April 21, 2020 Thirty-Fourth Day of Prayer at Home and Not in Church
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
I miss you! I miss celebrating Mass together. I’m eager as are we all, to again lift our voices in praise and worship together and with our Blessed Mother Mary. Thanks be to our Lord that as I celebrate Mass, each day, either at our Altar or at my kitchen counter, Jesus is truly and substantially present. His One, Perfect Holy Sacrifice is re-presented and Graces flow to our parish people. Thank you, Jesus, that you never leave us helpless or alone … even when much else is frightening, tragic and uncertain. You are there in the Eucharist as you promise. You are there as we adore you in front of Saint Mary Church on Divine Mercy Sunday. And you are there in our family devotions and in our personal prayers.
This past month has been trying in many ways. Times of frustration and anger … but also opportunities to
“wait on the Lord” and trust his provision for us in new ways. The chance to spend more time in Sacred Scripture. Times to regain the habits of Rosary and family prayer. Opportunities to discover the rich spiritual resources available by Internet and email correspondence. And, 'Yes’, times when parents must go to a quiet corner when kids melt-down over their 'virtual learning homework!'
I don’t know what the coming days will bring in the way of directions from the Bishop. We all want answers to when active worship may resume in our Diocese and what new procedures and precautions will be in effect. The Bishop and his priests are giving all this careful thought and prayer. Things will be different and we’ll be finding “new normals.” Prudent health precautions of some form or another will be necessary ... probably for many weeks and months to come. I don’t have answers yet to these questions. So, with you I wait and ask for patience.
This is not a
'patience of endurance.’ Instead, it is the
'patience of trust.’ Let us call to mind and heart the caption of the Divine Mercy image:
“Jesus, I Trust in You." ✜
Personal Prayer Request - Ginny and I bid your prayers for our uncle Monsignor Frank McGann (95), a priest of the 71 years in the Archdiocese of Boston. He is near death in Mass General Hospital with a combination of pneumonia and COVID-19. “Uncle Frankie” was at my ordinations to both Anglican and Roman Orders and concelebrated my First Catholic Mass. May God give him a peaceful and holy death.
Thank you, my friends, in Christ with Mary,
Father John