TO BE READ AT ALL OF THE ‘SUNDAY’ LITURGIES: MARCH 14 – 15
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The story of God’s chosen people, the story of ‘Exodus’, is truly our story as well. It is a journey of faith and freedom. It was also a journey that tested their faith and challenged their courage. In the first reading of the Sunday Liturgy we see that the Israelites were a people at risk and in great danger; finding themselves in a desert with no water. But the Lord certainly heard their cry, took care of their thirst and answered their question, “Is the Lord in our midst or not?”
The Lord is most certainly in our midst today. He hears our petition and quenches our thirst for the living Word of God. In the moments that frighten us and threaten us we have the Lord and each other to depend on. So we find ourselves facing one of those moments now. In addition to whatever else we have committed to do for our Lenten observance, we are all being asked to observe a penance that we would never have chosen and could not have anticipated. In response to the impact of the corona virus, Covid-19, the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, both Sunday Masses and Weekday Masses, will be suspended here in the Diocese of Fresno. This will go into effect this Monday, March the 16th, and will last through the whole of Sunday, March the 29th. This will clearly be the most difficult Lenten observance we have ever been asked to embrace. We have a moral obligation to do whatever we can to preserve the health of all people, spiritually and physically. We will be fasting for a time from the Holy Eucharist itself; a cross we did not expect to carry but one which we will bear by God’s grace and our mutual love for one another.
In the Gospel today, Jesus wanted to give the Samaritan woman ‘living water’. We have received that life-giving water in Baptism. We face the challenges of these days as sons and daughters. We have the chance and the opportunity to ennoble both our nation and our world by testifying constantly to generosity over selfishness, compassion over callousness, idealism over cynicism, and hope over fear.
In Christ,
Bishop Joseph V. Brennan, D.D.
https://www.facebook.com/388280074615539/posts/2601824973261027/?d=n
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My response:
Thank you Bishop for guiding us, as Moses did, through the salvation of the Lord. These are times spoken of by Jesus. We must accompany him in his Death, his journey through Hell, and his resurrection; for that is where he goes. We are not afraid of Death, Hell or Satan. We only fear the Lord, the Eucharist. If the Lord says, we follow, we go. Thank you. We are praying, and the Church follows Christ wherever he goes, because him alone has words of everlasting life.
Three days of darkness means his death and hell; after which there is resurrection. Imagine how beautiful is going to be, when we, the whole Church, lives that part of his life on Earth.
The life of the Church is like the mysteries of the Rosary. We are in the Sorrowful mysteries worldwide. However, after the sorrowful mysteries are the glorious mysteries. Let us then live this mysteries, to later enjoy the glorious mysteries.
Peter once told the Lord: “Let those horrible things not take place,” and JESUS told him, “get behind me Satan, for you look for the things of this world.” Let us then go through this living Lent, Death and Hell, with hope in the Resurrection, which will be the living Glorious mysteries of the Rosary, after we go through these days of darkness; of which this is only the beginning. Yes, the Bowls of Wrath are here. What are we to say: “Lord, do not let those terrible things happen on Earth,” as Saint Peter did? Or, are we going to go through this horrendous passage giving him thanks, for him alone is perfect, good, and his judgement is pure, perfect, spotless.
I say: Hosanna in the Highest. Holy, holy, holy is his Name. Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.
So, to all those complaining about the Bowls of Wrath, I would say: “Get behind me Satan, for you only look for the things of this world.”
In the Holy Peace of Christ, let us accompany Mary, Mother of God’s only Son to Calvary, without fear. Let us accompany his mother, wife and daughter, to the Cross, to be there with her, because she follows her Son wherever he goes. Let us not complain, but be thankful we are celebrating Lent in a very literal way.
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