Sunday, Passion Sunday Live from Immaculate Conception Parish Union, Mo. 'Jesus Enters Jerusalem' The Church Must Follow

The Church was packed again this Sunday morning at 9a.m. mass; the Holy Week choir sang joyful yet extolling songs to the Lord of Glory as it commemorated his entry into Jerusalem 2000 years ago. Assisted by Deacon Jerry Becker, Fr. Matthew Mitas ascended the altar to give his Christian witness to the Lord of Glory. Assisted by faithful servers and the faithful of the Union area, the faithful followed closely the passion narrative as it was recounted step by step.

'Are you not one of them.' 'I do not know the man!' Peter said.

Can we think of a more mournful occasion as we ascend with Our Lord to the altar of His Cross on this Passion Sunday. The Church the worldover sits solemnly at his side waiting for his sacrificial death, which brings us life. Yet, how many of us or which 'one' of us could not say in some way say: 'I do not know the man!' Surely we are all called to repentance as we enter into this most Holy of weeks. We wish , with all of our hearts, to say, what we wanted with a pure and undivided heart, yet it is impossible without grace on our side. We hear Jesus say, 'Do not be afraid, it is I.'

Catholics in America have a great responsiblity to choose to live for Christ in the Market Place of our lives. What a great good when brothers dwell together in harmony. Here at Immaculate Conception Parish we are fortunate since Fr. Matthew Mitas is a faithful Priest in the Archdiocese of St. Louis under Archbishop Raymond Burke. Together with the other clergy we form a bond of unity and strength among members with the entire Church. When Our Holy Father came here he presented to the faithful here a rich image of daily martyrdom by his own witness n his pontificate, tacitly giving all of us a source of fidelity to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and in his faithful Church.

We are not alone, we are accompanied with those who have gone before us. Let us keep faithful vigil with Our Lord.

IP correspondent and reporter 'Religious View in the Church in St. Louis' CRL

Summa Contra Gentiles Bk 3b Ch 150 p 186 CHAPTER CL

THAT THIS SAME ASSISTANCE IS CALLED GRACE; AND WHAT IS MEANT BY SANCTIFYING GRACE

SEEING that what is given to a man apart from his merits, is said to be given to him gratis: and since the divine assistance given to man anticipates all human merit, as we have said;[integral]1 it follows that this assistance is bestowed on man gratuitously, and therefore is fittingly known by the name of grace. Hence the Apostle says (Rom. xi. 6): And if by grace, it is not now by works: otherwise grace is no more grace. There is also another reason for which the aforesaid assistance of God has received the name of grace. For one man is said to be pleasing (gratus) to another, because he is beloved by him, wherefore he who is beloved of another, is said to be in his grace. Now it is essential to love that the lover be a well-wisher and a well-doer to the one whom he loves. And indeed the good of every creature is the object of God's will and operation: since the creature's very being and its every perfection come from God willing and operating, as we have proved above:[integral]2 wherefore it is said (Wisd. xi. 25): Thou lovest all things that are, and hatest none of the things which thou hast made. But a special kind of divine love offers itself to our consideration; it is that which is bestowed on those whom he assists to obtain a good which surpasses the order of their nature, namely the perfect enjoyment, not of any created good, but of his very self. Accordingly this assistance is fittingly named grace: not only because it is given gratis, as we have shown; but also because by this assistance man, by a special favour, is rendered pleasing (gratus) to God. Hence the Apostle says (Eph. i. 5, 6): Who hath predestinated us unto the adoption of children . . . according to the purpose of His will: unto the praise of glory in which He hath graced us in His beloved Son. Summa Contra Gentiles Bk 3b Ch 155 p 205 Hence it is said (Philip. i. 6): He who hath begun a good work in you will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus: and (1 Pet. v. 10): The God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory . . . after you have suffered a little, will Himself perfect you, and confirm you, and establish you. Summa Contra Gentiles Bk 3b Ch 155 p 205 Moreover we find in Holy Writ many prayers by which perseverance is besought of God, for instance in Ps. xvi. 5, Perfect thou my goings in Thy paths, that my footsteps be not moved; and 2 Thess. ii. 15, 16, God our Father . . . exhort your hearts, and confirm you in every good work and word. The same petition is made in the Lord's prayer, especially when we say, Thy kingdom come: for God's kingdom will not come to us, except we persevere in good. Now, it would be absurd to ask of God that whereof He is not the giver. Therefore man's perseverance is from God.