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Fr. Sam's Blog

SHOCK & AWE

4/14/2020

2 Comments

 
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​He has Risen Alleluia, Alleluia!
A most blessed Easter to all of you!
 
Because of our everyday distractions, not to mention the added attention on getting back to some kind of “normalcy” during our ongoing sheltering in place, it is easy to overlook the significance of Easter. This event is so important, so foundational, for the meaning of our Faith the Church celebrates Easter “day” for 8 full days! The entire Easter Season will continue for 50 days until Pentecost. So, during this Easter week, the one long glorious Easter Day, let us continue to rejoice. Scripture exhorts us - “This is the Day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.” (Psalm 118).
 
To rejoice in the mystery of Easter, we spend time meditating on what the Resurrection means for us. We intentionally pray for the grace to see that the supernatural event of our Lord’s Resurrection changed EVERYTHING! I argue the Resurrection radically altered even our human nature, who we are as human persons. It fundamentally changed our human condition, opening for us a new dimension in our existence so we can now share in Divine life of God, the Most Holy Trinity.
 
For us to be changed fundamentally, who we are as a person or in our relationship with another, it takes what I am calling a “shock and awe” event. When our mothers gave birth to us this was certainly a “shock and awe” event for them and for us. There was first the shock, for both mother and baby, of the pain of the birth process but then came the awe and wonder of the arrival of the newborn child. Similarly, although most of us don’t remember it, our baptism could be looked at in the same light. There was the shock of being turned our backs, held over a font, looking up at strange person pouring cold, or at best tepid water, on our heads. But then came the awe of being made a ‘new creation,’ an adopted child of God, mystically, yet really, sharing in the “shock” of dying and “awe” of raising with our Lord Jesus Christ, united to Him and having the life of Holy Spirit dwell in us.
 
We see a fundamental change in the behavior of the Apostles after they went through the “shock and awe” of our Lord’s Crucifixion and Resurrection. At first, as a result of the “shock” of our Lord’s arrest, trial, and death sentence, most of the Apostles flee and go into hiding for “fear of the Jews.” But, then something powerful, life-changing must have happened to them. In a short time, they are boldly, openly proclaiming the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and tell everyone He is the true “Lord and Messiah.” They experienced the “awe” (the major “awe”) in encountering the Risen Lord Jesus, and that experience had really changed them. They came to see and know through the “shock and awe” of the Lord’s death and Resurrection Jesus has opened a whole new dimension, a new infinite horizon for our once mortal and corruptible human nature. Our Lord’s Crucifixion and Resurrection is that ONE “shock and awe” event that completely changes our human condition, breaking open all the limits that previously prevented us from sharing fully in God’s Divine Life. With the Blessed Mother’s prayers, let us experience the AWE of our Risen Lord Jesus and rejoice in His Presence always.
2 Comments
Francesca Preston
4/14/2020 01:00:01 pm

Thank you Fr Sam for the reminders that we have been shocked into the Kingdom and are in awe of the transformation! I think of the Shroud and how forceful that shock was to that garment of death and now, looking at it, we are in awe. Thank you for shepherding us, feeding us, praying for us and always inspiring us to better see God and live a holy life. I am praying for you and our other parish priests each day. May God encourage your hearts and strengthen you for the task that lies ahead. Pax et bonum.

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O'Fallon Washing Machine Repair link
10/5/2022 04:05:53 am

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  • Our Parish
    • Mass Times
    • Parish Festival
    • Sacraments >
      • Holy Eucharist
      • Reconciliation (Confession) >
        • Examination
      • Confirmation >
        • Confirmation (Adult)
      • Anointing of the Sick
      • Baptism >
        • Pre Baptism Class English
        • Pre-Bautismo Clase en Español
        • pre-bautismo-2024
      • Marriage >
        • Marriage
      • Holy Orders
    • Consecration to St. Joseph
    • St. Joseph's Library
    • About Catholicism >
      • The Gospel
      • The Church
      • The Faith
      • Stewardship
      • Becoming Catholic/Returning to the Church
      • Defend the faith
      • More >
        • Novena for St. Joseph
        • Novena to blessed Carlo Acutis
        • Holy Spirit Novena
        • Mother of Perpetual Help Novena
        • Sacred Heart of Jesus Novena
        • 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit
        • Beatitudes
        • Catechism of the Catholic Church
    • Live Stream
    • STJMOD APP
    • Share your story
    • Prayer Request
    • Scholarships
    • Parish History
    • Bishop Cotta
    • Child and Youth Protection
  • Faith Formation
    • Enrollment
    • Sacrament Preparation
    • Family Faith Formation >
      • Circle of Grace
      • Program Information
      • Why Family Faith Formation
      • Online Resources
    • Adult Faith Formation >
      • Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
      • STJMOD Daughters of the King (Women's Faith Study)
      • St. Joseph's Workshop (Men's Faith Study)
    • Teen Faith Formation >
      • Sacrament Preparation
      • Becoming Catholic
      • High School Youth (Grade 9-12)
      • Middle School Youth (Grade 6-8)
      • Retreats
    • Children's Faith Formation >
      • Sacrament Preparation >
        • First Holy Communion Guidelines
      • Becoming Catholic
      • Adoration for Children
      • Children's Liturgy of the Word
      • Vacation Bible Retreat
    • Homeschool Families
  • News
    • Funerals
    • Events
    • About Voting as Catholics
    • Fr. Sam's Blog
    • Publications >
      • Parish Bulletin
      • Live the Faith Magazine
      • Promote your event
      • Stewardship Resources
    • World Record Attempt
  • Get Involved
    • Festival Stewards Sign Up
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    • Ministry Pages >
      • Josephs Juniors
      • Men's Workshop
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      • STJMOD Young Adult (Ages 18-25)
    • Eucharistic Adoration
    • Stewardship
    • Liturgical Ministries
    • Outreach Ministries
    • Community Life Stewardship
    • Youth Volunteers
    • Parish Leadership
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  • Contact Us
    • Staff Directory
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    • Survey
  • Donate Now