We are just more than 1/2 through lent....how are you doing? "Thus says the LORD: Lo, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; The things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind. Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create;" Is 65: 7-21 I really like the idea that we are new creations in Christ Jesus. The things I did in the past shall not be remembered, they are forgive by the Sacrament of Reconciliation and because of this Grace of God  I  can rejoice  in the new creation I become...AND SO CAN YOU! You are loved:) Another great teaching by Bishop Barron "Bishop Robert Barron" <wof@wordonfire.org> Friends, our Gospel today tells of Jesus healing a royal official's son. The official asked him to heal his son, who was near death. Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe." But the royal official persisted. And Jesus told him his son would live. The man believed Jesus and his son recovered. Theologian Paul Tillich said that "faith" is the most misunderstood word in the religious vocabulary. And this is a tragedy, for faith stands at the very heart of the program; it is the sine qua non of the Christian thing. What is it? The opening line of Hebrews 11 has the right definition: "Faith is confident assurance concerning what we hope for, and conviction about things we do not see." Faith is a straining ahead toward those things that are, at best, dimly glimpsed. But notice, please, it is not a craven, hand-wringing, unsure business. It is "confident" and full of "conviction." Think of the great figures of faith, from Abraham to John Paul II: they are anything but shaky, indefinite, questioning people. Like the royal official, they are clear, focused, assured. Homestead Thought: "They shall live in the houses they build, and eat the fruit of the vineyards they plant. Is 65: 21 JMJ Pray for us! ~Tina