Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
I hope that your Palm Sunday was as inspiring as mine. I was blessed to celebrate Mass at St. John the Baptist parish in New Brighton and found the liturgy to be very moving. It’s a parish with a great liturgical tradition. The music was well chosen and the Church meaningfully decorated. The liturgy began with an impressive procession involving lots of families carrying palms and wearing red, the liturgical color of the day. It was easy to get my “steps” in before the opening prayer of the Mass even began.
As in Catholic churches around the world, we heard the proclamation of the passion account from the Gospel of Matthew, which accentuates the high drama of the events surrounding the passion of our Lord, and not surprisingly, the apostle Judas plays a key role. I was reading the part of Jesus in the passion and was chilled as I read his words to Judas, after having been betrayed by him with a kiss: “Friend, do what you have come for.”
Indeed, Judas figures prominently in the gospel readings for Holy Week. Today, John’s Gospel recounts another incident, slightly earlier than the events recounted in the passion, involving Judas—this time in the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus in Bethany. As would be the case at the Last Supper, Judas was at table with Jesus. But this time, his scorn was directed at Mary as she poured expensive oil on Jesus’ feet. While Jesus commends Mary for what he sees as a lavish act of faith, Judas, whom we are told “held the money bag and used to steal the contributions,” perceives only a waste of resources that he claims could have been put to better use.
While his motive was suspect, Judas seems to be right in one sense, since the costly oil could indeed have been sold to feed the poor. But Jesus sees through Judas’ critique and uses the opportunity to put things in perspective: “Leave [Mary] alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”
We shouldn’t hear that as in any way diminishing the importance of taking care of the poor. Throughout Jesus’ ministry, he emphasized the dual obligation to love God and love neighbor. Time and time again, Jesus showed his love for those who were marginalized, even teaching us that whatever we do for the least of our brothers and sisters, we do for him (Mt 25:31-46).
It’s significant that Dilexi Te (“I have loved you” in English), the first encyclical of Pope Leo, focuses on love of the poor. While the letter brings to completion a project begun by Pope Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, it surely resonates with the experience of a pope who had spent much of his priesthood ministering in Peru to those on the margins. Throughout the letter, Pope Leo reminds us that we can see Jesus in the face of the poor. In that context, Jesus’ comments about the poor being always with us are also a guarantee that we will always have Jesus with us as well (Dilexi Te, 5). What a reassuring affirmation in this week that leads us to Calvary.
It may be tempting, as Lent draws to a close, to “coast to the finish.” I think, however, that the Lord’s comments to Judas in today’s gospel lead us to an opposite conclusion. His comments about Mary’s loving gesture invite us to double down on our Lenten practices and to make an act of faith like Mary’s: extravagant at its heart.
As we gather later this week for the Triduum and for what are arguably the most powerful liturgies of the year, let us allow our hearts to be moved to deeper prayer and continued fasting for our Lord, as well as almsgiving, which shouldn’t end at Lent. As the poor are with us always, so our almsgiving must follow.
One way to serve the poor today in our local church is through the Minnesota Catholic Relief Fund, which helps support the parish and Catholic school communities who have been heroically serving the most vulnerable in our communities throughout the tumult of these recent months. I’m inspired when I hear about the many ways that you already have been serving Christ in your generosity to the poor this Lent, but I know that the Lord is calling us to even greater generosity.
I hope to see many of you at the Cathedral for the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday morning, for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Thursday evening, for our Good Friday service, and for the Easter Vigil. We’ll be praying the Office of Readings and Morning Prayer at the Cathedral on Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings as well—simple but incredibly meaningful. Finally, please continue to pray for all those who will be entering our Church this Easter.
Indeed, Judas figures prominently in the gospel readings for Holy Week. Today, John’s Gospel recounts another incident, slightly earlier than the events recounted in the passion, involving Judas—this time in the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus in Bethany. As would be the case at the Last Supper, Judas was at table with Jesus. But this time, his scorn was directed at Mary as she poured expensive oil on Jesus’ feet. While Jesus commends Mary for what he sees as a lavish act of faith, Judas, whom we are told “held the money bag and used to steal the contributions,” perceives only a waste of resources that he claims could have been put to better use.
While his motive was suspect, Judas seems to be right in one sense, since the costly oil could indeed have been sold to feed the poor. But Jesus sees through Judas’ critique and uses the opportunity to put things in perspective: “Leave [Mary] alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”
We shouldn’t hear that as in any way diminishing the importance of taking care of the poor. Throughout Jesus’ ministry, he emphasized the dual obligation to love God and love neighbor. Time and time again, Jesus showed his love for those who were marginalized, even teaching us that whatever we do for the least of our brothers and sisters, we do for him (Mt 25:31-46).
It’s significant that Dilexi Te (“I have loved you” in English), the first encyclical of Pope Leo, focuses on love of the poor. While the letter brings to completion a project begun by Pope Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, it surely resonates with the experience of a pope who had spent much of his priesthood ministering in Peru to those on the margins. Throughout the letter, Pope Leo reminds us that we can see Jesus in the face of the poor. In that context, Jesus’ comments about the poor being always with us are also a guarantee that we will always have Jesus with us as well (Dilexi Te, 5). What a reassuring affirmation in this week that leads us to Calvary.
It may be tempting, as Lent draws to a close, to “coast to the finish.” I think, however, that the Lord’s comments to Judas in today’s gospel lead us to an opposite conclusion. His comments about Mary’s loving gesture invite us to double down on our Lenten practices and to make an act of faith like Mary’s: extravagant at its heart.
As we gather later this week for the Triduum and for what are arguably the most powerful liturgies of the year, let us allow our hearts to be moved to deeper prayer and continued fasting for our Lord, as well as almsgiving, which shouldn’t end at Lent. As the poor are with us always, so our almsgiving must follow.
One way to serve the poor today in our local church is through the Minnesota Catholic Relief Fund, which helps support the parish and Catholic school communities who have been heroically serving the most vulnerable in our communities throughout the tumult of these recent months. I’m inspired when I hear about the many ways that you already have been serving Christ in your generosity to the poor this Lent, but I know that the Lord is calling us to even greater generosity.
I hope to see many of you at the Cathedral for the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday morning, for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Thursday evening, for our Good Friday service, and for the Easter Vigil. We’ll be praying the Office of Readings and Morning Prayer at the Cathedral on Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings as well—simple but incredibly meaningful. Finally, please continue to pray for all those who will be entering our Church this Easter.
Good Friday Tenebrae (April 3)
Enter deeply into the mysteries of our Lord’s passion in this immersive service of darkness and prayer. The Holy Cross Tenebrae Choir will chant the Divine Office and sing the Tenebrae Responsories of Tomas Luis de Victoria.
Married Couples Retreat (April 10-12)
Enhance your relationship as well as your spiritual journey by spending time together with God. Deepen your connection through themed conference talks, liturgies and spiritual direction. Make this retreat your own by tailoring your experience to fit you and what you are seeking. Participate in Mass, confession, adoration, Anointing of the Sick, and more. Most of the guests already have a great marriage and leave the retreat feeling blessed with an even stronger marriage.
PECS small group in Crystal reaches out to the needy
Patty Beissel, 74, urged her small group of about 20 women at St. Raphael in Crystal to select a way to give back some measure of God’s gifts during the Lenten season, rather than give something up.
Chesterton Academy students from across US make pilgrimage to Rome
Chesterton Academy students from across the U.S. kicked off a 10-day pilgrimage to Italy with Pope Leo XIV’s general audience in St. Peter’s Square.
Read the full story from The Catholic Spirit.
Read the full story from The Catholic Spirit.
Get The Catholic Spirit delivered right to your door and subscribe to the weekly newsletter.
No season wasted: finding God in every turn
From weekly prayer to life-changing detours, this episode explores how every season of faith matters. Janette Howe and Erin Bechtel share stories of service, discernment and discovering God’s call in unexpected ways.
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.
175th Snapshot: Mother Teresa and Patty Kump
In 1960, a 32-year-old mother read an article about a nun who was doing extraordinary work among the poor in Calcutta. Patty, a devout Catholic at St. Olaf in Minneapolis, wrote to the far-off nun, Mother Teresa, and thus began a lifelong friendship. Mother Teresa visited Patty and her family in their Golden Valley home many times.
Patty and Warren Kump with St. Teresa of Calcutta at the meeting of co-workers of Mather Teresa in Rochester, 1974.
Sent forth by the Holy Spirit to make Jesus known and loved.
777 Forest Street, Saint Paul, MN 55106 | 651-291-4400 | hello@archspm.org
Forwarded this note by a friend? Click here to get Together on the Journey from Archbishop Hebda every week.
March 30, 2026