Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ.
 
Fourth Sunday of Easter
May 3, 2020
 
In the Name of the Father and of the Son ♦ and of the Holy Spirit
 
The merciful love of the Lord fills the earth
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, alleluia
 
Almighty everliving God, lead us to a share in the joys of heaven,
so that the humble flock may reach where the brave Shepherd has gone before.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, fear ever and ever.   Amen
 
Acts 2:14a, 36-41  ♦ Psalm 23   ♦  1 Peter 2:20b-25   ♦  John 10:1-10

As Eastertide 2020 proceeds we are asked again by our Governor and by our Bishops to continue the health safety precautions brought on by the Coronavirus pandemic.  Public affairs, commerce and gathered worship are suspended or curtailed for a time.  We’ve been in this “strange world” since March 17 … for forty-six days.  Now we’re looking at another twenty-six days.  Bothersome and annoying?  Yes.
 
But in a larger sense, our informed consciences instruct us that these suspensions are not only administrative directives by the Governor and Bishops.  The restrictions to our movements and free-association have important ethical dimensions.  We’re aware that our freedoms are curtailed for our own protection  and to avoid harming others.  If we all were machines with built-in barriers to protect ourselves and others, things would be easier.  But we're humans not a mindless machines.  When someone says that we must restrict our behavior, we can chose to comply.  We can be patient in recognizing a larger common good.  But as the restrictions continue and continue … and continue, we may grow impatient, irritable and maybe rebellious.  Like the children who cannot understand why they’re cooped up.  The high school and college senior with no prom or commencement.  The adult with a career to pursue ... or worse yet ... who’s laid off.
 
Perhaps today’s second reading from first Peter provides a needed practical and spiritual perspective:
 
But if you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God.  For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered  for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.
 
Sometimes we suffer not as victims of persecution, but because doing what is necessary and right can be uncomfortable and inconvenient.  Christian freedom is not the right to do what we like … but the choice to do the right even when it’s not what we like.  Here we come to the leading point from Peter’s instruction, Patience.  This is not one of the Cardinal Virtues taught by our Catholic Faith.  Instead, Patience is a disposition of the will that results from faithful practice of the Cardinal Virtues:

• Prudence – determining what is good and choosing the right way to accomplish it.
• Justice – giving what is due to God and to others
• Fortitude – constant pursuit of good even in the face of obstacles.
• Temperance – moderation of attractions for a balanced use of material goods.

Practicing these ethical habits develops in us the disposition of Patience.  Saint Peter teaches that Patience to 'suffer in doing what is good, is a grace before God' … Holy and Righteous in his sight.
 
Look upon your flock, kind Shepherd, and be pleased to settle in eternal pastures
the sheep you have redeemed by the Precious Blood of your Son.
Who loves and reigns for ever and ever.  Amen
 
May God Bless you and your family and enable you by his Grace to increase the holy habits of Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance leading you to greater Patience.
 
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Prayer
Our prayers for each other are precious in the eyes of the Lord.  We are developing and reviving various appropriate ways to advise one another of our special prayer needs.  Sometimes the ‘way’ may be by broad appeal.  In other situations the ‘way’ must be discrete and private.  Often, the way of prayer goes hand-in hand with pastoral Sacraments.  In ALL these ways we seek to honor the Lord and to serve our brothers and sisters. Further announcements are coming next week.
 
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Your loving pastor in Christ with Mary,
Father John