A “Damascus” Moment

When was the last time you admitted you were wrong? Can’t remember? Is it possible that you have been that right for that long? More likely it is simply that it is hard to admit that we are wrong.

It can be a devastating moment when we have to face the truth that we were wrong about our judgment of an individual, that we were wrong in our understanding of some issue, that we were wrong in the way we handled a situation. St. Paul knew this very well indeed!

In the Scripture we are told that on Saul’s [St. Paul] journey to Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” In that moment of blinding reality, he came to understand for the first time the pain and the hurt his persecution of Jesus’ followers had caused. What made it all the more difficult is the fact that he thought he was doing the right thing.

I think that perhaps many of us need a “Damascus” moment. Maybe it has been the events of this past year or our sense of uncertainty for the future or just our lack of inner peace, but whatever its cause, many of us may have lost focus of what is right in God’s eyes. We could use a time when we come to clearly see that our anger and mistrust is misplaced or that our judgement isn’t as accurate as we thought. We need to be “blinded” by God’s light now and then, in order to see beyond our fears and self-interests and realize the truth.

Learn a lesson from St. Paul; that God’s truth can heal and empower us. Let’s not be afraid to step back and take a “Damascus” moment. Take time for Christ to enlighten us: to see where our anger is getting the better of us or to recognize that we are failing or to see the other side of the equation or to remember that this individual who is the target of our anger is a son or daughter of God.

After his “Damascus” moment, St. Paul accomplished marvelous things. Once his eyes were opened he could do God’s will and so can we. However, we will have to be open to our “Damascus Moment.”

Father Don

Special Notes:

--As we celebrate the year of St. Joseph, and on May 1st the Feast Day of St. Joseph the Worker, please consider praying this petition.

Through the intercession of St. Joseph, Patron of Workers, may

governments and businesses support fair wages for all women and men, and assist those looking for work.

MOTHER'S DAY CELEBRATIONS:

--The WAY Group will be selling Mother’s Day hanging baskets on Saturday, May 8th at the front of the Church. The drive thru sale will begin at 10am and end at 11:30 am OR when all hanging baskets are sold. First come first serve. Once they are gone, we have no extras! Just drive to the front of the Church, look at the selection and a WAY Group member will place it in your car. These beautiful hanging baskets are only $15! Accepting cash (will not have change to avoid too much transferring) or checks made payable to St. Ladislas Church, memo WAY Group.

Any other donations to the WAY Group are accepted. Thank you for your support and we hope to see you on May 8th!

--May Crowning Service will be Sunday, May 9th, after the 11am Mass. All are welcome to join in this special celebration.

RETIREMENT CELEBRATION:

--Today is Mary Ellen Down's last day as Pastoral Associate as she is officially retiring. Many parishioners have asked what they could do to show their thanks and appreciation for her 14 years of service to our parish. Cards can be dropped off in the office or Mary Ellen has asked for donations to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in honor of her late husband, Paul Downs, who passed away many years ago from the disease. We are grateful for Mary Ellen's compassion and the kindness she brought to all whom she cared for in the Ministry of Care and in other ministries in our parish. Thank you!