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“We should glory in the Cross
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection,
through whom we are saved and delivered.”

HOLY THURSDAY

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A Very Happy Mother’s Day! The Friars and Staff send prayers and blessings to all Mothers and the Motherly on this annual celebration. Our lives are enriched by your care and dedication.

Today’s short Gospel focuses on Jesus, the good shepherd. He says, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” This sentence tells us many things: Jesus knows us and we are meant to be his followers. Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows our thoughts, our words, our desires, our hidden thoughts, the various aspects of our personalities; what we do and what we don’t do. Yes, he knows us and yet, he calls us to follow him. Some days we are good at following Jesus, but on other days we prefer to do it “our way” and it may not end of all that good and yet Jesus continues to call us to follow him. This is amazing and it is also humbling that someone thinks so much of us to stick with us in good times and bad.

Because of the money that we have received from Renew and Rebuild, we have been able to do these projects; some were in the Renew and Rebuild Plan and others were emergencies:

• Preliminary work on the organ
• New telephone system
• Technology upgrade
• Roof repair and duct replacement near the elevator (not the church roof)
• Heating valve replacement
• Repair of broken pipes in the walls of the upper and lower sacristies and replacement of walls

I am grateful for the generosity of those who gave to Renew and Rebuild that covered the expense of these projects. We are currently looking at replacing some of the sidewalks on 31st Street because they are causing leaks in the basement.

We can still use your help for these and other capital projects.  If you would like to make a special donation  toward these and other maintenance projects please email me at areitz@stfrancisnyc.org or call me at 212-736-8500 x232.  Thank you.

-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.

Chapter 4: Signs of Holiness in Today’s World

Christians too can be caught up in networks of verbal violence through the internet and the various forms of digital communication… limits can be over-stepped, defamation and slander can become commonplace and all ethical standards and respect for the common name of others can be abandoned.

Inner strength, as the work of grace, prevents us from becoming carried away by the violence that is so much a part of life today, because grace defuses vanity and makes possible meekness of heart. The saints do not waste energy complaining about the failings of others; they can hold their tongue before the faults of their brothers and sisters, and avoid the verbal violence that demeans and mistreats others. Saints hesitate to treat others harshly; they consider others better than themselves.

It is not good when we look down on others like heartless judges, lording it over them and always trying to teach them lessons. That is itself a subtle form of violence.

On this Third Sunday of Easter, we hear the following passage from the Gospel of John: “Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’” Peter had only to remember that he had denied knowing Jesus three times. Jesus was not testing him, but was stirring up in Peter the strength that he knew Peter had, but had disappeared during the time of Jesus’ arrest. Jesus was preparing Peter for the future which would have many challenges. We know that Peter did not disappoint Jesus and eventually died on a cross like his master. The Easter season is an opportunity to have our faith strengthened as we hear how those closest to Jesus had to mature in their faith also. These are important opportunities for us. Jesus asks us: “Do you love me?”

Each Friday during the Easter season we pray the Via Lucis after the 12:30 and 5:30 Masses. These are the Stations of the Resurrection: Jesus rises from the dead, the disciples discover the empty tomb, Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, the risen Lord appears on the road to Emmaus, the Lord is recognized in
the breaking of bread, the Lord appears to the disciples, the Lord breathes peace and gives the power to forgive, Jesus strengthens the faith of Thomas, the Lord eats with his disciples, the Lord forgives Peter, Jesus sends his disciples into the world, the Risen Lord ascends into heaven, Mary and the disciples keep vigil, and the Holy Spirit descents on the disciples. The Scripture for each station is read and a prayer follows that is recited by all. We are familiar with the Way of the Cross; the Stations of the Resurrection complete the earthly life of Jesus with the various events taken from the Gospels. They are a beautiful meditation for the Easter season.

-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.

Chapter 4: Signs of Holiness in Today’s World

St. Paul bade the Romans not to repay evil for evil, not to seek revenge and not to be overcome by evil but instead “overcome evil with good.” This attitude is not a sign of weakness but of true strength, because God himself “is slow to anger but great in power.” The word of God exhorts us to “put away all bitterness and wrath and wrangling and slander, together with all malice.” We need to recognize and combat our aggressive and selfish inclinations, and not let them take root…

When we feel overwhelmed, we can always cling to the anchor of prayer, which puts us back in God’s hands and the source of our peace. “Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all under- standing will guard your hearts.”

The Gospel on this Sunday after Easter is the story of Thomas saying that he wouldn’t believe that Jesus had appeared to the other disciples unless he saw the marks on Jesus’ crucified body. We know that “seeing” can often lead to “believing.” Jesus is amazing and appears for a second time when Thomas is there. He shows Thomas his wounded body and it is enough for Thomas to say, “My Lord and My God!” Doubting is normal even when it comes to faith. Doubt can lead to a clearer understanding of what we believe and help us be stronger in our belief. There is so much in our culture today that can heighten our doubting, but as Christians it is good to look for those experiences, those people, and those events that deepen our belief. They are there. Be aware of them as you go through this week.

This is the eighth day in the Octave of Easter. Our newly baptized will be wearing their white baptismal robes at the 5:00 PM Sunday Mass. We are blessed to have seven new members of our faith community and 13 members who completed their sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil through the Sacrament of Confirmation. Congratulations! They will be continuing the Rite of Initiation in a period known as “mystagogia” during the month of May. Our next RCIA will begin in September, but if people are interested in knowing more about the program, contact Joe Nuzzi here at the church 212-736-8500 or jnuzzi@stfrancisnyc.org. The program is for those who have not been baptized or those who were never confirmed.

Join us for the Via Lucis, the Stations of the Resurrection, every Friday after the 12:30 and 5:30 Masses during the Easter season. This is an inspiring, prayerful experience of the events after Jesus’ Resurrection.

-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.