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FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK……
MARCH 21, 2004
Dear Fellow Parishioners,
"New And Improved!" How often have you heard this description used in an advertisement concerning a specific product that has been around for a long time. Advertisers think that these are somehow magical words that will automatically increase sales. My dad didn't like tampering with the tried and the true. He would often say: "If it isn't broken, don't fix it!" He felt that there were certain things in life that just cannot be improved upon and are better off left the way they are. I remember when Coca-Cola a number of years ago tried to change their formula and come up with a newer version of that popular drink --- even adding a different color. People like my dad wouldn't go for it. So, the company was forced to go back to their original formula and "Coca-Cola Classic" was born. Some things are better off left alone.
In our spiritual life, however, "new and improved" is a continuous call for us baptized Christians who attempt to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. St. Paul tells us in today's second reading: "WHOEVER IS IN CHRIST IS A NEW CREATION; THE OLD THINGS HAVE PASSED AWAY; BEHOLD, NEW THINGS HAVE COME. AND ALL THIS IS FROM GOD…" (See 2nd Corinthians 5: 17-18)
This is also the goal of our Lenten journey symbolized often by the butterfly. Butterflies enter life as caterpillars who are fuzzy homely- looking creatures who crawl on the ground. When the caterpillar goes into the cocoon, a wonderful transformation takes place and it emerges as a beautiful multicolored butterfly that no longer has to crawl on the ground but can take wing and bring joy to others. The forty days of Lent are meant to be our "spiritual" cocoon. By entering into the Easter process of dying to our old life of selfishness and sin and rising to a new life centered on Jesus & others in a generous spirit of self-giving, we can become "spiritual butterflies" this Easter and bring joy to others.
The Lord encourages us to enter into this process with the parable of the Prodigal Son in today's Gospel reading (See Luke 15: 1-32). Like the prodigal son, let's take the risk of being reconciled with God, our heavenly Father, and others this Lent, and we'll be "new and improved" this Easter!
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Raymond J. Tintle, OFM
Pastor
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