March 29, 2020

Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead

In the face of the reality of Lazarus’ death, Martha and Mary, his    sisters, as well as their family and friends were all devastated. Even Jesus Himself wept, identifying with the painful grief of death itself. The Lord could empathize and fully experience, the sufferings we endure with the illness and death of our loved ones or even ourselves. The coronavirus reminds us of the fragility of life and calls us to respect the gift of life and the bonds of love we forge during this life between family and friends. Jesus had a personal bond of friendship with Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. They were like His family. He knows first-hand what it is like for us mere humans to lose one of our loved ones. It is in this context that He shows the tremendous love of God that scatters death and restores life!

Please pull out your scripture and read for yourselves this Gospel. Log onto our website and listen to the Gospel proclaimed as we celebrate Mass this weekend. You can watch it live streamed or if that timing doesn’t work in your schedule, log on and watch it on YouTube on our website whenever it is convenient for you. But be sure to reflect upon this gospel in your own life and circumstances.

Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead! This is the foreshadowing and promise of His own resurrection and ours.

In the face of all of our own personal fears and anxieties during these challenging times, let us place our faith in God’s all powerful and never failing love for us! Jesus says in the gospels, more than any other phrase, “Do not be afraid, fear not!”   

On Palm Sunday if we are still on lockdown, which we will probably be, the priests of the parish will still be celebrating Mass and it will still be live streamed and on our internet. We will be blessing palms and having them available to pick up at the various churches. You’ll be able to drive by and pick up your blessed palm. Every parish church will have a basket by the main entrance to the  church, or under the door that has an awning in case of weather, for you to help yourself to the palm.
God love you,