5th Sunday of Lent

I attended Mass at the local university this week. We were out of town in the morning, so I was unable to attend my home Parish.
The Priest began the Homily with 3 questions:
1. What is the purpose of wheat?
2. What is the purpose of human beings? and,
3. If being a Christian was a crime, would there be enough evidence to persecute me?

Father spoke of Erik Erikson's "Psychosocial Stages"; specifically stages 5-7. He spoke of being yourself and being okay with being yourself, and how this transpires over time. He also spoke of our responsibility to help the younger generation through these stages. (I believe this takes care of #2.)

Father explained that the answer to #1 is: Food.  One grain of wheat by itself won't do much. Some of the grain is used for food, while some of the grain is used to produce more grain. I honestly didn't get a whole lot of the Homily; it wasn't until a few minutes later that I "got it".

Father presented the Candidates who, in 2 weeks, will become full-fledged Catholics. They stood with their Sponsors' hand on their shoulder, in front of the congregation. Then, the congregation was invited to come into the aisles and place a hand on another's shoulder. Here was my "aha" moment: As we placed a hand on the shoulder of the person in front of us, we were all connected as one. The last person in the back of the Church was connected to the Candidate. Just as the grain of wheat is no good on its own, we need each other to guide us to be better Christians; better Catholics. We can't do it alone.

Father ended with #3. We should act enough like Christ that the evidence would be evident. He gave us something to think about this week.

What grabbed your attention this week in your service? I'd love to hear!