fear and restores the son to grace. Love restores what sin destroys.

Forgiveness restores balance to our life and the life of others. It erases the effects of sin and hurt, allowing us to begin again. It lifts the burdens that our selfishness imposes, giving everyone a sense of relief and joy. Most importantly, it allows us to be the faithful people we are called to be. The Father forgives us because He loves us.