The chapel at Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine in Euclid was filled on Oct. 30 for Mass, the closing of the shrine?s Holy Door and the end of the shrine?s outdoor season for this year. The Holy Door, which opened in April, is one of two in the diocese. The other, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, will close on Nov. 13.
Father Mike McCandless, director of the diocesan vocation office, celebrated Mass at the shrine and offered a prayer as the Jubilee Year of Mercy nears its conclusion.
?God is not predictable with his mercy,? Father McCandless said. He drew upon the Gospel for the day, which told the story of Zaccheus, a chief tax collector in Jericho. He described how people considered the tax collectors almost as traitors, since they did the bidding of the Romans. ?He was wealthy, which means he probably collected more than he should have and got wealthy from it,? Father McCandless added.
Jesus was passing through Jericho, and did not intend to stay. Zaccheus, who was short, decided to climb a tree so he could see what was going on. Surprisingly, Jesus noticed him, which Father McCandless said was a moment of grace. ?He was singled out, chosen by the Lord. People grumbled because he was a sinner, but he made a public confession right there. He was delighted when Jesus said he needed to stay at his house,? Father McCandless said.
As a result, Zaccheus repented, and Father McCandless said he began living life ?the way it was meant to be lived.?
