Homilies From St. Patrick Catholic Community

Jesus heals a man blind since birth. And there were people who were not happy about it. Amazing. Jesus breaks down barriers put up by religious, social and cultural rules and the Pharisees look for every excuse to put up barriers than Jesus torn down. What is Jesus teaching his followers in breaking down such barriers?

Jesus and his disciples risk physical harm entering Samaria. It took three days to go around it or one day through it. Jesus chooses to go through Samaria. The Jews and Samaritans hated each other. Jesus breaks all barriers to meet a Samaritan women at the well. Today's lesson from John's Gospel is to avoid the evil of exclusion.

Problem solving is essential to human relationships. We are best at it when we are invested for a good outcome. All 3 readings today give us examples how Christians problem solve the challenge of living a faith filled life.

Fr Eric shares an interesting story about the life of the 31st President Herbert Hoover. His life saw good works, reputation ruined and redemption was found, by saving millions of people around the world. His redemption story is our story as well. Lent reminds us that we "make up" for our sins by caring for others. A powerful message for everyone as Lent begins.

An old saying we might have heard- The Future is Now- meaning live the future now, live now what we hope for. The teachings of Jesus only make sense when we know the future is more real that the present. Live now what Jesus is asking of us.