St. Matthew Catholic Church

Weekly Message     

Step Out of Your Tomb

Dear brothers and sisters,   

      When we see ourselves as God sees, we know where we are buried in this world. God does not want us to be buried in our own “tombs” burdened by discouragement, fear, guilt, the struggles of daily life. God reminds us that we are not meant to be there. God promised that He would open the graves of His people, “I will open your graves and have you rise from them.” Christ continues to call each of us to new life as He called Lazarus to step out of his tomb and gave him new life.

Tomb: We are invited to recognize the tombs in our lives - the places of sin, of fear, or the times we don’t live fully in God’s grace. Lent is a time to honestly acknowledge these areas and bring them before the Lord.

Listen: We are called to listen to the voice of Christ. Just as Jesus called Lazarus by name, He personally calls each of us through prayer, scripture, and the sacraments, especially the Sacrament of Reconciliation. His voice invites us to step out of our tombs and step into freedom and hope.

Step Out: We are reminded that once we step out of the tomb, we must also remove the grave clothes - the habits and attitudes that still hold us back. With the help of our faith community and the grace of God’s Spirit, we can grow into the new life Christ offers.

     St. Francis stepped out of the tomb of worldly pleasures, listened to the Crucified Jesus, and removed the “grave clothes”, walked away naked and in freedom, embraced Jesus Christ. Let us also hear Christ’s call, and step out of our “tombs” - fear, sin, weakness, human comfort zones - and walk in the new life He offers.

Prayers and Blessings!

Msgr. Xavier Pappu
                     Insert:  Giving to God/Dar a Dios.pdf

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                              for the Priests of our Diocese; & for our Bishop.

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