We believe, yet...

Palm Sunday
Next weekend we’ll have our special Palm Sunday schedule. to accommodate the large crowds (pretend it’s Jerusalem in the time of Jesus) we’ve altered the usual Sunday Mass schedule. Please pay careful attention to the schedule.
In particular, the “Family Mass” will not be held in the church at 10am, but rather begin with the blessing of palms at Drexel Ave School with a procession to Code Auditorium.
We welcome our many visitors with the St. Brigid hospitality that we’re famous for. Sure, you might not have your “regular” seat, but it’s not being taken by an enemy -- it’s filled by another brother or sister of Jesus -- and his family (which is our family) is always welcome -- even when we have to stand.
Let’s rejoice as more people come to pray..

e-mail Father Ralph:

Past Columns:
March 2: Oil or Mud
February 24: What are you thirsting for?
February 17: Who are You Wearing?
February 10: Just Say No
February 3: The Power of the Cross
January 27: How I Turned Out
January 20: Being Safer
January 13: Conversations in 2008
January 6: Matthew's Magi
December 30: Matthew's Magi
Christmas 2007 Homily

Columns from 2007

Columns from 2006

Columns from 2005

Columns from 2004

Columns from 2003

Columns from 2002

Columns from 2001


		March 9, 2007 We believe, yet...
Palm Sunday Next weekend we’ll have our special Palm Sunday schedule. to accommodate the large crowds (pretend it’s Jerusalem in the time of Jesus) we’ve altered the usual Sunday Mass schedule. Please pay careful attention to the schedule. In particular, the “Family Mass” will not be held in the church at 10am, but rather begin with the blessing of palms at Drexel Ave School with a procession to Code Auditorium. We welcome our many visitors with the St. Brigid hospitality that we’re famous for. Sure, you might not have your “regular” seat, but it’s not being taken by an enemy -- it’s filled by another brother or sister of Jesus -- and his family (which is our family) is always welcome -- even when we have to stand. Let’s rejoice as more people come to pray.. e-mail Father Ralph: Past Columns: March 2: Oil or Mud February 24: What are you thirsting for? February 17: Who are You Wearing? February 10: Just Say No February 3: The Power of the Cross January 27: How I Turned Out January 20: Being Safer January 13: Conversations in 2008 January 6: Matthew's Magi December 30: Matthew's Magi Christmas 2007 Homily Columns from 2007 Columns from 2006 Columns from 2005 Columns from 2004 Columns from 2003 Columns from 2002 Columns from 2001	Throughout the weeks of Lent children from our school have been preparing symbols of baptism that are connected to the Sunday gospels. This week the theme is “We believe.” What kind of symbol says that? Our artists came up with drawings of people standing or kneeling as a sign of their belief. In so many ways they are right -- belief can’t be captured in a symbol like oil or water -- belief only exists in people’s lives. In today’s gospel, Martha, the sister of the recently deceased Lazarus, says that she believes in Jesus as the resurrection and the life. She says this with such fervor that we do not doubt her for a moment. Yet at the very time that Jesus goes to show his life-giving power, Martha wavers. “Take away the stone, “ Jesus orders, when standing in front of Lazarus’ tomb. Instead of rejoicing with the possibility of new life for her brother, Martha objects: “Lord, it has been four days now. Surely there will be a stench!” You see -- she believes, but to a point. Her fear that the opened tomb would dash her hopes of her brother’s return to life overcame her belief that Jesus was the lord of life. But Jesus reassures her (and us) that he indeed can show us the “glory of God” even at the darkest moments of death. So they trust, and roll back the stone and Lazarus is called back to life. We’re only two weeks away from Easter. On Easter Sunday we’ll stand together and say “I DO!” when asked if we believe. And we DO believe yet...perhaps like Martha our belief can waver at moments of death (literal or figurative) when we’re asked to act on pure faith in Jesus. Today’s gospel helps us to be more secure in this faith.