2013 Bon Venture Services, LLC. Saint Mary s R.C. Church Denville, New Jersey

Transcription

1 2013 Bon Venture Services, LLC Saint Mary s R.C. Church Denville, New Jersey

2 February 18, 2018 Weekly Mass Intentions SATURDAY, February 17 5:00pm: Robert Kantenwein (St. Mary s Cursillo Group) SUNDAY, February 18 7:00am: Carolyn M. Tonero (Tonero) 8:30am: Mary Moylan (Ryaness) 10:00am: Dolores Ward (Ward) 11:30am: Dr. Raymond Salamone Kennedy (Fran. Oaks) MONDAY, February 19 8:00am: Maureen & Ron Lockwood 12:05pm: Anthony Liantonio (Rabito) TUESDAY, February 20 8:00am: Hector Vella (Vella) 12:05pm: Steve Harasts (Paone) WEDNESDAY, February 21 8:00am: Terry Di Falco (St. Mary s Prep) 12:05pm: Margaret Costello Healy (Healy) THURSDAY, February 22 8:00am: William Shine (O Keefe) 12:05pm: Eugenia Mueller Gargiulo (Commoly) FRIDAY, February 23 8:00am: Nicholas Silvestri, Jr. (McClain) 12:05pm: Ray Gronemann (Covert) SATURDAY, February 24 8:00am: Charles F. Parvio, Jr. (Garrison); Connie Routh (Shipley); Joseph Tironi (Covert); Frances Luther (Ferraris) 5:00pm: Bill Norwick (Norwick) SUNDAY, February 25 7:00am: Edward Docolovich (Ferris) 8:30am: Joseph Tironi (Eckhard) 10:00am: Thomas Haley (Blaber) 11:30am: Carol & Leonardo Taverone (DiGiovanna) God s Plan for Giving W : $11, O G : T F 11, 2018: $13, Names remain on the prayer list for six weeks from the time they are first posted. Please call the rectory if you wish to have them back on the prayer list ext First Sunday in Lent Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist NEXT SATURDAY 5:00pm: 1-Rosetta Hopler, 2-John Phillips, 3-Joan Brennan, 4-Eileen O Leary, 5-Allison Sforza, 6-Lauren Sforza, 7-Pat Mulligan NEXT SUNDAY 7:00am: 1-Janet Nienstadt, 2-Joe McHale, 3-Dolores MacDonald 8:30am: 1-Carol Bartkowiak, 2-Anne Martens, 3-Deacon Jim Rizos, 4-Peg Feyl, 5-Anne Rahner, 6-Marie Fattorusso, 7-Kelly Donnelly 10:00am: 1-Jeff McEntee, 2-Kathleen Scollans, 3-Deacon Jack Flynn, 4-Noreen Panek, 5-Mary Spaanstra, 6-Sr. Kate Conti, 7-Karen Fahrer 11:30am: 1-Lisa Kunzel, 2-Ernie Daw, 3-Deacon Mike Allgaier, 4-Glen Hagen, 5-Laraine Gilberti, 6-Al Gilberti, 7-Maureen Hagen Lectors NEXT SATURDAY 5:00pm: Carol Bsarany NEXT SUNDAY 7:00am: Jean Wedemeier 8:30am: Ellen Sandman 10:00am: Amy McEntee 11:30am: Ernie Daw THE 2019 MASS BOOK IS NOW OPEN This Week s Calendar Complete calendar at Let us Pray F S : Marilyn Whelan; James Bilotta; Peter O Rourke: Alessandra Spagnolo; Mary Andes; John Stemkowski; Tippy Golia; Megan McGinty; Sister Mary Joan Phillips; Avery Roberts; John Mackin; Gloria Fenandez-Mira; Austin Noll IV; Audrey Packer; Ruth Gear; Joan Sheppard; Kaylee Holmes; Joan Griffith; Kyle O Leary; Dan Daly; Joe McCaig; Sofia Agudelo; Sean Moynihan; Tom Furlong; Joe Chisari; Elvira Mariani F D : Peggy Leo Grande-mother of Paul; Rev. George Kuzhippallil F A F & POW/MIAS: the men and women serving here and abroad, and for those missing in action and their families. Altar Servers Bible Study, Trustees Room NEXT SATURDAY 5:00pm: Aurora & Veronica Luer / Brady Green NEXT SUNDAY 7:00am: 8:30am: Nick Forgione / Ben Oriente / Tom Paglinco 10:00am: Danny Collum / Nick Morawski 11:30am: Jason Allen / Joe & Chris Roman

3 Faith & Family Formation ~B O W ~ Suggested text for faith sharing: Today s Gospel F S L W F 18, 2018 T : Reform your lives! S O : L W As you hear this very short Gospel reading, what words or phrases strike you? What image or story does the reading prompt you to recall? Q C : What will you do this Lent to become more like Jesus? Q Y : Lent gives us a chance to do things differently to "go to the desert." How can you make Lent a time for growing in faith? Q A : What is the one area of your life which you most want to "reform" as you get ready to embrace the Gospel, what is it? Baptism We Welcome our Recently Baptized to our Parish Community: Quinn Amelia Condon son of Tara & Richard Lenten Guidelines The penitential season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14. It is a period of prayer, fasting and almsgiving meant to draw Catholics more deeply into the sacred mysteries of the Lord s Passion, Death and Resurrection. On Ash Wednesday, the distribution of ashes took place at parishes throughout the Diocese of Paterson, preferably during Mass. The Church requires that ashes be distributed in a sacred place such as a church or chapel. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence. All Fridays in Lent are days of abstinence. Fasting requires that only one full meal be eaten that day. Two other smaller meals may be eaten during the day to maintain strength, but these two meals together should not equal a full meal in quantity, nor is there eating between meals. Fasting is an obligation of every Catholic between the ages 18 and 59. On days of abstinence, the consumption of meat is prohibited. Abstinence is an obligation for all Catholics beginning at the age of 14 and continuing throughout life. Those who are not specially obligated to fast or abstain are encouraged to join in these disciplines to the extent they are able. The season of Lent culminates in the celebration of the Easter Triduum of the Lord s Last Supper, Passion, Death and Resurrection. Holy Thursday is March 29. Good Friday is March 30. The Easter Vigil of the Lord s Resurrection is Saturday, March 31. Easter is Sunday, April 1. Church regulations stipulate the Easter Vigil begins, at least an hour after sunset. Right to Life Do 'Something Beautiful for God' From Feb. 14 through March 25, there will be "40 Days for Life" daily prayer vigils around the world outside of Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers. Please consider joining us as we pray at 196 Speedwell Ave. - Planned Parenthood of Morristown Your gift of an hour or more of peaceful witness and prayer any time Tuesday and Thursday between 12 and 7pm, or MTW/F & Saturday, 8am~4pm, will help to save God's precious unborn children in danger of abortion. This way you will do something beautiful for Him. Please sign up for any hour(s) you can give at or contact the local campaign coordinator, Frances Spillman, at to sign up. Signs will be provided, or you can bring your own. Just imagine how wonderful it will feel to save a precious little baby's life! We hope you will join us. Bible Study...Important!! There will be NO Thursday Night Bible Study on March 1st or March 8th Adoration Every Monday morning we have Adoration after the 8am Mass. It is from 8:30 to 9:30am. Divine Mercy prayers are recited. The rest of the time is spent in private prayer. You don't have to stay the full hour. Just stop by and say Hello to the Lord. He would like to hear from you! For more information, please contact Barbara Jones at

4 Tricky Tray!! March 22, 2018 The St. Mary's Prep annual Tricky Tray will be held on Thursday, March 22nd at The Mansion at Mountain Lakes Tickets are now on sale Doors open at 5:00pm and calling begins at 8:00pm. Prizes include Amazon Echo Dot, Fire Tablet and Echo Show, Kate Spade, Michael Kors and Vera Bradley items, Ipad Mini, Bissell vacuum, Dell Inspirion laptop, Nintendo Switch, Overnight Stays at Local Hotels, Beats Headphones and much more. Raffles include 50/50, Lucky Day Raffle, Tiffany Raffle, Designer Purse Wheel, Deluxe Raffle and more... Watch for flyer in next week s bulletin! From the Diocese February 8 - was the Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita. Bakhita, patroness of kidnapped and trafficked children, was abducted as a child becoming a slave thereby experiencing the meaning of slavery by living it. Pray to St. Bakhita to protect children. U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking. Visit: sistersagainsttrafficking.org Bereavement Life after Loss This Special Session of Seasons will focus on Traumatic and Untimely Death. Loss of a loved one at any time is painful. Finding peace and healing after the loss of a loved one under unexplained or traumatic circumstances is even more difficult. This special session of Seasons of Hope focuses on coming to terms with traumatic loss and finding ways to navigate the path to healing and ultimately acceptance. Sessions will begin in February 21stand last for 8 consecutive weeks. Choice of a Wednesday or Friday evenings will be determined by the group. Please call or text Peg Feyl, our program facilitator at for additional information. Flyers are available in the Narthex. Our Next Regular Session of Seasons of Hope will begin on April Wednesday April 18 and continues for 8 consecutive Wednesdays. ONGOING SUPPORT: Seasons The Journey meets every 2 nd Thursday of the month in the Narthex of the Church at 6:30pm. The Journey is open to those who have attended one of our 8-week Seasons Programs. From the Diocese Save the Date for "An Evening with Sisters" - Friday, February 23rd from 7~8:30pm at Morris Catholic High School, 200 Morris Avenue, Denville. This event is open to high school and college aged women to enjoy an evening of conversation, prayer, food and fun! To RSVP and for more details, please Sister Bernadette McCauley on or before February 20th: sbernadette@scceast.org Threads of Love - Prayer Shawl Ministry We literally pray with every row of the shawl. Thanks to all who support our ministry through their kind donations to help us buy yarn. Threads of Love will again gather in the narthex on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays. Choice of Afternoon - 12:30pm or Evening - 6:30pm. Please call or text Peg Feyl at for information or request a shawl for a friend or relative. Registration forms available in Narthex. It s a Matter of Life or Death Many parents want perfect children. Our culture is obsessed with perfection a superficial perfection. Photos are airbrushed, and social media sites depict seemingly perfect lives. God calls us to seek perfection, too. He does not call us, however, to perfection of appearance or abilities, but to perfection in love. Life, Marriage and Religious Liberty. Join the Movement! St. Mary s Right to Life Ministry T O G! Go to and click this icon All Second Collections and Holy Days are listed. Any questions, call Donna at ext. 810 Assumption College Gala Assumption College for Sisters, Denville, will host their Seventeenth Annual Caring Basket Gala on March 22, 2018, honoring Msgr. George Hundt, Theresa and Kevin Coughlin, and the Duphiney Family. The event will be held at the Hanover Marriot from 6:30-10:00pm. Featured during the event are a 50/50 cash raffle and basket raffle along with a silent and live auction. All proceeds are primarily for the support and education of the 20 international Sisters from developing nations who are attending the college. Sister students will be present to sell 50/50 tickets after all the weekend Masses on February For more information and for the invitation, visit www. acs350.org/events-2/

5 SAINT MARY S PREP NEWS AND EVENTS S C : St. Mary s Prep will be closed Monday, February 19, in honor of President s Weekend. Classes will resume on Tuesday, February 20. \L, B T, C : Please continue to save these you can drop them off at the school office. We are able to purchase needed items for the school with the proceeds received. We appreciate your continued support. The Denville Blue Angels Football team will be offering a flag football clinic at St. Mary s Gym for student athletes currently in Pre-K4, Trans K, Kindergarten and 1 st Grade. The clinic will take place on 4 Saturdays and will be run by Denville Blue Angels parent coaches. This fun & non contact clinic will teach the fundamentals of flag football. Clinic will run from 8:30 am 10:00am Dates are: 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, and 3/24 in St. Mary s Gym Cost is $25.00 per child. If your child would like to participate, please return the form ( coachtomf@gmail.com for form) then send with a check payable to Denville Blue Angels. Send to DBA at PO Box 384 Denville NJ or through St. Mary s Prep secretary. Attn: Mary Bassano. Football Clinic CCD Contact: ccd@stmarys-denville.org or St Mary's CCD (facebook) Dates to Remember: each event does not necessarily pertain to all, note to whom it pertains CCD dates for Sunday 8:30-9:45 gr P/K-8 & 10-11:15 am gr P/K-6+8: Feb 25, Mar 4, 11, 18, 25, Apr 15, 22, 29 CCD dates for Monday 3:45-5pm classes gr 1-8: Feb 26, Mar 5, 12, 19, 26. Apr 16, 23, 30 CCD dates for Sunday 6:30-8:30 pm classes gr 5-8 doors open 6pm: Feb 25, Mar 4, 11, 18; Snow Day 3/25 (save the date) *Reconciliation Prayer Service Mon 2/26 4pm, make-up 1st Rec, open to all *Gr 8 retreat, Sat 3/ pm, s to follow with details Registration for : (due to demand with limitations we guarantee a seat for all parishioners, we cannot guarantee a seat in a preferred session) For all new students, not Baptized at St Mary's, a Baptism certificate must be presented at registration * for the Sunday PM gr 5-8 session (which meets 6:30-8:30), Sunday 2/25 7-8pm * for Monday 3:45pm session; due to demand but limited spacing you will need to request a lottery number to be assigned and indicate grades needed for NEXT year (errors in submissions cannot be adjusted after close date-once a class is full we cannot move another student in due to a submission error) by going to Sign-up Genius (use ccd@stmary-denville.org to locate page, link will be on Facebook page) by Tuesday Feb 20. Requests do not guarantee placement. By 2/26 you will be contacted regarding status (that you may register for Mondays or wait listed). This will be done before other session registrations dates to allow those who do not get into Mondays to register for another session. * for 8:30am Gr P/K-8, Sunday 3/ am * for 10am Gr P/K-7 (no gr 8) Sunday 3/ am New to St Mary s? Contact us to arrange for registration. Have a child entering gr 1 not attending parochial school? They must start attending CCD in gr 1 in order to make 1st Reconciliation & Communion in gr 2. Light of Faith Contact: ccd@stmarys-denville.org or St Mary's CCD (facebook) Dates to Remember: *NET Retreat - Th 3/ (Yr 2 LoF), Fr 3/ (Yr 1 LoF) *Confirmation Rehearsal - Fri 4/6: w/sponsor mini retreat; 6 to 9 *Confirmation - Sat 4/7 5pm mass, post mass photo opportunity with the Bishop LoF is not a substitution for mass. We do not have students sign in but they are expected to attend mass wkly. Students do have to report in an annual reception of reconciliation to lof.points@gmail.com. You can go on Sat. 4:15-4:45pm all year long. Light of Faith dates for Sun 6:30-8:30 pm; Yr 1 & 2 doors open 6pm: Session 3 MINI ALL students Yr 1 & 2: Feb 11, 25, Mar 4, 11,18// Snow Day 3/25 (Save the Date) Attn ALL gr 8 parents. Interested in having your child prepare for Confirmation and not currently on our CCD program or SMP? Our program, Light of Faith, will have its registration in March. For parishioners currently not in our system (attend another parochial school or a CCD program elsewhere) please contact the CCD office to be added to the contact list, ccd@stmarys-denville.org. There is a gr 8 retreat Sat 3/ that they will need to attend (limited alternate dates available). There will be 3 Registration Information Meetings, you only need attend 1, preferably with your student:

6 Community / FYI Denville Senior Citizens Offering - May 15 th (Tuesday) Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island $22.00 Join us for a Patriotic Day We will board the bus at the Senior Center to Liberty State Park, NJ where we will take the ferry to Ellis Island, the major east coast immigration entry point to the United States and then on to the Statue of Liberty Come join us visit Lady Liberty. At both island stops we will receive a headset to take a self guided tour. Lunch is on your own and is available at Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty Island. Call Carol Bsarany to reserve your seat on the bus The Way of the Cross - A Franciscan Mystery Play Friday, February 23, at 8:00pm the Franciscan Mystery Players will present their moving version of The Way of the Cross at St. Clement Pope & Martyr Church, 154 Mt. Pleasant Ave., Rockaway. Written by Franciscan Father Francis Pompei, the Mystery Play is not a play in the common sense, but is in fact a prayerful experience that uses special lighting, a stirring soundtrack, pantomime actions and inspirational narration to portray the Stations of the Cross in a manner that invites each viewer to contemplate the meaning of the Passion, and how it relates to their life today. The group is comprised of 15 teens and 9 adult advisors from several parishes in the Paterson Diocese. Adults and teens are encouraged to attend this special Lenten experience. We suggest you arrive 15 minutes early. A free will offering will be taken. This year, St. Catherine s will be hosting a Lenten Mission from February Fr. Ken Beale from Faith on Fire Missions will lead the four day Mission. Each evening begins at 7pm in the church followed by refreshments. The Mission begins Sunday evening with a concert entitled Go Into the World: Faith on Fire Missions Concert. Three evenings of scripture woven with story and song will follow on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings. All are invited to participate. For more information call The Denville American Legion Post 390, 9 Legion Place, is proud to continue our Affordable Dinner Program (ADP). Open to the public, dinner is served on Fridays, from 6 to 730pm or until we run out. We always offer 2 different choices for dinner. Feb 16 White fish or open faced turkey sandwich with mashed potatoes and a vegetable. $5.00 Saint Mary s R.C. Church~15 Myers Avenue~Denville, NJ Phone: ; Fax: ~ LIKE us on facebook: SAINT MARY S PARISH St Mary s Prep H&SA information: BULLETIN DEADLINE - MONDAY AT 5:00PM. Bulletin articles can be ed to Donna at: dott@stmarys-denville.org RECTORY OFFICE HOURS: Monday ~ Friday from 9:00am ~ 5:00pm Rectory Office dott@stmarys-denville.org CHOIR: Rehearsals Adult-Thursday, 7:30 ~ 8:30pm Youth-Monday, 3:30 ~ 4:15pm CCD OFFICE HOURS: Mon. ~Tues., Thurs. ~ Fri. 9:00am ~1:00pm CCD Office ccd@stmarys-denville.org FOOD FOR DENVILLE SOCIAL SERVICES: Please leave your nonperishables in the Narthex. Parish Ministry Contact List After Care Altar Flowers Linda Lash Baptism Arrangements Donna Ott x810 Bereavement Support (Seasons of Hope) Peg Feyl Bible Study Barbara Jones Bible Study-Mens Ray Bsarany Cancer Support Carol Bsarany CCD PJ Miller CCD Fax Child Care/Pre-School Amanda Appleby Community Outreach Harry Fahrer Council of Catholic Women Barbara Jones Cursillo Mary Spaanstra Carrie Donahue CYO Gina Foreman Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist Laraine Gilberti Finance Committee Ed Hardy Grand-Parenting Kathy Covert Home & School Association Joey Bella Foundation Richard Yobs Junior Acolytes Fr. Richard x813 Knights of Columbus Dave Gallagher-Denville Jerry Napolitano-Mtn Lks Lectors Carol Bsarany Marriage Arrangements Donna Ott x810 MASH Eileen Bonfanti Music Ministry Trish Vitaletti x814 Nocturnal Adoration Gerri Taormina Operation Appalachia Bill Harris Parish Life Ministry Karen Fahrer Prayer Shawl Ministry Peg Feyl Pro-Life Ministry Carol Bartkowiak Dcn. Jim Rizos R.C.I.A. Andrea Henry School Principal Dr. Margaret McCluskey School Fax Senior Acolytes Lou Golia Tech Ministry Mary Ann Krolik Harry Bonfanti True Loves Waits Tanya D Souza Ushers Jamie Whitmore Youth Ministry PJ Miller/Trish Vitaletti

7 DIOCESE OF PATERSON Diocesan Center 777 Valley Road Clifton, New Jersey Office of THE BISHOP (973) Fax (973) LENTEN PASTORAL LETTER 2018 The Cross: The Kingdom Come To all the faithful, religious and clergy: Grace and Peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus. (Ph 1:2) [1] In the Cloisters, which are part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, there is displayed the Bury St. Edmunds Cross. This highly unusual altar cross dates from the 12th century. It is a Romanesque cross made of ivory with ninety-two intricately carved figures and ninety-eight inscriptions, adorning its front and back. [2] On the very top of the front side of the cross stand Caiaphas and Pilate, arguing with each other. The high priest is wagging his finger at Pilate, demanding him to change the charge placed over the head of Jesus on the cross. Pilate refuses. He adamantly stands his ground, pointing to the placard bearing the charge beneath his feet. [3] All four gospel writers make mention of this placard. They record the fact that, over the head of Jesus on the cross, this sign read, Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews. According to the fourth gospel, Pilate had this charge against Jesus written on it in three languages. In Latin, the language of human government and power. In Greek, the language of culture and wisdom. And, in Hebrew, the language of religion (Jn 19:17-22). Thus, the three greatest forces of the human spirit unconsciously heralded him who is king not of just one people, but of all nations. [4] It was customary for the Romans to write the charge against a man condemned to death on a rough board in bold letters. On the way to the place of execution, two Roman solders would walk in front of the prisoner and two behind him. In front of this grim entourage, a man would carry the placard announcing the prisoner s crime. As Jesus made his way to Golgotha, word about the placard reached the Jewish rulers who had handed Jesus over to Pilate to crucify. They were infuriated. They could not bear to have anyone name him King of the Jews. [5] The chief priests were so hostile to Jesus that, even though they longed to be freed of Roman domination, they had claimed Caesar for their king in the trial before Pilate. They masked their hatred of Jesus beneath this sudden profession of loyalty to Rome. They wanted Jesus dead at all costs. Pilate was astute enough to understand their hypocrisy. Thus, to publically taunt these hypocrites, he issued his edict of condemnation: Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews. And he would not change it. 1 of 4

8 LENTEN PASTORAL LETTER 2018 [6] The kingship of Christ is woven like a golden thread throughout the entire Passion narrative. In the trial before the members of the Sanhedrin, the chief priests question Jesus about the claim that he is the Messiah. The Jews expected the Messiah to be the Son of David, a royal figure who would cast off the yoke of Israel s oppressors. He would work miracles and establish God s kingdom on earth. [7] Before the questioning of these lawless judges, Jesus remains silent. Like a lamb led to slaughter or a sheep silent before shearers, he did not open his mouth (Is 53:7).The Incarnate Word wordless. Witnesses speak against Jesus. Their testimony is patently false. No grounds can be found to condemn Jesus (Mt 26:59-60). No lie, no falsehood, in thought, word or deed can pass as truth in the presence of Jesus, then and now. [8] Caiaphas, the high priest, becomes annoyed at the slowness of the court to reach a guilty verdict. He is aware that many were hailing Jesus as the Messiah. Finally, in desperation, he puts Jesus under oath to answer whether or not he is the Messiah, the Son of God. [9] Jesus knew that the people were expecting the Messiah to be a political figure. For this reason, throughout his public ministry, he carefully avoided claiming the title of Messiah. He did not wish to stir up the political unrest of his people. Without prudence, courage is foolish. [10] However, at the end of his life, when the high priest puts Jesus under oath to say whether or not he is the Messiah, Jesus answers in no uncertain terms. Bound and held captive, Jesus is now free to speak. No danger at this point of his organizing a rebellion against Rome. No fear that he would command an army to establish a Jewish state. [11] In response to Caiaphas question if he is the Messiah, Jesus solemnly proclaims, I am; and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven (Mk 14:62). In his majestic I am, Jesus answers both parts of the high priest s question. He is the Messiah. He is the Son of God. And, then with great dignity, he proclaims that he will be the final judge and his accusers will stand before his tribunal. These judges, now blinded by their self-interest, are going to see him return in glory as the Son of Man. Self-interest is always the enemy of truth and compassion. [12] Caiaphas had asked Jesus if he was the Messiah-King. His line of questioning followed the popular understanding of a political Messiah. In responding, Jesus goes far beyond the expectations of his day. He cites the passage about the mysterious Son of Man who comes at the end of time and establishes God s reign over the whole world (Dan 7:11). In effect, he lays claim not to political power as a king, but to divine authority as the very Son of God Incarnate. He equates himself with God. Truth can never be compromised. [13] For the Jews who were strict monotheists, Jesus claim is blasphemy. He must die (Lev 24:16). He cannot be their divine king. Only the one, true God is. They condemn him to death. The highest truths can become servants of the lowliest deeds when our hearts are hardened and our eyes blinded by self-interest. So many crimes continue to be done in the name of religion. True religion never breeds hate, only love; never death, only life. [14] Since the Jews could not impose the death penalty, they bring Jesus to Pilate for sentencing. As is the custom, Pilate carries out his judicial function, beginning at 5 AM. The chief priests present the only charge that would merit the death penalty in Pilate s eyes. Jesus is a threat to the power of Rome. Thus, they accuse Jesus of claiming to be a king. [15] Pilate is a realist. The Passover feast is a time of great national expectations. If Jesus is truly, as they say, a king, he is a threat to Rome and must be done away with immediately. In responding to Pilate, Jesus 2 of 4

9 LENTEN PASTORAL LETTER 2018 proclaims his kingship. But, he distances himself from the popular notion of kingship. He tells Pilate, If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here (Jn 18:35). The kingship of Christ is the reign of truth, justice and peace that come from above. It cannot be imposed by human force. [16] Finding Jesus innocent of any kind of political kingship, Pilate appeals to the human sympathy of Jesus accusers. He has Jesus taken away and scourged. A cowardly compromise. So brutal was Roman scourging prior to execution that some individuals died before they could be crucified. Others went mad. [17] Jesus is stripped, tied to a pillar and scourged with leather straps with sharp pieces of bone attached. His skin torn, his body drenched in his own blood, the soldiers make sport of him. They robe him in a purple cloak, place a reed in his hand as a scepter and a crown of thorns on his head. They mock him, laughing and hailing him as King of the Jews (Jn 19:3). The chief priests, the crowds and attending soldiers will repeat this same taunt at the foot of the cross. When Jesus is brought back to Pilate, he finds him innocent. Yet, out of fear of losing his own position, Pilate hands Jesus over to his enemies to be crucified with the words, Behold, your King (Jn 19:14). Beneath the cruel sport of the soldiers and the sarcasm of Pilate, the truth neither could discern: Jesus is a king. [18] On the cross, Jesus truly dies as king. Before nailing Jesus to the cross, the soldiers offered him wine drugged with myrrh. A common custom offered by these stolid executioners. Or perhaps a small act of compassion in the midst of untold cruelty. The drug was to help the crucified lose consciousness and thus suffer less in dying. But Jesus refuses to take it (Mk 15:23). This seemingly small notice is of great significance. [19] In Proverbs, the queen mother tells her son Lemuel, King of Massa, that the common criminal should take wine in the moment of suffering to forget his misery. But, she warns him that it is not for kings, Lemuel, not for kings to drink wine; strong drink is not for princes, lest in drinking they forget what has been decreed, and violate the rights of any who are in need (Prv 31:4-5). Since Jesus is king, he refuses to be drugged. He will accept death with all his faculties intact. On the cross, he is the king giving true judgment to the world. [20] Despite his intense agony, the crucified Jesus does not curse; he blesses. He does not condemn; he forgives. The thief on the right of Jesus is moved. In the most audacious cry of one dying man to another, he cries out, Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom (Lk 23:42). With the eyes of faith, he acknowledges the deepest truth about Jesus. Jesus is truly a king. [21] In response to the heartfelt prayer of the man crucified on his right, Jesus assures him a place in his heavenly kingdom. There is no sin too great for him to forgive. No matter what hour we turn from ourselves to the Lord and repent, his arms remain outstretched to receive us into his kingdom. [22] From the first day of his public ministry, Jesus had preached the coming of the kingdom of God (Mk 1:14-15). What Jesus meant by the kingdom of God, he revealed in giving us the Our Father. The second petition of this prayer is Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Mt 6:10). Typical of Hebrew poetry, the second phrase is parallel to the first phrase. It repeats it, expands it and explains its meaning. Thus, for Jesus, the kingdom of God is not a geographical territory, a nation or people under a theocracy. Rather, it is that state or condition where God s will is perfectly done. It is the rule or the sovereignty of God over his creation and all people. [23] In Jesus ministry, the kingdom of God was truly present. As he said to the Pharisees, Behold, the kingdom of God is among you (Lk 17:21). But, only those who totally depended on God were entering it (Mk 10:15). And, so it is today. Only when we allow God to have dominion over our hearts and souls, only 3 of 4

10 LENTEN PASTORAL LETTER 2018 when we submit our thoughts, words, deeds and actions to his law of love do we enter his kingdom. [24] After Peter confesses Jesus to be the Messiah, Jesus instructs his disciples on the necessity of the cross. Then, he says to them, Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come in power (Mk 9:1). In a word, Jesus acknowledges that the kingdom, though present in his ministry, had not fully come. [25] At the Last Supper, Jesus institutes the Eucharist as the memorial of his upcoming death and resurrection. And, then he says, Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God (Mk 14:25). Jesus is looking forward at this point beyond his death to the eschatological banquet when the kingdom has come in its fullness. [26] Jesus death on the cross is the moment when he ushers in the kingdom of God in power. A crucified man died exhausted. But, not Jesus. He has strength enough to utter a loud cry before he expires (Mt 27:50; Mk 15:37; Lk 23:46). This is not the cry of an anguished man gasping in relief. It is not the pitiful cry of a helpless victim giving up in despair. It is something much more profound. [27] The fourth evangelist tells us that Jesus cries out at this moment the words It is finished (Jn 19:30). In Greek, it is just one word (τετέλεσται). It is the shortest of all the words spoken by Jesus on the cross. But, in it is contained the whole meaning of Jesus mission. [28] Jesus had once told his disciples, My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work (Jn 4:34). In dying, he brings to completion God s work. He perfectly fulfills the Father s will, becoming obedient to death, even to death on the cross (Phil 2:8) and ushers in the kingdom of God in power. [29] Returning to the Father, Jesus cries out in a loud voice. It is the shout of triumph. It is the cry of the Conqueror claiming victory. The battle is over. The strife is won. Sin is defeated. Death overcome. From Jesus pierced heart, grace is given us in abundance to do God s will. [30] In dying, Jesus embodies in his very person the kingdom of God. His obedience to the Father establishes the absolute sovereignty of God over all creation. Through Christ and in him, we enter the kingdom and we are saved. Purpled in his own blood and crowned with thorns, Christ reigns from the cross as King. Given at the Pastoral Center of the Diocese of Paterson, on Ash Wednesday, the fourteenth day of February, in the year of Our Lord, two thousand and eighteen. +Arthur J. Serratelli, S.T.D., S.S.L., D.D. Bishop of Paterson Sr. Joan Daniel Healy, SCC Chancellor 4 of 4

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