Friday's Reflection

Readings

Today we hear of Saul’s conversion. Saul, who we know after his conversion as Paul, is “struck down and blinded.” Saul then hears Jesus ask, “Why are you persecuting me?” and Paul responds, “Who are you, sir?” The reply comes, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” It is at this point that Jesus gives Saul a message as to what he is to do next. We know that Jesus opens Paul’s eyes to who he really is, and it is from that point that Paul sees clearly.

Imagine if you were to hear the voice of Jesus. It can be easy to understand how Saul transforms from a persecutor of Jesus to his most staunch promoter during this life-giving event, but we should consider the sacrifice that Saul has to make in order to become Paul, the man known for preaching about Christ the Savior of the world. If you were Paul, how would you explain to your friends and fellow persecutors that you have somehow heard the voice of Jesus; that you have become a changed man and that they are to change as well?

The sacrifice that transforms Saul into Paul is life changing for all of us. Paul not only realizes this, he embraces that change. Have we been challenged this Lent and Easter to change? If so, are we willing to embrace a new way of being? If not, how can we ever fully embrace what Christ has to offer us…everlasting life?

Blessings,

Fr. John Kurgan

For centuries the Catholic Church has held May as a special month devoted & dedicated to the Blessed Mother. One of these ancient traditions is the Crowning of Mary, one of which we have practiced at Holy Cross as well. This afternoon our Bishop will lead a May Crowning and Reconsecration of our Diocese and the Nation to our Blessed Mother. It will be live streamed following the noon Mass here around 1 pm. Additionally, he has filmed a message for the Diocese for the month May. You can watch that here.

Additionally, on April 25th Pope Francis wrote a letter to all the Catholics in the world asking them to pray for the rosary every day in May to end the Coronavirus Pandemic. His letter is included below:

LETTER OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS

TO THE FAITHFUL FOR THE MONTH OF MAY 2020

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The month of May is approaching, a time when the People of God express with particular intensity their love and devotion for the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is traditional in this month to pray the Rosary at home within the family. The restrictions of the pandemic have made us come to appreciate all the more this “family” aspect, also from a spiritual point of view.

For this reason, I want to encourage everyone to rediscover the beauty of praying the Rosary at home in the month of May. This can be done either as a group or individually; you can decide according to your own situations, making the most of both opportunities. The key to doing this is always simplicity, and it is easy also on the internet to find good models of prayers to follow.

I am also providing two prayers to Our Lady that you can recite at the end of the Rosary, and that I myself will pray in the month of May, in spiritual union with all of you. I include them with this letter so that they are available to everyone.

Dear brothers and sisters, contemplating the face of Christ with the heart of Mary our Mother will make us even more united as a spiritual family and will help us overcome this time of trial. I keep all of you in my prayers, especially those suffering most greatly, and I ask you, please, to pray for me. I thank you, and with great affection I send you my blessing.

Rome, Saint John Lateran, 25 April 2020

Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist

Pope Francis' two prayers can be found here. Watch the Crown Retreat Lesson on the Blessed Virgin Mary here.

It's Friday! Which means, we've got a new trivia quiz this week. Have you been following along? Test your knowledge and win House Points and get on the student Leaderboard.

• Elementary Trivia Quiz

• Middle School & High School Trivia Quiz

• Adult Trivia Quiz