A Preview of Holy Week

03-28-2021Weekly Reflection© J. S. Paluch Company

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and previews its themes and events. Today's liturgy begins with the commemoration of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. The Roman Missal gives three options for how this can be done, the most elaborate which begisn with the priest, ministers, and the entire assembly outside. The Gospel accound of the entry is read, after which palms are blessed and distributed. Then everyone enters the church in procession, singing songs or psalms. However, the joy is temporary; the Passion narrative recounds how, after an intimate meal with his disciples a few days later, Jesus is arrested, tortured, crucified, and buried. The from Isaiah is one of four Suffering Servant songs, while the psalm lkikewise gives voice to the suffering of the innocent. The reading from Philippians affirms the Incarnaton as God's embrace of the entire human situation, including suffering and death.

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Spring Covid Update

03-18-2021Weekly ReflectionAnna Hoffman

Dear Parishioners,

Over the past couple of weeks, we have noticed an increase in Mass attendance, especially at the 10:00 am Mass.  We see this as a good sign that people are feeling encouraged about returning to the celebration of the Eucharist and we anticipate that attendance will continue to rise, especially as we approach Holy Week, Easter Season, and summer.

Although the capacity limitations set forth by the Diocese of Phoenix have not changed, the overarching goal is to adapt and accommodate the increase in attendance with joy and hospitality!  Beginning this weekend, there will be some minor modifications to allow for more people to be seated in the church.

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Redeeming Humanity

03-14-2021Weekly Reflection© J. S. Paluch Company

The end of second Chronicles claims that “all the princes of Judah, the priests, and the people“ were continuously unfaithful to their covenant with God. This infidelity ultimately led to 70 years of exile in Babylon, after which Cyrus, the Persian ruler who conquered Babylon, allows the people of Israel to return home and build their temple; the Psalmist reflects on the bitterness of those 70 years. Paul is lyrical and praising God “who is rich in mercy“ and who “brought us to life“ with Christ, while the evangelist recounts preaching by Jesus on the same theme. this is the section of John that includes the aft memorized John 3:16: “for God so loved the world…“ All three readings emphasize God‘s desire to rescue or redeem humanity – from pain – and suffering.

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The Law

03-07-2021Weekly Reflection© J. S. Paluch Company

Today’s reading from Exodus tales of God giving the 10 Commandments to Moses; this passage is well-known to Christians, but it is only the introduction to the entire Mosaic Law, or Torah. The psalm is a small section of the longest in the Psalter – 172 verses – Which are generally couplets (two lines) praising the law is perfect, true, just, right, and so on. The law is both a source of Jewish identity in the centerpiece of the Jewish intellectual tradition.

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