Pentecost

Today we concluded the Easter Season with the Feast of Pentecost.  It seems like ages since I posted a blog, and indeed it HAS been almost a month.  As I reflected on this feast, and noticed that my last blog was about our parish Confirmation ceremony, I couldn't help but think of all those who received the Easter sacraments in the past 50 days.

Easter is all about the new life that is now ours because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  And the way to the Resurrection is through Jesus, by following his call and living his teachings.  And we get the assistance we need to do that, and persevere in that process, by the sacraments, most especially the Easter sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist.  Thus the celebration of these sacraments is most appropriate throughout the Easter season.

This year we had two new members received in to our church and two adults baptized, all at the Easter Vigil.  In addition, we had several infants baptized almost every week of the Easter season.  And we had three different 1st Communion ceremonies.  Plus there was the sacrament of Confirmation conferred, as I wrote last time.  How encouraging it is to see so many people journeying with the help of the church, ever closer to that gift of new life that Jesus has brought.  We acknowledged those present at Masses this weekend who received these Easter sacraments this year.

Now the church enters 'Ordinary Time' once again, and picks up the calendar from where we were when Lent began over 90 days ago.  But Ordinary Time is not really 'ordinary'.  For the events of our daily lives have a direct impact on how we spend eternity.  So, there is nothing ordinary about that.  Rather, we are encouraged to take advantage of the sacraments to help us remain on course.  We are called to follow the voice of the Lord in all things.  And through it all, we are midful that our Lord walks this path along with us.  For all this we are truly and eternally grateful.