Come to Me to Have Life

March 22, 2012

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent

But Moses implored the LORD, his God, saying, "Why, O LORD, should your wrath blaze up against your own people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with such great power and with so strong a hand? Why should the Egyptians say, 'With evil intent he brought them out, that he might kill them in the mountains and exterminate them from the face of the earth'? Let your blazing wrath die down; relent in punishing your people. Exodus 32:11-12

The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf. But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form, and you do not have his word remaining in you, because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf. But you do not want to come to me to have life. John 5:36b-40

Piety

Father, as a new group of candidates gather tonight at Missionhurst, take away all barriers and distractions so that they will grow in friendship with the Lord. Jesus, open the doors of their hearts wide so that they will welcome you into their lives. Holy Spirit, warm them with your gifts so they will be set free in order hear his voice and harden not their hearts but harden their resolve to turn to the Lord for Life! Amen.

Study

As a new group of candidates and a team gather tonight at Missionhurst for a Cursillo Weekend, today's Gospel dressing down by Jesus gives us a lot to think about for their experience and our on-going Fourth Day journey. We do these things so that we will grow in friendship with the Lord.

The Cursillo is not an end in itself. The pursuit of piety, study and action is not some process that is divorced from the ultimate goal. The experience is not about the emotions of a morning song, a candidate's testimony at the closing or the joy of sisterhood and brotherhood that develops in the group. We do these things so that we will grow in friendship with the Lord.

Even these reflections brought to you by Fr. Joe and Beth and Colleen and Mel and I are just steps along the way. We do these things so that we will grow in friendship with the Lord.

As we set out on this Lenten Journey, St. Paul reminded us (2 Corinthians 5:20) that we have the responsibility to be ambassadors for Christ. That means we have an important job to do. We are the authorized representative of Christ of the highest rank carrying His message and friendship to the world.

"You search the Scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf. But you do not want to come to me to have life." We could add that we do not have eternal life through our piety. Nor do we have eternal life through our action. It is only through our kinship with Jesus that we come to this grace.

Action

Please work and pray to support the 134th Women's Weekend.

There are a few times remaining on the Palanca Clock for prayer to support the weekend. You can sign up here: http://www.arlingtoncursillo.org/134-womens-cursillo/palancaclock/.

Closing for the 134th Women’s Weekend will begin at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 25, at St. Joseph’s in Alexandria and will include Mass.

St. Joseph’s is located at 711 N. Columbus Street (north Old Town, one block west of the George Washington Parkway on Wythe Street). Parking and entrance to the basement social hall are behind the church. You’ll also find plenty of free parking on the streets around the church.

Please bring palanca of heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages!

PS: And don't forget to have your singing voices ready for Sunday morning.