Pilgrims of Hope: Journey to the Cross

03-09-2025Weekly ReflectionFr. Fred Adamson

Dear Parishioners,

Our Lenten journey has begun after being marked with Ashes this past Wednesday. As we walk the Lenten path this year, we will focus on being Pilgrims of Hope – Journey to the Cross. Hope in the Cross seems strange to nonbelievers. For Christians, we never look at the Cross without remembering that His suffering and death led to the Resurrection and new life. In some ways, we look through the Cross and to the gift of eternal life. Easter is our hope.

As we look to the Cross this year, I invite you into the deep mystery of our Christian call to die to sin, selfishness, anger, resentment, grudges, greed, impurity, gossip, and anything that keeps us from fully experiencing the peace and joy of being in right relationship with Jesus.

To help our focus this year, we have a simple wooden Cross in the Sanctuary. There are small pieces of paper for you to write one area of life you would like to let go of this Lent that is keeping you from the full hope and joy of the Lord. Just one thing in your life, not someone else’s—not prayer intentions for the sick, but one specific area of weakness you hope can be redeemed on the Cross so you can be set free by His saving grace.

For example, if you struggle with anger—write that down and place it in the basket at the foot of the Cross. Then, at every Sunday liturgy, these individual, personal areas for growth in holiness will be hung on the Cross. They will remain there for the full season of Lent and then be placed in the Easter fire at the Vigil. We can trust that through the love of the Cross, many graces happen for new life, new strength, and new attitudes.

Join your struggle to Jesus and be confident that He is the one who will heal us. Of course, every Lent is a season for growth, repentance, and turning toward the Lord. This is not a time for an easy fix of our problems and shortcomings but, rather, a way to unite our own sufferings with the sufferings of the Lord. We invite His love to transform the pain, suffering, and challenges of our weakness. We surrender and trust that He is with us and brings new life. We are Pilgrims of Hope on a journey to the Cross—it is our hope.

Next week, Bishop James Wall from the Diocese of Gallup will be preaching all the Masses and then giving a Lenten talk on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings starting at 6:30 PM. You can come to one or all of the sessions. This time is often referred to as a Parish Mission Retreat. It is meant to help us focus during Lent on the power of God’s graces to work in our lives.

We come to listen and trust that each of us will hear what we need to hear this year to grow closer to the mystery of His love. I know for myself these parish mission retreats have been transformational. In fact, one planted a seed of my vocation as a young professional man. Just show up and soak it in. Come with an open heart and open mind to the Lord and His amazing grace.

Bring a friend, neighbor, or coworker. Come as a family or a couple. I pray that this time will bring us closer in our relationship with the Lord and with one another as we grow as disciples of Jesus.

To help us on our journey, I will remind you of the many other Lenten offerings. Look them over and find one that fits for you. If you try to do them all, you may find it overwhelming. I counsel people to choose one or two and commit to them. Let the Lord guide you. The center page of the bulletin is where you will find the different offerings throughout the Lenten Season.

Finally, we are once again offering a phone wallpaper for you to help you stay focused this Lent on the Cross. As we pick up the phone, it reminds us of the journey, our commitments, but most importantly the great love of Jesus on the Cross. It is available on our webpage as well as being shared through Flocknote to all members.

May this Lent be a time to repent and grow through the Cross of Jesus. We are Pilgrims of Hope focused on the Cross.

Hope in Him,

Fr. Fred