The Passion of Jesus Continues
The last days of Lent from the Fifth Sunday until Holy Thursday are known as Passiontide. In this time, we focus our prayer and contemplation on the Passion and Death of Our Lord. While these events recorded in the Gospels are historical facts, they are also “mysteries” that are charged with God’s love and grace and must not be considered as something over and done, thus relegated to the past. The Passion and Death of Jesus Christ are continuing in every age, in and through the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church, continuing to accomplish salvation for all people. We hear in the First Epistle of St. Peter these words: “Rejoice in the measure that you share Christ’s sufferings. When his glory is revealed, you will rejoice exultantly. Happy are you when you are insulted for the sake of Christ, for then God’s Spirit in its glory has come to rest on you” (4:13-14).
The sufferings we experience in our lives are to be embraced by us as we see that they are really a part of the Passion of Jesus. This means that we are immersed in and share in the mystery of Christ’s sufferings in a real and dynamic way and, by His will and mysterious plan, participate in the redemption that is made present through His Body the Church in our time. He calls us to be in union with Him as He makes His Passion and Death the continued outpouring of the Love and Mercy of the Father through the action of the Holy Spirit, a saving and redemptive work for us today and in every age. The sufferings of Our Lord were not over and done with two thousand years ago; they continue today. St. Paul teaches us in his Second Epistle to the Corinthians, “Continually we carry about in our bodies the dying of Jesus, so that in our bodies the life of Jesus may also be revealed” (4:10-11). This tells us that His Passion and Death are not defeat for Him or for us. Rather, they are the victory that is fulfilled in His Resurrection.
St. Paul wrote in his Epistle to the Colossians, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake and in my flesh, I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the Church” (1:24). This does not mean that the Passion and Death of Our Lord are in any way insufficient or lack anything for our salvation. Instead, it refers to the invitation God extends to us to participate in the mystery of His Passion and Death. He desires that by our own sufferings we become united to the great act of love and mercy that is His offering of Himself on the Cross for our Redemption. His suffering and death are all-sufficient, and we do not bolster His work. No, we offer our sufferings in union with His and, as a result, our sufferings are empowered by what He did for us. In a sense, we become channels of His grace and redemptive love that remain the one, unique source of our salvation.
So, we confess that how we grow in holiness as members of His Mystical Body the Church, how we offer ourselves and all who we are and do, in union with Him, can make a tremendous difference in our world that is so wounded and broken today. The Passion and Death of Christ continues in and through the Church today. Will we offer ourselves in union with His Sacrifice? Will we embrace the mystery and allow Him to use us for the healing and salvation of others?
Most Reverend William J. Waltersheid
Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh
Read on to find out what happened on the sidewalk today…
Nikki
The weather was gorgeous this morning, I didn’t even need a coat! Praise the Lord for a beautiful day to stand for life! Another blessing is that no one went into PP until almost 9am, when the first couple entered. They did take a blessing bag and a brochure, but seemed stony hearted. One other couple went in after that, and refused the gift and appeared to be laughing at us while standing at the desk. Another single girl, young and sweet accepted a blessing bag and brochure, and stood inside for a good long time (Glenn wasn’t there to check her in). She kept looking at the brochure, and then back at us. We were hoping she would come out, but she didn’t.
The downside of the warm weather is that it brings more zombie-like, completely drugged out individuals to the sidewalks. We are used to it, but I know it must be scary for people who come for the 40 days. I felt kind of bad for the three wonderful people from Sacred Heart parish, who faithfully prayed the entire time, because they did face some harassment from some very lost people. But they courageously pressed on with their prayers.
It occurred to me, as I stood there in the warm wind, holding the large “Abortion Kills a Human Being sign”, that evil is blowing through our culture in a very strong way right now, and if, as Christians, we do not “blow back” with at least a similar strength, we will be blown away by this evil wind. What we need now are strong, courageous Christians, who are willing to stand against the wind of our devastated culture, and to stand for Christ. Thank you for all who have done that during these 40 days!
Sue & Cheryl
(From Sue) – The 9-11 shift was relatively quiet…about 6 women went in and we tried to reach out as best we could. It felt good to have the sun shining down on us. There was a lot of car traffic today, so hopefully our signs were effective. Women started leaving at the end of the shift. I got the trifecta of middle fingers from cars…but it just doesn’t change the fact “abortion kills a human being” on the sign I was holding.
Linda
How nice to be able to enjoy spring weather at the end of our campaign!
Regulars Cheryl, Bob, Sam and Linda were joined today by Sam’s Knights of Columbus brothers from Uniontown, Tom and Ron.
It was a usual day on the sidewalk. Couples and women entered and exited Planned Parenthood, with no interest in taking any information that could help them.
However, I trust in the ultimate power of our prayers. Perhaps there was a baby saved today when a Mom just didn’t show up for her appointment?
We pray for the closing of Planned Parenthood. As we were reminded in yesterday’s Gospel for the Annunciation, “for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Linda
Cil, Carolyn & Fr. Jim
(from Cil) – Thanks to our faithful vigil buddies for being there again this week. Fr Jim drove Eva, Diane and I down. And Carolyn was already there with Our Lady. They prayed 2 Hail Mary’s and Divine Mercy. In addition to prayers for an end to abortion we also prayed for our dear prolife friend Joyce who will start chemo soon to shrink her tumor so they can operate. Praying also that it has not spread and for strength and peace. She was praying for our efforts from church back home. Glad to see her before we left…
We were blessed this week with parishioners from Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the North Hills. What a wonderful group! Fr Dans Mom, Rose, was there with Vince, a regular, and several others! They were in constant prayer covering the other side with 3 rosaries.
A man from Elk county stopped by with his son who leads a pro life group in his highschool. He wanted to show him what we do and spoke with our participants.
Many coming and going. Gave out several cards to passersby and a couple blessing bags. Some young couples seemed genuinely interested and thankful for the green brochure too. Who knows what lives are saved…
One older lady thanked us for being there and said when she was stupid and in her 20s she had an abortion. She didn’t know better. She knows she is forgiven now, prays… I gave her abortion healing brochure to share with others.
Sad to see some coming and going with children. One guy went in with a young couple and yelled at me for being in the circle. When he worked at PP a while back, we weren’t allowed. He had a long talk with Glynn inside and left with the couple. He said they were not there for an abortion.
It was ironic that the string of lights in front of PP are not lighting up. The others further down work. Glynn said that’s why workers were outside working on the poles.
We were glad to have beautiful weather for our last shift! Until next time… Prayers for all the year-round advocates! God bless you all!
Pete & Bill
So glad the 40DFL participants had a warm and sunny day today. As one witness wrote above, “Evil is blowing through our culture in a very strong way right now, and if, as Christians, we do not ‘blow back’ with at least a similar strength, we will be blown away by this evil wind. What we need now are strong, courageous Christians, who are willing to stand against the wind of our devastated culture, and to stand for Christ.” You, dear participants, did exactly that today as do all those “who throughout these 40 days.” Even though people still go throught the Portals of Perdition, who knows how many murders were prevented, in some unknown way, through your prayers and brave witness. God bless all who stand in the breach.