Dear Parishioners,

God does not desire anyone to suffer or lose their life. God has prepared a road map that clearly will lead a person through this life to eternal life. That road map is the person of Jesus Christ. Following the example of Christ will ensure that a person will not get lost along the way. Any other path, other than Christ, will only lead to one's own sad end.

Jesus' words are strong in today's Gospel. He said, "I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did." Jesus is referring to those individuals who stubbornly stay on their own path of sinfulness. The reason why some people might perish is because of the unwillingness to change the course of their direction.It is like the person who refuses to open their eyes while walking full force toward the abyss of a cliff. You call out to that person to no avail. You try and even place yourself in their path to stop them but to no avail. You do everything you can to persuade them to stop and change direction but to no avail. The obvious end result will be one's own destruction. Sadly, the course of free will does not always lead to good.

Repentance is recognition of one's own errant path. Repentance is like opening one's eyes to the true path that will lead to life. Repentance is recognizing that Jesus offers the only path that can bring about eternal life. Repentance is telling God that we are sorry about our stubbornness and that we are willing to change by God's grace. Repentance requires great courage and humility; to realize and admit that we cannot save ourselves. Only God can save through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Therefore, in the words of St. Paul, "Do not grumble as some of them did, and suffered death by the destroyer. These things happened to them as an example, and they have been written down as a warning to us, upon whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall."

God cannot force a person to open their eyes, ears and heart. However, the person who comes humbly before the Lord and is willing to change, that person will definitely experience not only pardon for all "iniquities" but grace for the true path of life.

My friends, make the decision during this Lent to change those behaviors that impede your progress to holiness. Forgiveness and grace is always available to those who are willing to receive. You cannot receive that which you are not open and willing to receive.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Father Tarantino
Pastor