Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Its hard to believe that we’ve come to the end of March already. Where did this month go?
In the 10 winters that I have spent in Minnesota, I have come to know that March is a mystery. We never know if it will go out like a lion or a lamb. From an Ash Wednesday snowstorm to nearly 70 degrees a few days later, this month of March had its fair share of both! As we continue our Lenten journey, this final day of March can remind us how two related images of our Lord – the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God – can help us gain a deeper understanding of the very nature of God and of his love.
Jesus is known by many names: King of Kings, Prince of Peace, Son of David, Son of Man, to name but a few. But the two titles I would like to highlight this week– the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God – could seem to be contradictory. The lion is ferocious and at the top of the food chain while the lamb is lowly, humble, and sacrificial. Yet that dichotomy captures the essence of our Lord – who is both the king of the world and the sacrificial lamb. Might and mercy.
In the Old Testament, we read about the Lion of Judah in Genesis. You will recall that Judah is one of Jacob’s twelve sons. To each of those sons is attributed a tribe. Among them, Judah’s role is special. As we read in Genesis: “Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples” (Genesis 49: 9-10). The prophesy is that someone from the tribe of Judah would come and all the people would obey him. This brings to mind a powerful king, a victorious and glorious ruler. We believe that Jesus is that promised Messiah.
At the same time, we also read about the sacrificial lambs in the Old Testament. In the book of Exodus, to mark themselves during the first Passover, the Israelites were instructed to slaughter a lamb and smear its blood onto their doors, sacrificing it so that their own people would be saved. In this same way, a savior is prophesied in the book of Isaiah, where he says, the Lord, like “a lamb led to slaughter” (Isaiah 53: 7), will give himself over for his people.
How does this relate to our relationship with Jesus, the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God? Do we cower in fear of the lion’s wrath? Do we take for granted the lamb’s meekness and sacrifice?
When we look at Jesus, the Lion and the Lamb, let us not cower, but orient our lives in light of his ultimate power. Let us give our lives to him, as he did for us, trusting in the gentle Lord who desires mercy (Matthew 12:7) and himself provides the sacrifice. Once again, our faith leads us to “both/and” rather than one or the other.
I feel so blessed that this has been a month when we’ve come to see the Lord’s presence in both dimensions in our archdiocese. Just recently we have been blessed to the see the Lord’ power at our Annual Men’s Conference and at an amazing gathering of young adults with Dr. Edward Sri. We’ve also been experiencing his gentleness as we’ve begun to gather with the delegates for our Synod for periods of quiet prayer and discernment. Our God is indeed amazing. As we head into April and prepare more proximately for the Triduum, may our hearts be filled with gratitude.
Watch now: Teaching Mass, Session 5 – Eucharistic Prayer Part 1
"The priest is not an actor, and the gifts aren’t props." See how Jesus' command at the Last Supper is fulfilled in episode 5 of the Teaching Mass series.
CRS Rice Bowl is a tradition for millions of Catholics in the United States who continue to answer the Gospel call, supporting families experiencing hunger around the world. This celebration will contain a collection of music, reflections, and hymns lifting up our hearts with one voice for the life of the world.
Lenten Retreat – Pilgrims of Hope (April 6-9)
This Lenten retreat features Deacon Art Miller, as he reflects on Pilgrims of Hope, Pope Francis’ theme for Jubilee 2025. Through powerful storytelling and deep spiritual insight, Deacon Art will be inviting us to embrace our call as modern-day pilgrims. The evening talks will be repeated the following morning for a total of three talks.
Catholic young adults pack Station 10 to hear Edward Sri speak about the Mass
At Station 10, a gathering space above A-Side Public House in St. Paul, young adults in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis gathered to hear Edward Sri, a theologian, author and Catholic speaker, present “A Biblical Walk Through the Mass.”
Read the full story from The Catholic Spirit.
Read the full story from The Catholic Spirit.
Burnsville priest completes icon about mercy
On the feast of Pentecost in May 2024, Father Jim Perkl, pastor of Mary, Mother of the Church in Burnsville, began thinking about the creation of an icon to complete a series at his parish on the main points of the Gospel.
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The humble path: Why true strength is found in selflessness
In this episode, Archbishop Hebda shares wisdom on how we can cultivate humility in our daily lives, overcome challenges to embrace selflessness, and deepen our relationship with God.
Dying to ourselves: Finding life in Christ
In this episode, Bishop Kenney reflects on the Christian call to "die to ourselves" during Lent. What does it mean to embrace self-denial, and how does surrendering our will to God lead to true freedom?
Visit Practicing Catholic to listen on your favorite podcasting platform. Listen Friday at 9 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m., or Sunday at 2 p.m. on Relevant Radio 1330AM.
The next step in the Archdiocesan synodal process will be taking place this summer. Synod 2025: Be My Witnesses Assembly will take place Saturday, June 7 and culminate with the annual Pentecost Vigil Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Paul. All are invited to pray for Synod 2025 and attend the Pentecost Vigil Mass.
What is a synod?
You may have heard the term at your parish, or been part of a small group or event related to the Synod. A synod is a gathering of Church leaders to address a particular topic or topics in the Church. Pope Francis has said that in a synod, the protagonist is the Holy Spirit, as participants are called to listen to the Spirit – and one another. With the 2025 Synod Assembly approaching this summer, find out more about why synods are important for our Church.
Watch future issues of Archbishop's Weekly Word for videos and FAQs about Synod 2025.
Sent forth by the Holy Spirit to make Jesus known and loved.
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March 31, 2025