Category: hope

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A Church In Holy Saturday Mode

In my last post, and especially in my poem, my intention was to open my heart fully and express the anguish that yesterday’s news brought to me.  Yesterday, in a real sense, was a Good Friday moment for us all.  It was a time to weep, a time to mourn.  In one sense, we may feel as though the Lord has been taken away (even though He remains among us) and we do not know where they have put Him.

Now that we are absorbing the news of the suspension of public Masses, where are we? We long for Easter, for a Resurrection, for the full restoration of our Eucharistic celebrations.  Until then, we find ourselves in Holy Saturday mode. Continue reading “A Church In Holy Saturday Mode”

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Who Will Weep With Me?

Yesterday, my diocese joined many others in suspending the celebration of all public Masses for an indefinite time.  I was asked if I could write something instructive, encouraging and hope-filled for the next issue of Harvest, our diocesan magazine.

Hope-filled?  Yes, there is reason to hope.  As the Scriptures assure us, hope does not disappoint.  The favors of the Lord are not spent.  His mercies are not exhausted.  They are renewed each morning.

However, before we can speak a true word of hope, we must speak true words that acknowledge fully our plight.  We must express our pain and sorrow.  Otherwise, our words of hope will seem unreal, naïve, and escapist.  It is in this spirit that I offer the following. Continue reading “Who Will Weep With Me?”

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Visions of Advent

Second Sunday of Advent (A)

 

Have you ever visited Washington, DC?

Whether we have or haven’t been there, the very name evokes a series of images and feelings in our minds.  For some people, Washington means distant bureaucrats who haven’t a clue about how ordinary Americans live or the problems they face.  For others, Washington is a symbol of corruption and partisan strife.  For still others, it is a place where nothing of substance is ever accomplished, and where politicians are more interested in placing the blame than in repairing the game. Continue reading “Visions of Advent”

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Will We Make It Through December?

First Sunday of Advent (C)

This year, we begin Advent at the same time that we enter December. The secular Christmas sales machine has been running furiously for some time already. We are not even allowed to pause for one day to give thanks before Black Friday forces itself into our awareness. The stores, decked out in Christmas décor, soothe our harried spirits with holiday muzak.  Our TVs show the expected Christmas fare once again.  Continue reading “Will We Make It Through December?”