Third Sunday of Lent

03-12-2023From Fr. Antony's DeskFr. Antony Arockiadoss

Dear Family!

It is my sad duty to announce to you that our school principal Mrs. Donna Kucinski will be resigning this year. I respect her decision and thank her long and productive career in our school. Her dedication and sacrifices in sharing faith and knowledge to our children will never be forgotten. We wish her well and continue to pray for the repose of the soul of her mother and also to pray for her family.

As per the guidelines of the diocese, we have formed a Search Committee and will be meeting regularly to identity our next principal. We are working closely with the diocese and will be as transparent as possible to all of you in matters of decision and finance. I request parents with young children to make an effort in enrolling your children to our school. Our school has the best of facilities and staff and the best part is that our children learn with faith.

As we get closer to the paschal mystery of the suffering, death and Resurrection of Jesus, we accompany Jesus to ‘the well’ in Samaria (last Sunday to the Mount of Transfiguration, previously to the Desert). Only John writes about this event in his gospel. Here, Jesus travels to Samaria which is not so welcoming of Jews. Even with all the difficult history between Jews and Samaritans, Jesus breaks two important social laws: A Jew talking to an unknown woman, and A Jew inviting a contact with Samaritans.

It is also significant to notice that Jesus radically transforms the life of Moses and fulfills the scriptures in and through Jesus. As the greatest of the prophets, Moses had to face the desert experience to hide and also prepare himself for the Exodus event. Jesus exceeds Moses in His prophetic leadership by becoming our Way, Truth and Life leading us from the slavery of sin and death into life of holiness. Moses went up the mountain and he was radiating the light of God in him that he had to cover his face. Jesus exceeds Moses in His radiance that Jesus’ whole body was transfigured as he fulfilled the Law and the Prophets.

In the Gospel, we continue to note as Moses, by the power of God gushed forth water at Massah (Testing) and Meribah (Quarreling). Jesus exceeds Moses in His of Life-Giving Water. Moses satisfied the physical thirst in the desert, but Jesus satisfies our inner thirst. Jesus, the Son of God, Lord of lords, King of kings comes to me a sinner and claims me to be His own.

As Jesus leads us from death to life, I respond to the love of Jesus with an active prayer life and works of charity. Please consider joining any of our church ministries especially the 72 Disciples - to help grow in faith and love. Thank you for your ‘yes’ to Jesus!

Fr. Antony