It’s common for Catholics to hear the question, “Why do I have to go to a priest to have my sins forgiven?” I’ve never liked that question because not only is it clunky (confession is the ordinary way for the pardoning of serious sins, not lesser ones). But it misses the larger context: the wonderful origins of the sacrament itself. And this context is deeply Jewish.
Ancient Jews associated forgiveness of sins with priests offering sacrifices in the Jerusalem temple. It was a solemn, public, and tangible way to access God’s mercy. So when the risen Jesus breathes on the Apostles and says, “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained” (John 20:23), the upshot is remarkable: he is the new temple and his Apostles are the new priests. Jerusalem is no longer the place to find forgiveness from sin. Jesus’ body, the Church, is.
So why should we go to the Sacrament of Confession? For the same reason ancient Jews went to the temple in Jerusalem: to experience the intimacy, joy, and life-giving power of God’s eternal forgiveness. — Father John Muir ©LPi
General Mass Notes
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Welcome
Welcome to our Eucharistic Celebration on this Second Sunday of Easter.
Before we begin our Mass, we'd like to ask that you not park at the Ralphs parking lot, or in the entire lot, since they are towing cars.
The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and...
Please stand for our procession.
Mass Intentions
Saturday, April 26
5:00 PM
Lauri Lopez • †
Emauel Stolaroff • †
Jospedito Cayetano• †
Wilton Garcia • †
Robert Sanchez • †
Fleurdelise Arevalo • †
Benjamin Baltazar • †
10:45 AM
Alfonso Martinez • †
12:30 PM
Ana Maria Lopez • †
Alvaro Gomez • Birthday
Sandra Gomez • Birthday
Denisse Zapata • Birthday
Estela Loza • Birthday
Universal Prayer (Petitions)
A. That Pope Francis, called to the heavenly kingdom by the Lord, may rejoice forever at the banquet table of heaven. Let us pray to the Lord.
B. For world leaders, that they may do everything in their power to bring peace to places where it is absent and strengthen it in places where it is fragile, let us pray to the Lord.
C. That the peace of Christ, which he offered at once to all of his disciples, may take root in our hearts so that we can extend it to everyone we know, let us pray to the Lord.
D. That those suffering from chronic illness, whether physical or mental, may find comfort in the healing presence of God, let us pray to the Lord.
Announcements
1. The Parish school is hosting a Dodger community night fundraiser. For every ticket you buy for a home game on June 21, a small percentage will go to our Parish school. Tickets can be purchased at our Parish center.
2. We thank Gabriel Estrada and his cabinet company G&R for sponsoring our bulletin; their information can be found on the last page of our bulletin. If you have a business and would like to sponsor our weekly bulletin, you can call the phone number at the bottom of the last page.
