The Entire Thought

Converts of the 1st and the 21st Centuries

A few days before the death of Jesus, a woman approached him with an alabaster jar filled with costly perfumed oil, broke the jar and poured the oil on his head. It was her way of acknowledging that Jesus was the Messiah, which means “anointed one.” In spite of this outrageous gesture—or perhaps because of it—some of the onlookers became indignant, infuriated, and one of them even went off to betray his [former] master (cf. Mark 14:3-11). Thus begins Mark’s account of the passion of Jesus.

During the last six hours of his life, those passing by the cross of Christ reviled, mocked and kept on abusing him until even the sky seemed to be repulsed and turned dark in the mid-afternoon. But one man, a Roman centurion, stood facing Jesus; and when he “saw how he breathed his last he said, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God’” (Mark 15:39). This is the climax of Mark’s passion narrative. Between these two believers is sandwiched a host of characters with less commendable (but understandable) behaviors. Some plot to kill Jesus, some flee in fear, some give false testimony against him, one denies he ever knew him, some clamor for his crucifixion, one hands him over to be crucified and others execute this fatal order.

Amid all the confusion of doubt, fear and anger, these two converts of the first century pierce the darkness like stars. The woman shines her light of faith that Jesus is the Christ [Messiah], and the centurion shines his light of faith that Jesus is the Son of God. Both of these titles are placed together to form the title for Mark’s entire gospel (1:1). Just as people converted to Jesus back then in the face of much opposition, so do people convert to Jesus amidst the confusion of the twenty-first century. And we are blessed to welcome them into our Catholic family next weekend at the Easter Vigil.

Introducing our local stars:
Josh Goodpasture is a catechumen for Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist. He has been engaged to a Catholic and they plan to be married in September of 2009. His light is shining this year through the grace of four
sacraments.
John McArthur is a candidate for Confirmation and First Eucharist. He was baptized in another Christian denomination and has been married to a Catholic for fifteen years. His light is shining more brightly through the grace of their shared faith.
Ann McArthur is a candidate for Confirmation. She was raised as a Catholic and has attended the RCIA class for updating. She is shining the light of her faith by serving as the sponsor for her husband, John McArthur.
Joseph Ulrich is a candidate for Confirmation. He was raised as a Catholic and is attending Colorado Mountain College. He is trying his best to shine the light of our faith within the college snowboarding crowd.
Amy Sokolowski is a candidate for Confirmation. She was raised as a Catholic and is attending Colorado Mountain College. She has been shining her light at the CMC campus and by providing a good example to her niece who was recently baptized.

We have also had three other stars journeying with us this year who are not preparing for a sacrament of
initiation. They have taken the RCIA class to learn more about their faith.
Cassandra Stahl is the fiancé of Josh Goodpasture.
Charlie Wesley is newly returned to the faith and attends St. Martin’s Church.
Diane Kirkendall has been teaching in our religious education program for years.

Congratulations, Catholics of Routt County, for attracting these people to embrace our faith, either for the first time or more fully. Let us give thanks to God for raising them up, and pray that the flame of our Church will “mingle with the lights of heaven and continue bravely burning to dispel the darkness of this night” (Exsultet). Join us in
welcoming them at the Easter Vigil as we praise Christ, “the Morning Star that never sets.”

Fr. Ernest Bayer

Entire list of Thoughts While Pastoring