Active Membership Pillar: Faithful Participation at Sunday Mass and Holy Days

In the Gospel of Luke for the first Sunday of Lent we heard Jesus turn back Satan’s temptation of earthly power with the words, “It also says, ‘You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.’” Luke 4:13. In today’s Gospel, those hypocrite scribes and Pharisees, for their part, are again trying to test Jesus by asking what he would do to the woman caught in adultery. This Gospel is full of questions for us. Where were the Pharisees hiding to catch this woman and for how long? What is Jesus writing on the ground? Would Jesus affirm the law of Moses? No. Jesus is, in His person, the law of Moses. He turns away the establishment effort to test Him and exert their power over the woman with the words, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Instead, He announces the new law of love and forgiveness in His words “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.” The woman left her encounter with Jesus not stoned or injured but forgiven and encouraged to reform.

We are in the home stretch of Lent. There are only two more weeks left. Faithful participation at Mass and reception of the sacraments are in our DNA as Catholics. Every Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning at Lumen Christi, we are given the opportunity for reception of the sacrament of Reconciliation. Consider bringing yourself before the Lord in this sacrament before Lent ends, saying you are heartily sorry and hearing those incredible words of forgiveness,” I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit”.