As I compose this pastor's column on Monday of Holy Week, anticipating the "Great Three Days" of commemorating, in a special way, the "Paschal Mystery", I am also preparing to go to LIttle Rock for the Chrism Mass and will be offering the daily invocation at the Arkansas State House of Representatives. The latter of these takes my mind to one aspect of the Good Friday liturgy that doesn't get that much attention or reflection. While the "Veneration of the Cross" by everyone who participates in this liturgy (communally and individually) is the highlight and is remembered the most by those who are blessed to do it, there is something that happens (or as you read this, recently happened) at the Good Friday liturgy that is both the same as what occurs at every Mass, but somewhat different as well. It is the "Solemn Intercessions" or what is popularly know as the "Prayer of the Faithful" that is offered up to God after the homily (and at Sunday Masses, after the "Profession of Faith"). The Solemn Intercessions on Good Friday (unlike the ones we normally offer at Mass), give us a set number (ten) and focus on who and/or what we are praying for. In this case, the entire Church throughout the world is lifting up its communal voice to God for the following: the Holy Church, the pope, for all orders and degrees of the faithful, for catechumens (who will be baptized at the Easter Vigil), for the unity of Christians, for the Jewish people, for those who do not believe in Christ, for those who do not believe in God, for those in public office, and finally for those in tribulation. These, when taken together, include prayers for many people from those within the Church and those outside the community of the Church. I wish I had the time and space to comment upon each of these. Since I don't, I ask you, going forward, to reflect on these, save them and lift them up to the Lord in your prayer time every day. While some these ten intentions are prayed for in every Mass, some are rarely , if ever, prayed for (except by the whole Church on Good Friday). These others are certainly worthy of and need our prayers throughout the year, expecially those who do not yet know God and his Son, Jesus Christ. As we enter into the glorious Easter season, having gone through the Lenten Season, with it spiritual and corporal disciplines, and renewing our baptismal promises at the Easter Vigil, I pray that we have been so invigorated and renewed in Christ and in who we are as God's adopted children that we all will be more focused on bringing our faith in Christ in word and deed to others, and be one inspriation (through the workings of the Holy Spirit) for people to come to faith in God, and in Jesus Christ and make the choice to be baptized, be welcomed into the Church of God (and for some, our parish community) and live as, hopefully, we all should do, rejoicing in the crucified and risen Lord and what that means for us and all believers in a fulfilling life in this world and life unending with the Lord in his glory.
As you probably know by now (if you've been in this parish during some or all of my almost 13 years as your pastor), I sturggle with the temptation to see the glass "half empty" in more than a few instances instead of seeing and rejoicing when the glass is at least "half full". Unfortunately, in the instance of the upcoming "Easter Triduum" (Holy Thursday evening until Easter Sunday evening) I have to acknowledge that our Church (and most, if not all other Catholic Churches) are not even close to half-full in the number of those seated in the church for the "One" liturgy that is stretched out in three or four gatherings of the "Faithful" over this three day period. It is most certainly and sadly the case that less than half of those who participate in Mass every weekend usually participate in no more than the Easter Sunday Mass. I try,during Lent and at other times of the year, to stress and explain how important the whole of the Triduum is for ALL the baptized (as well as those who are baptized at the Easter Vigil) as it happens in the extended liturgy (at Sacred Heart Church at 6:30 p.m. on Holy thursday, 3:00 p.m. on Good Friday, and 8:30 p.m. on Holy Saturday). For those of you who don't traditionally participate in any of these gatherings, I am, at first, inclined to strongly encourage you to participate in at least one of these and experience a liturgy that is unlike "regular" Mass in more than a number of ways, and which speaks so strongly of what Jesus Christ has done for us through his passion, death, and Resurrection which includes, of course, what he gave to the apostles and to us when he fed them at the Last Supper (and feeds us with His Body and Blood at every Mass). On further reflection, I am going to strongly encourage EVERYONE in our parish to participate in all three gatherings and prepare yourselves to be touched by the Lord in a powerful way. The highpoint, if you didn't know, will be the renewal of our baptismal promises at the Easter Vigil. If you traditionally participate in the church's main liturgical gatherings during the Triduum (see above), consider enhancing your experience by coming to our church on your own to pray (the rosary, the chaplet of diving mercy, and/or the stations of the cross, and read and reflect on the rich scripture readings of the Triduum) and/or join us for the additional opportunities we have for communal prayer in church and "food" gatherings on Holy Thursday (parish meaal) and maybe on Good Friday. I dare say your experience of the Triduum days will have the greatest impact on you spiritually and in your future life in the Lord, if you try to "disconnect" from all worldly activities and routines (including television and computer during the first two days of the Triduum, from Hly Thursday evening until the Vigil on Saturday evening) and make this time a true "retreat" that doesn't take us anywhere except to and from church (refraining or cutting back on secular places and/or activities). While it is true that som many things in our time (diets, sleep, accessories, etc) are "advertised" as being potential "life changers" (and often are not), full participation in the Triduum by any Catholic who makes this time for Jesus, will potentially have their lives changed and/or renewed in the most special and everlasting way! I pray you are included in "many" who do so!!
As I wouldn't want to count on my memory or any of yours when bringing up something that happened in the past (especially many years ago), I would be willing to guess that most of you don't remember when the "Order of Penance" was promulgated in 1973 by the Church for use in Catholic Churches throughout the world. Since I was around 14 years of age then, I had already been taught and used the "Rite of Penance" that most of you also were taught which included "how to begin" our confessions with, "Bless me Father for I have sinned...it has been ______(time) since my last confession and these are my sins." I don't remember my parish at the time (1973 or after) offering instruction and formation on the "New Rite of the Sacrament of Penance" (or as we now normally refer to it as the Sacrament of Reconciliation). I suspect (though I hope not) that your experience how to go to confession over the years has been about the same. I'm excited about the English translation of the revised "Order of Penance" and hope it will lend itself to parishes throughout our country and beyond, updating our Catholics on the "hows" of Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and also explain and offer the other rites that are provided besides "The Order of Reconciling Individual Penitents" (or in laymen's terms how to celebrate individually the Sacrament of Reconciliation).
Many people may be surprised by the emphasis the Church has put since Vatican II on the role of the faith community in the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It says, "The whole Church, as a priestly people, acts in different ways in performing the work of reconciliation which has been entrusted to her by the Lord." (Penance #8"). Bringing out clearly the importance of the faithful gathering together, it says "A common celebration more clearly manifests the ecclesial (the body of Christ) nature of Penance. For the faithful together hear the Word of God, which proclaims the mercy of God and invites them to conversion. At the same time, they examine the conformity of their lives to the same word of God "through a communal examination of conscience assist each other by their mutual prayers." (Penance #22). I hope (and will pray) that we all welcome these "Penitential Celebrations" and participate in them for our own benefit AND that of our entire parish commuinity who are always in need of purification and sanctification. Thusly, we will be even more blessed when humbly availing ourselves individually to the Sacrament of Reconciliation!
Many people may be surprised by the emphasis the Church has put since Vatican II on the role of the faith community in the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It says, "The whole Church, as a priestly people, acts in different ways in performing the work of reconciliation which has been entrusted to her by the Lord." (Penance #8"). Bringing out clearly the importance of the faithful gathering together, it says "A common celebration more clearly manifests the ecclesial (the body of Christ) nature of Penance. For the faithful together hear the Word of God, which proclaims the mercy of God and invites them to conversion. At the same time, they examine the conformity of their lives to the same word of God "through a communal examination of conscience assist each other by their mutual prayers." (Penance #22). I hope (and will pray) that we all welcome these "Penitential Celebrations" and participate in them for our own benefit AND that of our entire parish commuinity who are always in need of purification and sanctification. Thusly, we will be even more blessed when humbly availing ourselves individually to the Sacrament of Reconciliation!