Untie Him and Let Him Go: Freedom in Christ from the Bonds of Sin
Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck
A Reflection on the Gospel of John 11:3-7,17,20-27,33b-45
Dear friends in Christ,
There was a man named Michael who lived in our neighborhood. For years, he felt trapped tied down by the mistakes of his past, weighed down by guilt and shame. He carried the heavy burden of sin, isolating himself from those who loved him, convinced he was beyond forgiveness. One day, out of curiosity and a flicker of hope, Michael walked into our parish church. He sat quietly during Mass, hearing words of mercy and love that seemed to reach deep inside him.
After Mass, he went to confession—his heart pounding with fear and hope—and poured out his soul. The priest’s words, “Your sins are forgiven,” washed over him like a refreshing river. Michael felt a lightness he hadn’t known in years. From that day forward, he dedicated his life to helping others who felt the same chains of sin tighten around them. He became a living example of the Gospel’s promise: “Untie him and let him go.”
Jesus Calls Us to Freedom: From the Tomb of Death to the Light of New Life
Today’s Gospel tells us the story of Lazarus, whom Jesus loved deeply. When Lazarus fell ill, his sisters sent word to Jesus, hoping for a miracle. Yet Jesus stayed two more days before going to Judea, where Lazarus was already in the tomb. When Jesus called Lazarus out, the man emerged—still bound hand and foot with burial cloths. Jesus commanded, “Untie him and let him go.” This command is not just about freeing Lazarus from physical bonds but serves as a profound symbol of liberation from the bonds of sin and death.
Catholic Meme Monday— Issue 220
Hope you had blessed Fifth Sunday of Lent! 🙏✝️
Time for another Catholic Meme Monday.
When the Church Grows Quiet: Passiontide
There is a moment in Lent when something subtle (or maybe not so subtle) changes.
You walk into church and notice that something feels different. The statues are covered. The crucifix is hidden behind a purple veil. The sanctuary feels quieter and more restrained, almost as if the Church herself is holding her breath.
We have entered Passiontide.
Passiontide begins on the Fifth Sunday of Lent, traditionally called Passion Sunday, and continues through Holy Week until the Easter Vigil. These final two weeks intensify the Church’s focus on Christ’s suffering and death. The readings, prayers, and liturgical customs all guide us toward the same destination: Calvary.
Lent has always been about repentance and conversion. Passiontide narrows the lens. Now we are invited to contemplate the Passion itself, the moment when Christ reveals the depth of God’s love through suffering.
It is the Church’s way of saying: Look closer.
Continue reading3 Reasons Why Saint Joseph is the Best Role Model for Men
On March 19 the Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of Saint Joseph—foster father of Jesus. According to Richard E. Vatz, professor at Towson University in a Washington Times article titled, The social costs of fatherlessness, “there is no root cause more consequential in producing permanent violence, poverty and related life dissatisfaction issues than fatherlessness.”
Saint Joseph provides the ideal for what it means to be a kind and loving father and man. More than ever this world needs strong men to be role models for their families and communities.
The foster father of Jesus’s example of silence, humility, and patience will equip men with the tools necessary to foster meaningful and lasting relationships.
Silence leads to sanctity
Guess how many words of St. Joseph did the Evangelists record in the Gospels? If you guessed a whopping ZERO than you are correct my friend! Though included in the key infancy and adolescent scenes of Jesus’ life the foster father of our Lord said nothing!
Continue readingHe Opens Our Eyes: Embracing God’s Love This Lent
Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck
Reflection on the Gospel of John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38
Dear friends in Christ,
In a quiet small town nestled between the White Mountains of New Hampshire, there was a dense and shadowy patch of woods that everyone called “the Hollow.” Folks in town whispered that the Hollow was a place where people could easily lose their way and never be found. One autumn afternoon, a little girl named Emily wandered too far while playing and disappeared into those woods. For hours, her family searched every inch, but she was nowhere to be found. Hope began to fade, and they feared she would remain lost in the darkness of the Hollow.
Then from out of nowhere, a local Sheriff pulled up in his truck asking what was wrong to Emily’s mother and father; they told him their daughter was lost in the woods. Calm and full of quiet confidence, he told the family, “I will go into the Hollow.” Some passersby warned him to be careful for it was a dangerous trek, but he stepped into the woods without hesitation. After a while, he came back, holding Emily’s hand. Her face was glowing with relief and joy. The Sheriff had brought her out of the darkness and back into the light of her family.
This story reminds us of today’s Gospel, where Jesus meets a man blind from birth—someone living in darkness, unable to see or fully experience life. Like the Sheriff who entered the Hollow without fear, Jesus steps into our darkness to bring light and new sight, revealing the love and power of God at work in the world.
How Saint Patrick’s Breastplate Will Shield You on Your Spiritual Journey
Saint Patrick lived in the 5th century and was a Christian missionary. He was instrumental in converting Ireland to Christianity. Known most for his usage of the shamrock to help explain the Trinity, Patrick’s successfully converted the pagans.
Several posts on this feast day focus on “little known facts” or about whether Saint Patrick was actually Irish. I’m going to do something a bit different. Saint Patrick’s Breastplate prayer always provided me with great comfort. This article will examine the various aspects of his prayer.
Here’s the short version of the prayer (for the long version check out the link in the related resources at the end of this article):
Continue reading