‘What’s the buzz, tell me what is happening!’ An invitation has been sent out!

Over the last six weeks I have been privileged to journey with several groups and individuals through Lent and last weekend a number of the Elect and Candidates met for a retreat day in preparation for their initiation into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.

The careful planning of the day provided the opportunity for faith sharing from those already initiated into the Catholic Church on their personal experience of the sacraments.

One reflection from a recent convert was, “I always felt there was something missing, I never felt like I ‘got it’, I always felt there was something more. Then I found the Catholic Church. The seven sacraments are divine acts on us, not of our own doing, but God inviting us to experience   his grace to us through the sacraments. Baptism is a grace that God extends to us to wash away original sin and make us children of God, part of his divine family, with the goal of us actually becoming saints! It’s an amazing gift, not earned or deserved, but given purely in love. The Catholic sacraments have made God more visible and brought the faith alive to me in a multi-dimensional, mystical way.”

Another who was a cradle Catholic reflected on their experience on the Eucharist and how they have come to learn it is more than just a ritual action. “Eucharist means thanksgiving, a prayer that gives thanks to God for salvation that the world experienced through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The prayer recalls Jesus’ actions at the last supper, to do this in memory of me. The invitation to encounter Jesus is a gift given, not a reward earned. When I say “Amen” I am saying yes to the real presence of Jesus in my life. This presence can be seen, tasted and touched, the bread and wine have been transformed into the body and blood of Jesus. The act of love in which Jesus died and rose is what we remember each time we celebrate the Eucharist, for me the Eucharist is a sacrament of love and this extends into my life and ministry.”

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit strengthened through Confirmation were explored. The biblical origin of the seven gifts is found in prophet Isaiah (11:1-3) where he foretold the qualities of the Messiah and in turn these are the qualities we receive at Baptism and are strengthened through Confirmation.

It is this strength that is needed as we enter Holy Week and reflect on the scripture commencing on Palm Sunday.

The visual images we imagine through the scripture; seen in musicals, movies and series, of Jesus riding on a donkey and being welcomed by hundreds of his followers’ singing songs of Hosanna in the highest and waving palms creates the ultimate paradox of what is to come.

This week invites us to remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us all. It is also a reminder for us here and now of how we should treat one another to develop strong, right relationships that are built on the values that Jesus demonstrated in word and action. Not relationships that tear each other down, are spiteful, malicious or resentful.

This Holy Week presents us all an invitation to listen, learn, love and live.