Reflection for Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free.

I grew up in Granada Hills, a suburb in the San Fernando Valley that blossomed in the post-World War II boom years. Upon my ordination in 1974, I was assigned to Orange County and hence, on my weekly day off, would make the trek home often taking a route on the freeway where I could see downtown Los Angeles. Often, I would make the drive on Wednesday night to avoid the traffic and I would spy an old building with its neon-sign for all to see. It blinked Jesus Saves!

In all its evangelical fervor, that statement unabashedly captured the essence of the good news that we Christians have lived and died for, for nearly 2000 years. Jesus, my friends, does indeed save us from everything that would ultimately rob us of the freedom that God wants for each of us.

While few of us experience the deprivations that can come when our physical freedoms are taken from us, yet, so many in our society today live lives that our bound in slavery to addictions, unrelenting fear, anger and hatred, jealousies and resentments.

The good news of Jesus Christ remains a clarion call down through the centuries to experience the freedom that can come when love and forgiveness overcomes hatred, unresolved anger and the festering of resentments in our hearts.

We need only set our eyes on Christ on the Cross, who in this moment of desolation uttered words of forgiveness: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

Jesus Saves! May we embrace the saving cross that leads to freedom in His unfailing love.

msgr. Arthur a. holquin, s.t.L.

Msgr. Art was ordained to the priesthood on May 25, 1974 for service in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Shortly after the creation of the new Diocese of Orange in 1976, he completed post-graduate work at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium, obtaining an S.T.L. in Sacramental Theology and an M.A. in Religious Studies. He has served the Diocese in a number of ministerial capacities: Director for the Office of Worship, Director for the Office of Evangelization, Rector of Holy Family Cathedral and finally, Pastor and Rector of Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano. In 2009 he contracted a rare neurological condition (Primary Lateral Sclerosis) that gradually impacted his walking and speech. In 2014 he was named Rector Emeritus of the Basilica parish. Msgr. Art’s favorite quotation is from Blessed Henry Cardinal Newman: To live is to change and to be perfect is to have changed often.