The concert
last Monday evening, Jesus Christ Superstar, was fantastic! What talented
people! Many thank to each one of them for sharing their great talent with us!
Thanks to all of you who were able to come and enjoy the concert. Your support
of our concerts is bringing us that much closer to our purchase of a new sound
system, something that we desperately need. Many thanks to Betty Alilovic and
our young people who helped Isabel and Dominic to prepare the wonderful
reception afterwards! I know that many people
helped beforehand, during and after in the kitchen and the hall and I am
indebted to them for their help. Last, but not least, thanks to Anthony, our
9:30am Mass music director for arranging and orchestrating the entire evening.
I do appreciate everything that you all do to help make our parish a going
concern.
Lenten
Meditation - Gospel for the
First Scrutiny RCIA
\In
the story of the woman at the well, Jesus broke through the barriers of
prejudice, hostility, and tradition to bring the good news of peace and
reconciliation to Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles alike. He demonstrated the
universality of the gospel both in word and deed. No one is barred from the
love of God and the good news of salvation. There is only one thing that can
keep us from God and his redeeming love – our stubborn pride and willful
rebellion.
What is the
point of Jesus’ exchange with the Samaritan woman about water? The kind of water which Jesus spoke about was
living, running, fresh, pure water. Fresh water from a cool running stream was
always preferred to the still water one might find in a pool or reservoir. When
the Israelites complained about lack of water in the wilderness, God instructed
Moses to strike the rock and a stream of fresh living water gushed out (Exodus
17:6 ). Even though the Israelites did not trust God to care for them in the
wilderness, God, nonetheless gave them abundant water and provision through the
intercession of his servant Moses.
The image of
"living water" is used throughout the scriptures as a symbol of God’s
wisdom, a wisdom that imparts life and blessing to all who receive it. “The
teaching of the wise is a fountain of life” (Proverbs 13:14).
"Living water" was also a symbol for the Jews of thirst of the soul
for God. The water which Jesus spoke of symbolized the Holy Spirit and his work
of recreating us in God’s image and sustaining in us the new life which comes
from God. The life which the Holy Spirit produces in us makes us a "new
creation" in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Fr. Phil
