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On this 4th Sunday of Lent, we rejoice. It is often called Laetare Sunday which comes from the Latin word which means “rejoice.” We have a reason to rejoice in our Savior’s love for us. The Gospel of the healing of the blind man gives us hope that Christ will open our eyes to faith that we might see beyond the limits of this material world to what is eternal.
As a faith community, we have many reasons to rejoice. Too often we focus on the challenges, the disappointments, and the negative news that abounds in our world and community. But Jesus proclaims the Gospel which, in Greek, means “good news.” We are not to be people who promote and consume bad news, we are to be people who promote and proclaim good news. The resurrection of Christ gives us hope and promise. We are an Easter people. Our faith in the Risen Lord has to translate into our practical behavior. We are
people of the light and not of the darkness. I invite you to come together that we might bask in the light and rejoice in the future before us.
These are challenging times. We know that. But we also know that with Christ all things are possible. We are facing a challenging situation as a community. The question is, are we up to the challenge? I believe that we are.
The coronavirus has our world turned upside down. But a nasty virus, that might even be deadly for some, is not going to destroy our faith or overpower our Savior! Yes, at this time, it is heartbreaking that we cannot gather to celebrate the Holy Eucharist as a parish family. Please be assured that this does not limit, in any way, the power of our Savior to save us! All the priests of the parish are celebrating the Holy Eucharist every day for all of you very faithfully. All of the Mass intentions that would have been celebrated are indeed being offered to God. Funerals, confessions, baptisms, weddings and all kinds of pastoral ministry continue to be carried out faithfully.
There’s an old saying I am sure you have heard many times “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” During this time when we cannot be together as we would like, or to be able to receive our Savior in the Holy Eucharist, it can help us all appreciate more fully the true gift we have in our Lord in this marvelous sacrament and in each other.
I know it is not a good substitute, but it is, at least, something. I invite you to join us as we celebrate Mass each day on our website or live streaming on NCTV45. We are celebrating Mass every day at 9 am.
Please take some time while we are all called to be alone and realize that you are never alone, that Christ is always with you. Be still, turn off all of the news, social media, and give your full attention for a few moments, if not at least an hour a day, to Christ with you. We will continue to provide updates and devotions and information on our website. I hope that you will take the time to engage with us in this way so that we can still pray together. Know that you are our utmost concern and we are eager to serve you. We pray that you are all preserved from this illness and we are reunited quickly.
Please join me and our pastoral team as we pray a rosary every day that the Lord will bring good out of this tragic time, that he will strengthen our faith and allow all in this world to experience a powerful conversion as we face mortality. Isn’t it amazing that we should have this pandemic right when we celebrate our Lord’s suffering, death and resurrection? Perhaps God is using this worldwide, surreal occasion to remind us of the fragility of life and our call to believe in Him, to trust in Him, and to prepare for Him and His second coming!
God love you,
