From the Pastor - 5th Sunday in Lent

April 1, 2022

Once again this week, we are reminded of what a loving and merciful God we serve. The theme of the readings for this fifth Sunday of Lent are summed up beautifully in today’s Gospel passage from Luke, which recounts the story of the woman caught in adultery. After all those who would have stoned this woman leave the scene, Christ says to her, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”


When we turn to God for forgiveness, He is indeed gracious and merciful. So much so, that not only will He forgive our sins without condemnation, He will make us completely new creations in Christ.


What is more amazing is that this all-perfect and holy God of ours draws so very near to us. Our sins do not drive Him from us, but rather to us so that He can set us free from them. Look carefully at Christ’s actions and posture in the Gospel reading as He deals with both the crowd of people, the Scribes and Pharisees, and the adulterous woman. “All the people started coming to Him and he sat down and taught them.” “He bent down and began to write with His finger.” He “straightened up” when He confronted the Scribes and Pharisees about their own sins. And he “straightened up” when He assured the woman that He did not condemn her for her past. Like a skilled teacher, or loving “big brother,” Christ bends down to where we are, He sits among us, He stands to confront us when needed and He stands to look us in the eye to remind us of our true dignity.


We’re all unworthy of the great privilege of serving Him. But that, quite simply, is cause for greater joy in serving Him with all our hearts. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2022


Pastoral Pondering

Over the past few weeks, I have been discussing the US Bishops Eucharistic Renewal. I thought it might be good to offer some anecdotal material that supports our understanding of the Lord’s presence in the Most Blessed Sacrament.


Monsignor Stephen Rossetti is a priest of the Archdiocese of Washington, DC. He holds degrees in psychology and theology. Several years ago he was designated the exorcist for the Archdiocese and opened the St. Michael Center to address these requests. He has been very intentional about publishing material to make the wider public, especially Catholics, more aware of the reality of spiritual battle. In his most recent post to his Exorcist Diary (#182), Monsignor Rossetti discusses how Satan witnesses to the sanctity of the Eucharist.

In a particular case the energumen (possessed person) had a very difficult time going to Mass or being able to remain at Mass. As the author says, “We could not get her to go (to Mass) without practically dragging her into the Church.” He goes on: “After months of exorcisms, she was much better, but getting her into the chapel was still a huge struggle.”


After she had participated in the right of exorcism a number of times, it was decided that a private Mass would be celebrated for her and her family. During the time leading up to the Mass, “They (the demons) manipulated her and everyone else, trying to sabotage the event…”. During the course of the Mass before Communion, the demons were acting violently in various ways. As the priest approached with Communion, the demons screamed, “You’re burning me!”. When she received Communion, with great effort and the assistance of her family, after swallowing and the conclusion of Mass, she returned to herself and was at peace. She said the demons were gone.

What’s important to understand from this is that the demons often become unintentional witnesses to that which is holy. They recognize the power of the sacraments and the sacramentals and react to them, e.g. the possessed screaming when exposed to holy water, or being unable to look at a crucifix. The response to the Eucharist, however, is a different and higher level. It is no coincidence that those who practice the dark arts often try to steal a consecrated host. They know that Christ makes Himself vulnerable in the little white host, and because of that they want to have it so that they can violate it and commit their sacrilege.



Understanding these spiritual realities, should fill each of us with awe and help us approach the Eucharist, whether at Mass or adoration, with an increased awareness of Who and what we find there. It is Our Lord and Savior, His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Do we believe? The demons certainly do

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - 2nd Sunday in Lent

By John Putnam • February 27, 2026
Our readings for this second Sunday of Lent offer us, as Christian stewards, the motivation to continue our 40-day journey toward deeper holiness. The first reading from the book of Genesis describes God’s call to Abram (who would later be called Abraham). God instructs Abram to leave his home and set out to a land that God had chosen for him. Abram’s response is an ancient example of good stewardship. Instead of clinging to his comfortable home and way of life, he recognizes that all he has is a gift from God, puts his trust in God, and obeys. And God rewards him, saying, “I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” To “be a blessing” is the true aim of a stewardship way of life. It is also an excellent way to live out the season of Lent. The sacrifices we take on, the spiritual disciplines we practice, and the extra acts of service we perform during this season — all give glory to God and transform our lives into a blessing for others. Lest we grow weary on this path, our Gospel passage today, from Matthew, offers us a powerful image of the great God we serve. It is the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus, when our Lord reveals Himself in His true glory and the Father says, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” The apostles who witnessed this were awestruck. But our loving Savior reassured them saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” As we continue our Lenten journey, let us take these two verses, “Listen to him,” “Rise, and do not be afraid” to heart. Let us rely on God’s strength to aid us in our spiritual disciplines as we move through Lent. We will arrive at Easter with deeper holiness, as a blessing to God and others — and as better stewards of all God’s gifts to us. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026) Pastoral Pondering Stewardship holds profound importance in Catholic teaching because it is fundamentally an expression of discipleship and a grateful response to God's immense love and generosity. Catholics believe that everything —our lives, time, talents, treasure (material resources), the earth itself, and all creation—belongs to God as the Creator and Owner. We are not owners but stewards , entrusted with these gifts to manage responsibly, not for selfish purposes but to honor God, serve others, and build His Kingdom. This concept is rooted in Scripture and has been articulated clearly by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in their 1992 pastoral letter Stewardship: A Disciple's Response. The bishops describe a Christian steward as one who: - Receives God's gifts gratefully - Cultivates them responsibly - Shares them lovingly in justice with others - Returns them with increase to the Lord  Stewardship is not optional for Catholics; it flows naturally from becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ. As the USCCB explains, "once one chooses to become a disciple of Jesus Christ, stewardship is not an option." It is a way of life that shapes how Catholics understand and live out their faith daily.

From the Pastor - 1st Sunday in Lent

By John Putnam • February 20, 2026
As we begin the season of Lent, the Church invites us into 40 days of renewal and refocusing. Lent is not only about giving something up, but about making room for God. For Christian stewards, this season invites us to reflect on how we are using the time entrusted to us. In the first reading, Adam and Eve turn their attention away from God and allow doubt to take root. Trust is replaced by self-reliance, and the harmony of the Garden is broken. These same temptations remain familiar when our days become crowded with distractions that pull us away from God. In the Gospel, Jesus shows us a different path. In the desert, He gives time to prayer and fasting, remains grounded in Scripture, and places His complete trust in the Father. By intentionally giving time to God, Jesus resists temptation and remains faithful. Lent invites us to do the same. By making space in our schedules for prayer, Scripture, and quiet reflection, we grow in trust and gratitude. When we place God at the center of our time, stewardship becomes a way of life, and our hearts are prepared to celebrate the joy of Easter. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026) Pastoral Pondering  Folks often asks the priests, “Father, how do you pray?” The question is not that different from the request the apostles made of Jesus in Luke 11:1-4 when they asked Him to teach them how to pray. There are lots of possibilities out there. One of those that I find particularly helpful is Lectio Divina or Divine Reading. What follows is a brief outline of the method that some may find helpful. In our busy lives, it's easy to read the Bible quickly or skim through it like any other book. But what if we approached Scripture not just to learn information, but to encounter God personally? That's the heart of Lectio Divina, an ancient Catholic practice of "divine reading" that transforms ordinary reading into a profound prayerful conversation with the Lord. Lectio Divina dates back to the early monastic communities, encouraged by figures like St. Benedict, and has been a cherished method in the Church for centuries. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church notes, it engages our thoughts, imagination, emotions, and desires to deepen our faith and draw us closer to Christ (CCC 2708). Today, it's experiencing a beautiful renewal as more Catholics rediscover this simple yet powerful way to let God's Word speak directly to our hearts. The traditional steps of Lectio Divina are four (sometimes with a fifth for action): 1. Lectio (Reading) Choose a short passage of Scripture—perhaps from the day's Gospel or a favorite psalm. Read it slowly, perhaps aloud, several times. Listen attentively, as if God is speaking the words to you personally. Pay attention to any word, phrase, or image that stands out or "shimmers" in your heart. This isn't about covering ground; it's about letting the Word sink in. 2. Meditatio (Meditation ) Reflect on what you've read. Ask: What is this passage saying? What does it reveal about God? How does it connect to my life right now? Ruminate on it like a cow chewing cud—slowly, thoughtfully. Let your mind and heart ponder the meaning, imagining yourself in the scene if it's a Gospel story. 3. Oratio (Prayer) Turn your reflection into a personal conversation with God. Respond honestly: Thank Him, praise Him, ask for forgiveness, seek guidance, or simply tell Him how the Word moves you. This is where prayer flows naturally from the Scripture—it's no longer just words on a page, but a dialogue with the living God. 4. Contemplatio (Contemplation) Rest quietly in God's presence. Let go of words and thoughts. Simply be with Him, allowing His love to envelop you in silence. This is the moment of resting in the peace that comes from encountering the Lord. Some traditions add a fifth step: **Actio (Action)**—carrying the grace received into daily life through concrete changes or acts of charity. Lectio Divina is for everyone—not just monks or scholars. You don't need hours; even 15-20 minutes can be transformative. Try it with the Sunday readings or start with a single verse like "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). Find a quiet spot, invite the Holy Spirit to guide you ("Come, Holy Spirit"), and open your heart. As Pope Benedict XVI encouraged, Lectio Divina helps us hear God's voice in Scripture and respond with our whole lives. In a world full of noise, this ancient practice invites us to slow down, listen deeply, and grow in intimacy with Christ. Why not give it a try this week? Your soul—and God—will thank you.