Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • March 20, 2020 5 9274 Hwy 49/Airport Gulfport, MS 39503 228-863-5525 1-800-880-2446 FAX: 228-863-9612 www.butchoustalet.com 1260 Ocean Springs Road, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 Ph: 228-818-0650 For more information, contact Jody Ellis Stoddard, Executive Director or email her at gardensED@BlueHarborSL.com Web Address: www.gardensseniorliving.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheGardensSeniorLivingOceanSprings Thank you, Jesus, Mary, St. Jude, and St. Anthony, for prayers answered. CS Having moved to Pennsylvania when we got married, my wife, Mary, and I frequently drove (back) to Brooklyn, New York, to visit my parents, siblings and (lots of) relatives and friends. Although the trip took no more than two and a half hours, one hour of that was getting from New York City to Brooklyn via the Holland Tunnel. Inevitably and often one or both of our children would wearily ask, “Are we there yet”? With this last Sunday of Lent and the many opportunities the season has provided for growing closer to the Lord and strengthening our faith we are compelled to ask -- are we there yet? In today’s first reading, the prophet, Samuel, learns he is not “there” yet. Sent by God to Jesse of Bethlehem to anoint one of his eight sons as king of Israel, Samuel presumptively attempted to anoint the wrong son. God stopped him in mid-thought and taught Samuel, and us, some valuable lessons. 1. Avoid making hasty judgments independent of God’s guidance. 2. God has great plans for us, which are far better than ours and can be trusted. “I know well the plans I have for you…plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future full of hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). 3. Put your life in God’s hands. God knows more than you do, knows better than you do, and sees the entire picture, including the future. 4. God reads our thoughts and wants to perfect them to align with His will. He does this through the Scriptures, Church teaching and the wisdom of those who love us and truly care about our well-being -- are we paying attention and acting accordingly? 5. Do our efforts and important life decisions fail to bear the fruit we hoped for or leave us feeling less than satisfied? Try an extreme makeover -- give the Lord full sway over your plans, thoughts, words and actions. 6. Is God directing your steps (where you go), guiding your thoughts (what comes into your mind), influencing your words (what you say) and transforming your actions (what you do)? If not, who or what is? Psalm 23 was written by King David, who was handpicked by God to be ruler of Israel. Even when David sinned, he humbly and immediately turned to God in repentance. A humble spirit and contrite heart are keys to oneness with the Lord. Today’s Gospel features a neophyte progressively drawing closer to Jesus while religious leaders build walls of separation. Jesus’ initial encounter with the man born blind is a beautiful example of God’s expansive love, his generous mercy and his unlimited miracle working power. Without being asked, Jesus initiated contact with the blind man, prescribed the solution to his problem, and required his cooperation in the miracle working process -- “Go wash in the pool of Siloam” (John 9: 7). The Pharisees grueling interrogation that followed was meant to crumble the blind man’s faith and prove Jesus as a breaker of the Law because He healed on the Sabbath. The devious plot backfired. The blind man’s faith was actually strengthened, and Jesus’ accusers were shown to be the truly blind because they saw the miracle working power of God and tried to destroy it. Anyone who ignores or comes in direct opposition to the will and work of God is setting themselves up for misery and failure. Let’s notice the faith progression expressed by the formerly blind man. When asked who healed him, he responded, “The man called Jesus.” As the grilling became more intense, he identified Jesus as “a prophet,” and later, conversing with Christ, he worshipped Jesus and called Him, “Lord.” This encounter challenges us to reflect on our own faith progression. Too often, even those who attend Mass regularly are comfortable with an arms- length relationship with the Lord. One that may acknowledge Jesus as a good man or even a prophet with wonderful words and deeds but stops short of total surrender to Jesus as Lord of our lives -- giving Him primary position in all we think, say and do. What will it take for you to move from casual knowledge of a “man” called Jesus to a posture of worship, adoration and complete dependence on Him and what are you waiting for? In Lent, the Church is trying to prepare us for heaven -- are we there yet? Bishop Robert Barron wrote, “The holiest people in our tradition are those who are most aware of their sinfulness. Whether it is Paul, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Teresa of Avila, Thérèse of Lisieux, or Mother Teresa, the saints are those who are convinced of their inadequacy. When Isaiah encounters the Lord he says, “I am a man of unclean lips!” When Peter is in the presence of the Messiah he says, “Lord, leave me, for I am a sinful man.” G.K. Chesterton said, “A saint is someone who knows he’s a sinner.”” Are (you) there yet? Deacon Ralph Torrelli lives in Hattiesburg and is assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Visit his website: www.homilypearls.com. 1st Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a Responsorial Psalm: 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 2nd Reading: Ephesians 5:8-14 Gospel: John 9:1-41 4th Sunday of Lent Are we there yet? Deacon Torrell i Sunday Scripture Commentaries