It is gratifying to see a gradual, but noticeable, increase of people coming to Mass each weekend. Without a doubt, some are people who were away during the worst days of the pandemic, but are now feeling safe to gather again. Others are visitors; almost every week when I’m greeting people after Mass, visitors will introduce themselves to me. And perhaps there are even people who have simply decided to come to Mass after a long time away. Whatever a person’s stated reason for coming to Mass may be, underlying all other reasons is the call of the Lord. I pray that the Lord may call more and more people to our church, and I pray that those who hear his call will follow it.
All of this brings me to a very effective means that the Lord uses to call people to worship him: your invitation! Yes, you can be the voice of God in someone’s life just by inviting them to come to Mass. Readily we recommend movies that we like to our friends; we encourage them to go to shows we have enjoyed, and to visit websites that we find interesting; we invite them to parties and other gatherings. But when was the last time you invited someone to come with you to the greatest prayer, arguably the greatest event, on earth?
I bring this up today as Holy Week approaches. You will find the schedule of Holy Week liturgies in this bulletin and on the parish website. These liturgies are especially rich in meaning, and contain Scripture texts, prayers, ritual actions, and music that are particularly moving. Why not make it a special point this year to bring at least one guest to at least one of our Holy Week liturgies? A practical note: it’s best to invite someone now, at least a week in advance, before their schedule fills up with other things.
I look forward to seeing you, and your guests, at St. Edward the Confessor or San Felipe de Jesús, soon.
Gratefully yours,
