Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
Hot Springs Village, Arkansas
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Click here for information on the Knights of Columbus Charity Golf Tournament held on Saturday, June 15, 2024.



Eucharistic logo cropped Check out the new SHJ web page for the National Eucharistic Revival.
On Ash Wednesday Father made a comment that more people come to church to receive ashes than come on a Holyday.  Why are ashes so popular, why do so many people get ashes?  I suspect it is because as a symbol they are blunt, primal and they speak the language of the soul.  Something inside each of us knows exactly why we receive ashes:  “Remember you are dust and unto dust you will return!”  There is no explanation needed; the message is clear.  It is no accident that ashes have always been a major symbol within all cultures and religions.  We see it throughout the bible; to put on ashes, to sit in ashes, is to say publicly and to ourself that we are in a penitential, a reflective mood.  This is not “ordinary time” for us and not a season of celebration.  We are grieving some of the things we have done and are waiting for a better time.  This is truly the “fast” before the “feast.”  There is a story that we all know that brings this out beautifully - Cinderella.  That very name comes from two words:  cinder or ashes and the latin word puella or young girl.  Literally it means the young girl who sits in the cinders, the ashes.  The story says it all, before the glass slipper is placed on her foot, before the beautiful gown, and the ball, there must be a period of sitting in the ashes, of being smudged, of being humbled, and of simply waiting.  She has to “fast” before the “feast.”  That is the story of Lent.

We hear that same idea reflected in the Preface to the Eucharistic Prayer that Father will say in a few minutes.  Listen.  By abstaining forty long days from earthly food, he consecrated through his fast the pattern of our Lenten observance and, by overturning all the snares of the ancient serpent, taught us to cast out the leaven of malice, so that, celebrating worthily the Paschal Mystery, we might pass over at last to the eternal Paschal feastThe Lenten fast is meant to prepare us for the Paschal feast.

But so often we only think of fast in terms of what food can I give up.  Sure, our New Years resolution to get healthier didn’t last long but we know we can give up something during Lent and get back on our diet.  Years ago I read an article written by William Arthur Ward, an American author, teach and pastor.  He offered a list of things to “fast from and feast on.”  I decided to use that idea to give us three ways to think about fasting and feasting.  Three ways to as the Preface said “cast out the leaven of malice.”  If we focus on these during Lent we may not be thinner at Easter but we will be different.

First, fast from angry replies; feast on gentle silence.  Remember when we talked about pondering and amazement.  To ponder meant to take in all the anger, the hatred around us, hold it inside, filter it and return only love and kindness.  Amazement means to simply let whatever comes in pass right through us.  You don’t like me, okay, I don’t like you.  It takes a positive decision to ponder instead.  And a lot of biting of your lip.  And smiling.

Next, fast from “me”; feast on “you.”  We spend a lot of time and energy looking out for number one - me.  Think about how often you say “I.”  Even our casual conversation is usually about me, what I did, who I met, where I’m going.  It is harder to focus on someone else - how are you doing, what can we do for you?.  If we want to know if we are becoming more Christ-like we simply need to ask ourselves if we are becoming more other-focused.

Finally, fast from holding grudges; feast on forgiveness. When we hold a grudge we let someone else have control over our lives.  Grudges can eat away at us, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  What did Christ do?  Forgive them Father for they know not what they do.  Lent should be a time of forgiveness. 

Three thoughts:  Ponder more, focus on others, forgive.  That will make the Easter feast a true celebration.  

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Mass Times

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday   9:00 am
Wednesday   4:00 pm
First Saturday   9:00 am
Saturday    5:00 pm 
Sunday   8:00 am
10:00 am
Holy Day Vigil (with obligation) As announced
Holy Day (with or without obligation)   9:00 am


Confession Schedule
Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 8:40 to 8:55 am
Wednesday 3:30 to 3:50 pm
Saturday 4:00 to 4:45 pm
By Appointment Call Pastor