To See - A Reflection for the 4th Sunday of Lent

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I am not blind. Yet, if today I became blind, how would I take it? How would any of us react if suddenly we were cut off from something so familiar and natural?

Many would feel they were suddenly all alone, suddenly despondent, and suddenly isolated from the familiar. Many have been blinded by the isolation and quarantine this pandemic requires of us. Especially when it is happening during lent, the time of preparation for Easter. 

We are told about a little about this isolation in the Gospel today. Jesus and his disciple came upon a man blind from birth, the disciples ask Jesus who has sinned that he was born blind? 

Jesus said, neither he nor his parent have sinned, it is so the works of the LORD can be made visible through him. Friends, think about those words.

In this time of fear and anxiety this illness has brought to so many - Politicians are pointing fingers. Countries are pointing fingers. You have sinned. You have sinned. You have sinned. As Christina believers, we know that God, the Father who sent the Son, Christ Jesus, is not vengeful; but, He is looking to us to make the works of the LORD visible in the world.

In the past few days, I have seen stories of priest carrying a monstrance bearing the Blessed Sacrament about in their community, praying for the safety and protection of their community and all the people:   In Louisiana, New York, and all across our country and countries across the world. In the past few weeks, I see priests posting masses on Facebook and YouTube. I see reports from all across the world of priests and religious putting themselves in peril ministering to the sick and dying.

I see the works of the LORD in the Doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals caring for the sick. They need the protective equipment and they need prayer. Many armed themselves with prayer and ask for our prayers. I see the works of the LORD in the ministries in our community, sharing Christ’s love in little ways that are so necessary.

I see because of Jesus’ words, “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Jesus spat on the ground, made some clay, and smeared it on the blind man’s eyes. He told him to go and wash in the fountain of Siloam (which means Sent). Today, Jesus sends us into the world to bring the light of Christ to those who are having difficulty seeing. Just as Samuel anointed David as God’s chosen one to lead the people of Israel, we have been anointed by baptism. That baptism washed away the blindness. By our baptism we are sent.

In this time of darkness, we have the light of Christ. We are sent with that light in us..

The man born blind said to the Pharisee “he opened my eyes. And they threw him out.” The truly blind were those who would not see the truth about Jesus. It is true even today. During this many will cry LORD, LORD. But, after, the world is still going to throw us out. For some, eyes will be opened. Eyes will be opened by our faith, our prayers, our little acts of love, and sharing which is the works of the LORD made visible in the world..

I am not blind. But, if today I became blind I still have the light of the world.

Wash your hands, pray, and ask for forgiveness. Make an act of spiritual communion. Share the light of Christ.

Be good, be holy, and preach the gospel to those around you by the way you live your life and love one another. Amen

A Little More & They Will Stone Me - Reflection 3rd Sunday of Lent

A Little More & They Will Stone Me

Lord why did you call me to this ministry. As a Deacon I am to bring the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to the world. I am to be a servant to those in need, bringing God’s love. It seems sharing that love is getting harder. Agape is love by doing and giving self to the other. But today, agape is hard to share.

Today, one of the things making it harder is the COVID-19 virus. The Bishop of our Diocese canceled all masses and many other things.  Today, something I said in love, explanation, and response to the concerns and confusions caused by this decision; triggered someone to attack with ugliness and vitriol.

It came from the confusion and challenges this COVID-19 is presenting to our worshipping community.

But it is not a new enemy. There was confusion and challenges within the Israelites causing them to grumble against Moses. And, Moses cried out to the LORD, “What shall I do with this people? A little more and they will stone me!”

If you are bewildered by mass cancelations and other actions by the Church, remember these things about the decision.

First, this decision was made to slow the spread of the virus.

Our healthcare system needs time to ramp up. Our president has reached out to private industry to work and to help protect the people. In their response they are developing faster, speedier, and more trust worthy testing. Also, a new testing protocol is being developed and put in place to allow more people to be tested.

Our country is a country of richness and greatness. But our political system has problems. The same bill that would give billions of dollars to help fight this battle was stifled when biased legislators hid funding for abortions in the bill.  They took a bill seeking to save lives and used it to disguise funding to end far more lives.

In other countries the virus spread rampant because of lack of controls. In this country locations the virus has hit hard in places that ignored controls that were in place. Controls were ignored because many felt the virus could not happen here.

The decision was made to slow the spread of the virus.

Second, the decision was made to protect the vulnerable.

Our churches are graying. Our attendance is elderly. Our priests are older and many are sick. In many communities of faith, the parishioners and minsters are the most vulnerable.  The most vulnerable are the elderly and those with compromised immune systems (the cancer patient, the diabetic, etc). These people seek the comfort of the church. Those that love these vulnerable ones come to pray for the ones they love.

The ones who would carry the virus into the church community are those who do not know they have been exposed.

We pray to God for protection; but, God has given man the wisdom to protect the vulnerable from things such as this with medicines, devices, and also with wise decisions.

This decision was made to protect the vulnerable.

Third, this decision is hard for a Bishop to make. It is hard for the faithful. It was a necessary decision. It is a decision even the Pope had to make.

This is lent, the time we are reminded of the crosses we must bear. We are asked to make sacrifices. This is one of the greatest sacrifices a faithful Catholic can be asked to make. As Catholics in a great and free country we know we will once again be able to return to the Eucharist. Yet there are many in the world who never know the Eucharistic table.

Bishop Malone says it best. “May this separation renew in us a deep and profound hunger for the Lord whose body, blood, soul and divinity draw us even closer to Him who we adore.”

What shall we do?

First is God’s command - Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.

Set aside a daily holy hour. Read scriptures, pray the rosary, pray for your church, community, family, and all suffering from the impact of this virus. Then be still and contemplate the scripture, prayers, and open your heart to what Jesus wants of you.

Be a spiritual leader in your family. Pray with your spouse, siblings, and children. Read the bible together. You can go to the USCCB website and down load the daily readings. http://www.usccb.org Set apart a special time to pray the rosary with family and children. Say morning prayers, evening prayers, and bless your meals.  Like washing our hands, this something we have always been told to do, but don’t do well.

Watch mass over live Facebook feeds from the Diocese, your local church, or view the mass on EWTN.  This is the Facebook live feed to the Diocese of Shreveport’s Cathedral of St. John Berchmans. Sunday mass is at 9:00 am and daily mass at 7:00 am.  https://sjbcathedral.org/cathedral/webcast 

Most of all do not lose hope. Phone a friend when you need someone to pray with you.  Send a message to your Priest or Deacon; tell them you are praying for them and if you need a visit and prayer, if possible they will come.

Lord why did you call me to the ministry of Deacon.  Then I read what the gospel says, “Many more became to believe in Him because of his words.”

In this time of need, be good, be holy and preach the gospel of His words by the way you live and love one another. Amen.