March 21st, Sunday, Fifth Week of Lent

Ezekiel 37: 12-14, Psalm 130: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, Romans 8: 8-11, John 11: 1-45 Year A
or
Isaiah 43:16-21, Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6, Philippians 3:8-14, John 8:1-11, Year C

Today’s readings bring out the message that God is shining bright with hope and love no matter how dark life seems. Jesus answered the call of Mary and Martha, despite the fear of the apostles and brought Lazarus back to life.

My siblings and I felt the fear and sadness and confusion like Martha and Mary almost four years ago when our mother passed away after a long illness. Our sagging spirits and dark hearts were brought back to life by the help of St. Raymond’s wonderful bereavement ministry. The healing process of putting together the scriptures and hymns for the Mass helped us to calm down and enabled us to get through the long week of saying goodbye to Mom. We could feel the hope and strength of God because of the kindness and caring of dear friends, family, and the community of St. Raymond’s. Like in today’s Psalm "out of the depths I cry to you O Lord", we hope and wait for God’s answer and so often we get a gentle touch from a loved one. We may also receive a smile from a stranger, or kind words in a letter, so it keeps us going even when times are dark.

I feel blessed that I’ve been guided by different men of the parish to get involved on my spiritual journey through men’s CHRP and now a men’s M.A.C. group and the closing of the chapel. I can hear how the Spirit is working in our lives through the sharing of our everyday stories and also in the silence of the chapel. My wife and I have lived a block away from St. Raymond’s for thirty two years and have taken many evening walks and stopped outside at the statue of Mary with the big lit up cross. We say prayers of thanks and ask intentions for many friends and family and sometimes "cry out" when things aren’t going so well. We walk away feeling that the spirit, hope, and love of God is there to guide us on our journey of life.

Art Briggs, married to Marian, father of two.