Faith Reflection: Mercy—The Beauty of Our Young
Whether you called the Laetare Sunday vestments worn by Fr. Erik rose or pink we are in the 4th week of Lent; we are very close to Easter Sunday and that is something to rejoice over. The rose vestments aren’t worn just to remind us to rejoice because we are more than half way through Lent. Seeing rose vestments can also startle us out of any Lenten routine that might have taken hold. Routines are good, but we can easily go into autopilot mode and forget why we are doing what we are doing. We can be so focused on avoiding the temptation to resume what we’ve giving up, or we can be focused on how can we continue with something we have chosen to add during Lent when faced with things that conspire against it, that we can forget the greater reason for our Lent journey; we are striving to be closer to our Lord. Our Lent sacrifices and routines are ways we can draw closer to Him who is our very center and rejoice in the knowledge that God is rich in mercy because of his great love for us (cf. Ephesians 2:4), but we must be attentive to our routines, not dulled by them.
Our 7th grader tells us ways to draw closer to God and prays that we all will strive to be closer to God for He has a plan for each of us and know what is best. Our 7th grader gives us much to rejoice over.
Religion Essay
by Alex C.
In our faith there are many things that can help strengthen and keep it active and living. One thing that can help this is by following God’s laws. This means to follow his Ten Commandments and to fulfill your duties to God. One example of this is how we should go to Church every Sunday. By doing this we honor God’s Third Commandment, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy” (Exodus 20:8). Another way we can do this is by following God’s calling for us. If God calls us to become a priest, teacher, deacon, doctor, or another profession, we should follow that call, as God has a plan and knows what’s best for us. We should also never use God’s name in vain. God tells us this through the Second Commandment and should always say his name with respect and admiration.
God also tells us how to live through the Bible. For example, we should pray often so that we can be more connected with God. This will help us to feel and be closer to God. Another way we can live the life God wants for us it by trusting in God. By doing this we are able to not worry about the past or future, but instead to focus on the present. We should also read the Bible often so that we can understand God’s message for us. We should apply these messages in the Bible to our everyday life. For example, if another person is being hurt or bullied we should always stand up for them, even if it is someone we dislike. We should strive to be like the Good Samaritan in Jesus’ parable.
I am striving to do all of these things to keep my faith active and living as well as stronger. I also do other things to strengthen my faith. For example, I am currently an altar server at Saint Bernardine Church in San Bernardino. I also help with the Religious Education program there. I go to mass at least once per week and attend a private school that focuses on religion.
My hope is that everyone will strive to be closer to God and to strengthen and keep their faith active and living. I also hope that God will help me to be closer to him and to help me understand his word.
Miss Morrison puts much thought into the Cinema For the Soul movie each month, and appropriately enough she has chosen Risen for this month on the edge of Easter. Come Thursday, March 22nd at 7:00p to the Olive parish hall for a manhunt that continues to this day…some search for this man to know him better while others join the manhunt to destroy him. All who seek will find him, what differs is how we each respond when he’s found.
This Saturday is the outdoor Mass of Life and Reparation on Commercenter near Planned Parenthood. Our Lady of Hope Pro-Life Committee invites you to join them at 9:00a.
Thank you, Mrs. Alhadef