Dear Parishioners and Friends,

The theme of today’s readings and Gospel is the word desire, occurring in different contexts, different meanings, not only literally, but also spiritually.  The Book of Exodus shows God’s care over the people of Israel, Moses’ actions and his agreement with God. In this text the term desire occurs in the popular sense, but at the same time becomes an opportunity to show how God responds to basic human needs. Moses, who became responsible for the people, asked God for help to satisfy their desires.  The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. (Ex. 17.5-6).

That desire of a typical human has been satisfied by the miracle God made through Moses. Although we are Christians, we are faced by the desire for God, the Eucharist, the desire for His love, His grace and His mercy. St. Paul in the letter to the Romans writes: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access [by faith] to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God.” (5.1-2).

In the Gospel, the word “DESIRE” appears with many meanings. In the conversation with the Samaritan woman, Jesus Christ, indicating the inconspicuous gesture of providing a cup of water to the thirsty, teaches us the meaning of mercy, understanding, love of neighbor and love of God. The words that He speaks, should be the signs of our earthly pilgrimage. May we reach the one and only truth, which we should repeat in our hearts: “We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.”(J4,42). We only hope that the desire of love, of mercy, of goodness will be ours. Lord, let us feel a lifelong desire of your presence, love, mercy and goodness, so that while walking Your way, we will remember Your sacrifice for us.

This Monday, March 20, Msgr. Władysław Podeszwik will fly to Poland. I thank him for his prayers, hearing confessions, the time and the joy he shared with all of us. Thank you all who have shown our Monsignor so much love, warmth and understanding. In particular, I thank Mr. Mark Jaczyński, who is, as usual, the sponsor of the ticket. I wish Father Monsignor Wladyslaw  “happy and safe traveling”.

May the Lord bless you all on this new week that is in front of us.  God Bless!