Check calendar weekly to note any changes that may occur!
Since ancient times people have sought reasons for suffering, often seeing it as divine justice: good deeds rewarded, sins punished. This view comforts us while we are well but fails when we are accused of causing our own misfortunes.
Jesus teaches his disciples that reality is more complex: evil and pain exist, but God's love is greater. We must not treat God like a vending machine expecting automatic rewards or punishments. While actions can have consequences (e.g., drunk driving causing an accident), we should not assume direct links such as blaming a child's blindness on sin.
Scripture (Job, Ecclesiastes) shows the righteous may still suffer; Christ and the martyrs suffered too. Before we judge others, remember: "For God created man for incorruption... and by the envy of the devil death entered into the world" (Wisdom 2:23-24). Ultimately God will prevail and "wipe away every tear" (Rev. 21:4).
When asked whether a man's blindness was due to his or his parents' sin (John 9:2), Jesus replies, "Neither... but that the works of God should be revealed in him" (John 9:3). Facing suffering, seek purpose more than cause: in trials God often works, and if we trust Him, suffering can become a place of grace.
How frequently should I go to CONFESSION?
The answer to this question is interrelated with the similar question---how frequently should we receive Holy Communion? The goal and purpose of the Christian life is to be united with the Lord, which can occur only as we become increasingly like Him, little by little. Therefore, since being united with Him in Holy Communion and overcoming our sins by frequent Holy Confession are very effective means (within a life daily prayer) of moving towards this goal of the spiritual life, ideally we should receive Holy Communion at every Divine Liturgy and go to Confession frequently. Let me ask you this question: How often do you see your doctor? Once a year… More often than that… If you are suffering from a physical illness you visit your doctor on more regular bases. Therefore in order to heal our souls and bodies we are to go to Confession on more regular bases. As a child I remember the practice of so-called “First Fridays' ', which encouraged the faithful to go to Confession on monthly bases. What we witness nowadays is the tendency to receive Holy Communion more frequently, but often without the adequate preparation that includes frequent Holy Confession. It is fairly common today that if a person receives Holy Communion every week, it is considered acceptable that they go to Confession just during the two penitential seasons (Philip’s Fast-Advent and Great Fast-Lent). We must remember that our sins make us sick in our souls (and sometimes bodies). Therefore, we need to visit our spiritual physician (our Father Confessor) and receive the “Medicine of Immortality” as frequently as possible, if we are to have any hope of overcoming our sins and receiving healing of our sin-sick souls and bodies. Let us strive to do the most possible to be united more fully with the Lord, rather than to settle for the least we can get by with. It is virtually impossible to love the Lord too much, or desire to be united with Him too much. Similarly, it is virtually impossible to receive Christ's Body and Blood too often, or to go to Confession too often, as long as we participate in these Holy Mysteries with sincere prayer and preparation.
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Join the Hazleton Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, Sunday, May 31 at 3:00 PM, at Saint John Bosco Church, 573 State Route 93, Conyngham, for a special 250th anniversary concert honoring our veterans, active armed forces and the spirit of our great country.
We hope to not only pay tribute to those who have served and sacrificed, but to come together in gratitude and in action.
As always, this performance will be free to the general public. In the past, your goodwill donations have helped us keep a roof over our heads and music in our folders. This concert, every goodwill donation received will be given to support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation which helps to provide aid to our nation’s heroes and their families.
Please join us and be part of an evening filled with heartfelt music, community and purpose!
Rev. Fr. Yevhenii (Eugene) Hradil, Administrator
Cantors: Monica Washko and Paul Komishock