Pastor's Letter -- March 20, 2022

Dearly beloved,
It’s the Third week of Lent. How is your Lent so far? Have you been
working on deepening your friendship with Jesus, and to be his
loving presence to everyone? Are you carrying your cross and uniting
your sacrifices, whether freely chosen or joyfully embraced with
Jesus, who himself suffers for you? Are you praying more, giving
more and fasting more? If your response to any of these questions is
negative, do not be discouraged. Lent is a process (of purification
and enlightenment), not a destination. Every day is a new
opportunity to begin again. As we go along, be tracking those
practices that are helping you be a better person, those you should
continue; and those practices that are not helpful, you should reevaluate or set aside. It is my prayer that these forty days of Lent
would lead to sincere conversion and transformation of our hearts.
Amen.

Praise God, God does not treat us according to what we deserve, but
according to his infinite love for us! It is this love that compels us (2
Corinthians 5: 14) to be merciful to others whom we consider more
sinful than we are. This week, the themes of repentance and mercy
ring throughout the readings for our liturgy. I would like to reflect
on being merciful and kind, just as God is. The goal of Lent is to
make us more like Jesus.

When traveling to an unknown address, I usually rely on my GPS.
And thank God, it has always taken me to my destination. But, have
you noticed how Google Map never yells, condemns or castigates
you whenever you take the wrong turn? It never raises its voice and
say, “You were supposed to go east at the last crossing, but you
chose to go west. Therefore I will have to punish you by making you
go the long way around, and you would be late to your appointment.
Next time, you will learn to pay attention to my instruction.” If it did
that, chances are, many of us might stop using it. But Google Maps
simply “Re-Routes” and shows you the next best route to your
destination. It is programmed that way. Its primary purpose is to get
you to your destination, not to make you feel bad for having made a
mistake in what turns you took.

There is a lesson for us. Some times, it could be tempting to unload
our frustration and anger on those who have made a mistake,
especially those we are close to, whether family or friends. We tend
to blame their misfortune on their poor choices and indiscretion in
life styles. While this might be true in some cases, they might not be
so in others. But whatever the case, it is not our place to blame or
condemn others for their wrong actions. One of the Spiritual Works
of Mercy is to admonish the sinner. This is to be done in love. We
must remember also that bad things don’t only happen to bad
people; good people could come upon hard times as well. We are
called to show compassion and love, just as God is kind and merciful
to all. We are to recognize that the sufferings of others, though
sometimes deserved, should be occasion for us to show mercy and
lend a helping hand, if we can. This “Re-Routing” in mentality is
what Lent calls for.

So, my question for you is, have you had Re-Routing moments
recently? Were these with your own self or with others? Notice that
Jesus did not agree with those who asked if the Galileans who had
been killed by Pilate were greater sinners than those Galileans
whose lives were spared. He said, unless you all repent, you will
likewise perish. To judge or condemn others for their apparent
religious lukewarmness or moral laxity might shut the door against
them. They too can repent, if we give them time just like the
gardener in the gospel who pleads on behalf of the unproductive fig
tree. Beginning now, let us be like Google Maps to our children,
family, work buddies, friends, and all the people we meet.

Our parish Lenten mission is March 21st – 24th. I look forward to
seeing you!

May Jesus bless you, and may Our Lady protect you!