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Moving Forward with COVID-19

This morning, I sense the need and the desire to return to the topic of coronavirus once more.

Why?

Well, for one thing, I have written two posts on this already.  Like Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, I feel an urge to make this a trilogy!

Secondly, the situation is rapidly evolving. Some of my comments over the weekend are already outdated.  Many cities and states and countries are severely restricting or closing down restaurants, bars, and other businesses that deal with significant numbers of people daily.

Thirdly, I have had many responses from people, both online and in person, to my weekend posts that have given me the opportunity for further reflection on all that is happening. Continue reading “Moving Forward with COVID-19”

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COVID-19 and Sunday Mass

I find that I must write a follow-up to yesterday’s post.

Yesterday – Friday the 13th, no less – I learned that several dioceses, including the Archdiocese of Boston, have decided to cancel all Sunday Masses for the time being in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

I have been sitting with this news since yesterday and pondering it.  What does this mean? How am I reacting to it? As an autistic person, it can take some time to sort out my thoughts and feelings over anything.  The more I stay with it, however, the more I see that there is one word, and only one word, that is fitting to express my response to this.

I am scandalized. Continue reading “COVID-19 and Sunday Mass”

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Coronavirus and Faith

A Catholic Response to COVID-19

For the last several weeks, we have been watching the coronavirus epidemic unfold, from its beginnings in China barely two months ago to the first confirmed case in Maine this week.  The World Health Organization has formally pronounced the coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic – meaning that it has spread worldwide.  Several aspects of the coronavirus outbreak create or heighten anxieties and fears.  For one thing, this is a new strain, and medical professionals are still learning about it.  For another, we have seen media reports of its effects and the responses various countries have made to it.  We have seen people of all walks of life affected by it.  Many activities that we take for granted have been delayed or cancelled because of it.  Our economy is affected by it. Continue reading “Coronavirus and Faith”

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Misfits For Christ

Second Sunday of Lent (A)

 

Did you miss me?  : )

First, a brief personal comment.  Then, my reflection on this Sunday’s readings.

Whenever I do not send out a post, it is usually because I have been hit with a significant headache and find it painful to look at a glowing display. On one Saturday, the headache was so bad, and my efforts to control it so futile, that I had no choice but to cancel Confessions and Mass that afternoon. Mass in front of a larger crowd – as one would get on Sundays – is doubly difficult for me. I feel the energy flow from all these people hitting me, as though I were standing right in front of a bright spotlight.  I also am very sensitive to certain sounds. It’s called hyperacusis. The crinkling of a cough drop wrapper, or someone whispering in the back, can be annoying, even painful, for me.  I cannot go to the annual Chrism Mass because it is not sensory-friendly, nor is anyone there likely to turn down the music volume just for me.  The solution is to have Mass only for small groups at the most.  This also is in harmony with my contemplative calling.  My psychologist’s recommendation agrees with this.  It looks like I’ll need to hang in there for another year before I can have this happen for me.  I simply can’t afford to make ends meet otherwise – not until I am old enough to begin to collect Social Security (June 2021).   Please keep me in your prayers so that I can survive in the meantime. Continue reading “Misfits For Christ”

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What Does The Scripture Say?

Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time (A): Matthew 5:38-48

 

Our Gospel reading for today offers us abundant riches and abundant challenges.  Three years ago, the last time we saw this Gospel, I addressed the question of what Jesus meant by “Be perfect”.  You can find that post here. This time, I will focus my attention on a different issue that our Gospel reading raises: the issue of how we understand the Bible.

The Bible plays an extremely important role in the lives of Catholics and, indeed, of all Christians.  This seems so obvious that it might not need to be said.  In the Mass, we not only have the Liturgy of the Word, comprised of readings from Scripture; many of the prayers and responses during Mass are based on Scripture.  We are all encouraged to read the Bible regularly and to use it as a source of divine wisdom to guide our lives.  We venerate the Bible as a unique record of God’s dealings with His people. Continue reading “What Does The Scripture Say?”