As you all know, as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, we have suspended public Masses. Personally, this is heartbreaking. It is truly hard to look at the empty pews as I celebrate Mass, to be a “shepherd” without his flock. This new situation puts the reality of the ordained priesthood in a whole new paradigm- parish priests are ordained to serve the people of God. The life of an ordained priest finds its fulfillment only in the context of the people he serves.
For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. (Heb 5:1) Thank God that with or without the faithful, we stand at the altar of the Eucharist to offer prayers and sacrifices for their flock. In truth, their absence should only increase our appreciation of this truth.
We are blessed, nonetheless, with dedicated clergy, sisters, and the entire parish staff to find new and creative ways and solutions to keep us united, to evangelize, to grow in faith, love, and hope, and to reach out to those who are in need. We look for new ways and opportunities as we learn to do our best.
We are a week away from the start of Holy Week. Our Lord now has His sights set on Jerusalem, and the pace is quickening. In these next two weeks, we are living just one part of the Gospel passage from today: an encounter with the reality of suffering and death. Jesus is asking us to have faith in Him. It seems that today His request comes with an unprecedented struggle in the midst of the coronavirus situation. It feels that we not only can challenge our faith but the whole Jesus idea saying, - “Lord, if you had been here, the whole coronavirus drama would have not happened.”
We have been Christians for so long, heard so many sermons, and received Holy Communion so often. And yet, in the middle of a life's crisis- like right now, we find it extremely hard to figure out what God is asking of us. In the midst of these chaotic and fear-filled times, we find it difficult to trust Him enough to follow His Will instead of our whims. To actually allow Him to speak and further challenge us, “Your brother will rise…I am the resurrection and the life; Do you believe this?”
I am fully aware how painful these recent weeks have been, and I am convinced that the Lord is fully aware of them. His love never changes, but rather calls us to a deeper relationship of trust and faith in Him. So, in our life of faith, we have to be attentive to Our Lord in such a way as to reflect the faith of Martha that was strong enough to withstand not seeing Jesus for days and watching her brother die. It was strong enough to be the instrument for the sign He wanted to work for many other believers: the raising of her brother from death. So Jesus invited her to believe that even those who believed and died would live. She put her faith in Him, not just the Jewish teaching about a future resurrection. When Jesus ordered the tomb to be opened, Martha’s faith was rewarded, and the power of God through those who believed was shown. I am convinced that we ought to pray for that faith and conviction of our own, especially in these uncertain times. Let us pray with the confidence of the early church that flows from all their needs, hopes, and sorrows into the bottomless ocean of Christ's love. "Lord, the one you love is ill." Could Christ's heart ever resist a prayer like that?
As useful as the digital communication is- email, live-streaming, facebook, etc.), it cannot actually put us in touch with one another but brings an element of comfort that there is someone who stays united and cares. This creates an unexpected advent in the midst of Lent. We are waiting and praying for that day when the priest of Christ can again be with his people.
Please stay safe, healthy, and spiritually united with our St. Luke faith community.