Just prior to this week’s Passion narrative in St. Matthew’s Gospel, there is a small, striking story describing a woman’s scandalous action toward Jesus: “A woman came up to him with an alabaster jar of costly perfumed oil, and poured it on his head” (Matthew 26:7). The ointment was pure nard, worth more than 300 denarii. A year’s wages. Maybe a dowry, maybe a family inheritance. In any case, she breaks it. She does not measure or ration. She pours it all out, irreversibly, over Jesus. Why does this image begin Holy Week?
Because what she does with the jar, Jesus will soon do with his life. The jar must be broken so the fragrance can be released. Jesus’ body will be broken so his priceless divine and human love can be poured out. She gives everything, just as he is about to give everything. And He sees it: “She has done a good thing for me” (Matthew 26:10). Her act is lavish, impractical, scandalous in its apparent wastefulness. And he loves it. It is what Holy Week is all about.
What jar are you still holding onto? Your time? Your comfort? Your plan for how life should go? Don’t just wave palms today. Let yourself be broken open so your love, too, can be poured out.
Lenten Challenge: Offer something costly to Jesus this Holy Week — not out of guilt, but love. Your attention. Your forgiveness. Your time. Break the jar. Trust that nothing poured out for him is ever wasted. — Father John Muir ©LPi
General Mass Notes
Welcome
Good afternoon and welcome to St. Joseph,
As we begin our liturgy, we would like to extend a special welcome to everyone visiting our parish for the first time. We also warmly welcome all of you who are here today. We are so grateful and blessed to have you with us. As we settle in and prepare our hearts for Mass, please take a moment to make sure your cell phones are turned off so as not to disturb our prayer.
(Wait a few seconds to allow people to turn off their phones)
Let us now take a moment to prepare for Mass and open our hearts and minds to the message we will hear today. The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and for…
Please stand and greet those beside you.
Mass Intentions
Universal Prayer (Petitions)
A. For the Church, that our Holy Week celebrations may draw us deeper into the paschal mystery and strengthen our faith as we confess to the world that Jesus Christ is Lord, let us pray to the Lord.
B. For peace and reconciliation among all those who make their home in the Holy Land, that all leaders and organizations may renounce the use of violence, let us pray to the Lord.
C. That all nations may recognize the gift from God that human life is and reject the use of the death penalty at any time for any crime, let us pray to the Lord.
D. For our Jewish brothers and sisters, who celebrate Passover later this week, that it may be meaningful and joyful, let us pray to the Lord.
E. For our parish community, that, like Simon of Cyrene, we may assist others in carrying their crosses, let us pray to the Lord.
F. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.
Announcements
This Monday, the Chrism Mass will take place at the cathedral, and there will be no confessions at the Parish.
This Thursday, we begin our Easter Triduum with a bilingual Holy Thursday Mass at 7:00 p.m., followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in Redahan Hall until midnight. On Friday, services for the Passion of the Lord will take place at 12:00 p.m. in English, and at 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. in Spanish. The Spanish Stations of the Cross will take place at 3:00 p.m. in the school parking lot. On Saturday, we will celebrate our Easter Vigil with a bilingual Mass beginning at 8:00 p.m. There will be no confessions on these three days.
Our confession schedule has been modified beginning April 6. Confessions will be held on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at the same times.
