As we approach the end of Lent and Enter Holy Week, the holiest of days as Catholics. It is here that we enter more deeply into the Paschal Mystery, Christ’s Passion, death and resurrection. This is our Catholic identity and it is for this reason that He came, to bring about not only something new but to make all things new!
For many they are looking for that new Easter hat, or spring dress to wear Easter morning, or maybe kids getting ready for the Easter Bunny and hunting for those colored eggs. Today in the midst of our final moments we are being invited to enter in and experience something new.
This past October our journey took a step in a new direction as Pope Francis convoked the new Synod reflecting, sharing and offering input through the synodal process as a kaleidoscope from which we can be enriched by one another in sharing how we live and celebrate our faith. Let our celebration of the Pasque be lived, seen and reflected with color and light. As the kaleidoscope disperses multiple colors so does the richness of the Church as our peoples of many diverse and different cultures and backgrounds come together and share their faith with its depth and beauty.
The prophesy of Isaiah rings aloud in our ears the Lent, at a time when our world is continually reminded of our instability as nation wage war for gain and greed, as lies, disinformation and dishonesty, are accepted as truth and deceit and deception become normative a part of daily living. Both within and outside the church. We proclaim to the WORLD:
“Remember not the events of the past,
the things of long ago consider not;
see, I am doing something new!
Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
In the desert I make a way,
in the wasteland, rivers.”
To often we are afraid of the new because it is unknown. The newness that is offered comes to us from knowing Christ and power of His rrection and fellowship in His suffering. St Paul invites us into newness as we here him encouraging the Church in Philippi into a deeper knowledge of God.
“consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. ..depending on faith to know him and the power of his resurrection
and the sharing of his sufferings by being conformed to his death,”
You see we are constantly and continually becoming and this pursuit is on going. Deeper and more profoundly if we open our hearts and minds to it’s truth and power. It is this becoming that St Paul is embracing as he runs the race. However, so many are lost in fear, have given up the race and stopped pursuing the higher calling. Rather than thinks for themselves and pursue truth they remain closed to knowledge and are absorbed in erroneous misinformation that is fed upon, consumed and afterwards it takes root in them, it is regurgitated and spewed out for further consumption by others willing to spiral downward.
Here is Paul’s becoming:
“, I for my part
do not consider myself to have taken possession.
Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind
but Pressing forward to what lies ahead,
I continue my pursuit toward the goal,
the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus.”
We’ve not made it yet we too are still in pursuit of the prize. Jesus comes to save the lost and heal the broken hearted. As we see the woman caught in adultery we find hope, solace and encouragement. Christ restores her and frees her from the condemnation and offers her liberation. Something new being done in her through Him.
