Together on the Journey: A Weekly Word from Archbishop Hebda
Yesterday, we began a period of Lent, traditionally known as Passiontide, marked by even greater solemnity and sobriety. Perhaps your parish veiled its crucifix with purple cloth, reminiscent of Jesus’ hiding in the eighth chapter of John’s Gospel (Jn 8:56). If you were at Mass today, you might have noticed a change in the Preface. Throughout this week, the priest uses not the normal Lenten Preface but “Preface I of the Passion of the Lord,” focusing on the “wondrous power of the cross” and the “authority of Christ crucified.” It’s a subtle change but significant.
Yesterday’s Gospel, recalling the raising of Lazarus, lays out the event that would have been the final straw for the authorities of Jesus’ day. The mere presence of the once-dead and entombed Lazarus in the marketplace and in the synagogue would have been a daily reminder of Christ’s power and authority—unlike any other’s. Can you imagine how persuasive Lazarus’ testimony would have been? While his sisters, Mary and Martha, are famous for teaching us about the contemplative and active dimensions of our faith, Lazarus serves as an icon of what it means to be an evangelizing disciple, giving witness through our lives to what Christ has done for us.
In the context of Lent as a season of preparation for those entering the Church this Easter, the Gospel of Lazarus would underscore that Jesus is indeed able to give us new life, especially through Baptism. For those of us who are already Catholic, Lazarus serves as a powerful reminder of the new life that we have truly been given in Baptism and of our calling to give witness to how Jesus has broken into our lives and offered us life and mercy.
That call to give witness was at the center of this weekend’s Archdiocesan Men’s Conference. More than 500 gathered at the newly renovated St. Elizabeth Ann Seton church in Hastings to receive a stirring call to action from Catholic evangelizer Doug Barry. I considered it a great privilege to be able to celebrate Mass for those assembled and was inspired that so many attended.
The two major addresses called us to be witnesses to Christ’s action in our lives, especially to the members of our families, and particularly by recognizing Jesus as the “one thing necessary,” as our Lord instructed Lazarus’ sisters, Martha and Mary. I appreciated the concrete suggestions that were offered for how the men of this Archdiocese could give witness to their wives, children and other family members concerning the centrality of Christ. I particularly appreciated that the conference picked up the important priorities of our Archdiocesan Synod implementation: “Parents as Primary Educators of the Faith” and “Reclaiming Sundays.” I left grateful for all that the Lord is doing in this local church and recharged with Lenten energy for Passiontide, and for the call to recognize the “wondrous power of the cross.”
Let’s be sure to pray for each other in these last two weeks of Lent, and especially for those preparing for the Easter sacraments. Moreover, as Pope Leo has asked us, let us continue to pray in these days for those who are intensely experiencing the cross as the result of the conflicts in the Middle East and in Ukraine and for those who are working to bring peace into those troubled areas.
Locally, the weight of the cross is undoubtedly heavy for the family of Nicole M. Amor of White Bear Lake, who lost her life in the service of our nation in Kuwait and was recently laid to rest at Fort Snelling. May she be blessed with the new life of Christ’s resurrection and may her husband, children, family and friends experience the consoling and life-giving presence of Christ as they share in his passion. Just as Jesus wept at the death of Lazarus, I am confident that our compassionate Lord shares in the tears of Nicole’s family and of all who mourn the loss of loved ones in these conflicts.
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