Fr. Simon's Letter - April 7, 2024

We were blessed to have a wonderful day as we celebrated Easter - not just Easter but the entire Triduum. These three most sacred days in the Church awaken in us a new appreciation of the liturgies of these days that are rich in symbolism and meaning and are beautiful expressions of our faith. It takes extra effort and attention to detail to preside at these liturgies. First, I am grateful to all of the priests who prepared and celebrated these days with the dignity, devotion, and diligence they require.

Music during these days sets the mood, raises our spirits, and lifts up celebration to the heavenly realms. I want to thank our music director, Dr. Ken Sotak, our cantors, John, Julie, Lisa, and Paul, and our choir members for all of the preparation and hard work that helped us raise our prayers and praise in song. Your efforts have been worth it!  

I want to thank our army of ushers for the gift of their time and patience as they helped parishioners and visitors who came to the basilica services. I also want to thank those many people who step forward to see to the details of these days, including our group of basilica helpers who diligently clean the basilica on Saturday mornings,  sacristans, lectors, Eucharistic ministers and volunteers who help livestream our events, and those whose efforts support our participation in these liturgies. I want to extend a special word of thanks to Paul Scavone, who ensures that the liturgies of the Triduum are truly for the faithful. They are not just a well-organized celebration but an experience of the mysteries of our faith.

Every year after the Christmas and Easter seasons, Mary Asnis and Gia DiCarlo always look at new ways to enhance the beauty of the basilica sanctuary and surroundings. They spend long hours throughout the year planning, carrying around plants, and hauling full containers of water long after everyone else has gone home. On behalf of the entire parish, I am grateful to them and their band of helpers for creating an inviting and serenely beautiful worship space for the Easter season. THANK YOU!!

On the Sunday after Easter, we will always hear the account of Jesus surprising his disciples after his resurrection. We are told, "The doors were closed in the room where the disciples were for fear of the Jews." Their fear was real, perhaps even close to panic, but that was not all. They were totally confused by the news of the empty tomb. John believed, but the rest could not make sense of it. They felt disillusioned and guilty – perhaps even angry at themselves or even at the absent Jesus.

“Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you’." What did that say about Jesus? It tells me that he was obviously quite at peace himself, at peace, too, with these truly guilty men. How could he be at peace after they had totally let him down? How could he be so much at peace that he wanted them to share his peace? Ultimately, it reflects his usual stance towards others. He loved people because that was the way he was. He loved everyone, anyone, just as they were – innocent, guilty, cowardly, brave – consistently, unconditionally. In this context of their guilt, loving means forgiving. In place of fear, shame, and confusion, peace filled their hearts, and with that peace, love, forgiveness, and joy. 

Despite their breakdown and obvious inadequacies, Jesus continued to trust them and entrust them with what was most precious to him, his mission. “As the Father sent me, so am I sending you!” And to make that mission quite clear, he handed them the Spirit that enlivened him, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of love. He drew them into what he saw as his mission – his work of forgiveness above all, and his persistent and insistent welcoming of sinners.

It is also the Sunday designated by the Church to celebrate Divine Mercy. Divine Mercy exemplifies the consequences of Christian faith. A key consequence of Christian belief is asking for forgiveness from God and our neighbors and, in turn, offering that forgiveness to those who offend us. We do so in the true and certain knowledge that God’s forgiveness will be granted. Christian faith cannot be limited to acceptance of the physical resurrection, and seeking forgiveness cannot be separated from offering forgiveness. A key aspect of divine mercy is forgiving those who sin against us. In doing so, we become conduits of divine mercy to others. Again, being prepared to forgive others is a consequence and an essential part of the Christian faith.

Saint John Paul II proclaimed that divine mercy is our only hope. So, seeking forgiveness and forgiving others is not an optional extra to Christian faith. Mercy is an intrinsic part of our faith. Mercy is how our humanity will be restored. Ultimately, then, mercy is how Christ's goodness is communicated to us and to others through us. Divine goodness and, therefore, Christ's goodness is about restoring our humanity, making us fully human, and bringing us to the end that God intended for us. Mercy is how we are saved. Mercy is central to the Christian faith.

Blessings!!