Members of the Order of Malta are called to “lift up the prodigals” said Michigan Area chaplain Fr. John Maksym, ChD, in his homily at the Area’s March First Saturday Mass.
In the parable of the Prodigal Son, the Prodigal’s angry brother “takes a lot of body hits in homilies,” Fr. Maksym commented. The brother represents those who are trying to follow God’s law, are “decent people” – and who may be tempted to say, “You made your bed; now lie in it” to people whose bad decisions hurt themselves and others. “But we don’t get that shortcut,” Fr. Maksym said. “As members of this Order, our calling is to lift up the prodigals.”
Concelebrating Mass with Fr. Maksym was Msgr. Michael LeFevre, ChM, who also heard confessions before Mass. Member-in-Formation Mark Thut led the recitation of the Rosary. Readings at Mass were proclaimed by Associate John Micallef and Member-in-Formation Kevin Tabone. Associate Ky Cam and Stephanie Le, DM, offered the Prayers of the Faithful. Michigan Area Chair Andy Smith, KM, led the group in the Daily Prayer of the Order.
After Mass, Michigan Area members enjoyed a breakfast provided by Ky Cam and Stephanie Le, members of the Area’s Hospitality Ministry, while Andy Smith provided an update on Michigan Area activities.
One of those activities is re-starting the Area’s service to the incarcerated, an effort that was suspended during the COVID pandemic. Kodah Maida, KM, provided a brief overview of the Wayne County Jail Outreach Ministry, which assists former inmates as they seek employment and support on returning to society. He asked for volunteers to assist at WCJOM with the intake process for parolees, to help them get the services they need.
After breakfast, Msgr. LeFevre led Lectio Divina, focusing on Romans 5: 1-2, 5-8. Calling the reading’s theme, “Trust, with eyes wide open,” Monsignor reminded the group that “God will not leave us disappointed … God deals with us not justly, but with an extravagant love that we must learn to trust.”
After the First Saturday, Michigan Area members took food and clothing to those living on the streets of Detroit. See “As harsh Michigan winter draws to a close, donations were key to Michigan Area serving homeless.”
With April 4 being Holy Saturday, the Area’s next First Saturday will be its annual symposium on May 2 at the Solanus Casey Center in Detroit.
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