And Jesus said, “But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will perish.” Strong, seemingly threatening words Jesus uses in an attempt to convey the significance of God’s mercy. Rather than a forceful edict attempting to control and subdue individuals, Jesus’ strong words are an invitation to recognize our self-centeredness, and humbly seek God’s merciful forgiveness. At any time in our lives regardless of the sins we have committed, God extends his hand of mercy, if we are willing to accept—with humility—His invitation, and path forward. Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s Second Homily given as Pope Francis—March of 2013–provide a glimpse of how the Holy Spirit would guide the actions, outreach and words of his papacy:
Jesus has this message for us: mercy. I think—and I say it with humility — that this is the Lord’s most powerful message: mercy …. It is not easy to entrust oneself to God’s mercy, because it is an abyss beyond our comprehension. But we must! “Oh Father, if you knew my life, you would not say that to me!” “Why, what have you done?” “Oh, I am a great sinner!” “All the better! Go to Jesus: he likes you to tell him these things!” He forgets, he has a very special capacity for forgetting. He forgets, he kisses you, he embraces you and he simply says to you: “Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more” (John 8:11). That is the only advice he gives you. After a month, if you are in the same situation …. Let us go back to the Lord. The Lord never tires of forgiving: never! It is we who tire of asking his forgiveness. Let us ask for the grace not to tire of asking forgiveness, because he never tires of forgiving. Let us ask for this grace.
Our Lenten journey offers us the opportunity of fasting, renewed prayer, and almsgiving alongside the calling of reconciliation: God’s forgiving mercy, penance and a spirit of peace. As the students within our Religious Ed programs and Sacred Heart Catholic School are offered the opportunity of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, so will the adults be given the invitation to receive the Confession. Regardless of age, whether single or married, saintly or stumbling in our faith, we are all sinners and invited to receive God’s mercy and forgiveness.
Next Sunday, March 30, we are offering the Lenten Communal Penance Service: 1:00pm at Sacred Heart, and 3:00pm at St. Malachy. In addition, parents (and other adults) are welcome to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation with the Religious Ed students on Wednesday, April 9th, at Sacred Heart church, from 5:30pm through 8:30pm. 
 
With the help of retired priests, Fr Tim Schott and our native son, Fr. Craig Collison, there will be ample opportunity to receive this ‘gift’ in preparation for Easter and beyond. In addition, the Sacrament is offered prior to the Saturday evening Mass at Sacred Heart, one half hour before the Sunday morning Mass at St. Malachy, and following the 10:00 Mass at Sacred Heart.
Our early ‘church father,’ St. Augustine, who knew of God’s mercy first hand with his life of petulance, describes the grace that changed his life course: “Trust the past to the mercy of God, the present to His love, and the future to His providence. . . .Two works of mercy set a person free: Forgive and you will be forgiven, and give and you will receive.”
Congratulations to the Madrid Tigers boys basketball team who won the state championship last Friday, ending the season with an undefeated record. As Michael Jordan relates: “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.”
Spring has arrived after a few bouts of winter’s last vestiges. And with the 20th of March, the upcoming full moon, “The Pink Moon” on the 13th of April, provides the setting of Easter on the following Sunday closest. Determined by the moon cycle (the Sunday following the first full moon following the first day of Spring) the latest date for Easters is April 25th; the earliest, March 22nd.
Lord God, Source of all Creation, help us to use this newly revived Springtime season to revive a newness in our hearts, a freshness of your Spirit in our lives. Help us to respond to life with mercy, meekness, consideration; as Jesus did. As we live day by day, remind us of the beauty of Spring, new beginnings within us and in the lives of those around us. Place those in our path that need help to witness your grace within the renewal of creation. Present us with situations where we can support one another, teach us what to pray on behalf of others, and give us wisdom to live with courage alongside your Son’s compassion. Because Jesus lives, and we live with him. Amen.
God Bless, Fr. Tim 
 
FYI: “Teach me to feel another's woe, to hide the fault I see, that mercy I to others show, that mercy show to me.” (Alexander Pope)