How do we attack?

In the Gospel today - Jesus is a point of division. Some recognize him as a prophet, others as the Messiah. Still other people attack Jesus - not so much for what he says (remember he spoke with such authority) yet they attack where he is from.  Can any prophet really come from Galilee??? 
The region of Galilee in the northern part of Israel was often considered (in the time of Jesus) to be a "back-water" area - like being a "hill-billy" if you will. How often do we attack people based on where they are from? Their cultural or racial background? How they dress, or the colour of their skin, or the accent they speak with? When they speak truth to us - we cannot attack the words - so we attack where they are from. That they are not from here. They are from "away" - they are not really one of us!
The more times change, the more they stay the same.

Peace

Friday in the 4th week of Lent

The best laid plans of mice and men! I planned to offer a reflection at least every other day - if not daily - here - and it has not been so.
Fr. Jeremias, Fr. Bob, and I have been alone here in the Rectory since Tuesday's orders came from the Province and the Archdiocese to close the church and the office. It has led to us cooking our meals together and praying together.

We have also continued to answer the phones and return messages, as well as care for those who are sick and isolated. I think of those who are frail and who are dying and how this difficult time is even harder for their families as there is even more isolation. 

I think of the many unsung heroes - like grocery store and delivery couriers - who are ensuring that the vital necessities of life are available to us all.

Thursday's daily reading from the book of Exodus detailed the ultimate distraction that the people of Israel faced in the desert at the base of Mount Sinai.  The making of and the worshiping of the golden calf was a clear breaking of the Law that Moses received from God - the Ten Commandments. While we think we do not worship golden calf statues in our lives - what are the things we place so quickly before God?
Money. Prestige. Status. Name Brands - in fashion, vehicles, jewelry, watches, shoes, athletic gear, fragrance...

This sabbath-like time can be a true grace for us - as we push pause on our hectic lives. I pray that you will also use this time to strengthen a prayer life - now possible with fewer distractions!

Peace

Monday of the 4th week in Lent

Monday is usually my day off. I typically sleep in, and have a later "brunch". But these are not typical times!

Fr. Jeremias preached this morning about the healing of the son of the Royal official. While Jesus was in Cana and the boy was in 
Capernaum there was a physical separation - but the healing showed that there was no spiritual separation.

As we continue through this Covid-19 state of emergency, we are separated physically from the sacraments, yet we are not spiritually separated from each other.  Like Jesus and the Royal official's son - we are closer than ever to each other in prayer.

Many of you have seen this image of a priest celebrating Mass with the photos of people in the pews.

While we do not have pictures in the pews - I do think of you parishioners as I look out into the church during the daily masses we are celebrating. Since we are so often creatures of habit - sitting in the same area Sunday after Sunday - as I look out I imagine you sitting in the places you often sit in the assembly!

Be assured of our continued prayers for you and your family!

Peace

4th Sunday in Lent

The Lenten Gospels in Year A are considered the standard for Lent in so many ways. Whenever there are Elect in a Parish, these readings are used - not only in Year A, but in the other years in the Lectionary Cycle. It just so happens that this year is Year A.
These passages from the Gospel of John are so Important because they show Jesus as the Living Water (Woman at Well) The Light of the World (Man born blind) and the Resurrection and the Life (Raising of Lazarus).

In today's gospel - the story runs like a drama, almost like a play with scenes: 
Between Jesus and the man born blind,
   Between that healed man, and those from the old neighbourhood
Between the man and the authorities, 
     The authorities and the healed man's parents,
and finally between the healed man and Jesus.

As the scenes unfold we become increasingly aware that it is those with sight who are blind (spiritually)  and the one who is born blind is the one who is in the light.  He is able to see physically & at the end is able to see spiritually.

Jesus saw the man.  Jesus doesn't walk by.   (Jesus can't walk by!)
The man does not cry out.  Never asks.  
Jesus sees him and goes after him. Like the good Shepherd.

The Physical Healing is described quickly – he went/ he washed/ he can see. The Spiritual seeing – that takes up the rest of the Gospel.
And for all those others – the Neighbours / the Parents / the Pharisees - the question remains - will they ever see?

Jesus says to wash in the pool of Siloam  -  which means sent.
Having encountered the healing love of God in Christ - that means that the man is sent.  He is to be a missionary. Just as the Samaritan Woman was sent as a missionary to her town!

For each of us who are Baptised - and for our elect, who will eventually be Baptised, sharing in the waters of Baptism is not a private thing!
It is deeply personal, but not individualistic! Never private. You are (or will be) sharing in the very mission of Christ - you are sent!
Sent to be a witness of Christ’s Love – Which is light for our world!

The Christ who has pursued each of us - and called each of us – wherever we are right now - to encounter the Father’s Mercy – 
To have the mind of Christ so that we are able – even in the midst of adversity – to rejoice and look forward to the day when we will once again be able to feast at this banquet.

Peace

Each of us is on a Pilgrimage

The Gospel today relates a parable of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee. The Pharisee's prayer is very self centered, grandiose, and prideful - whereas the Tax Collector's prayer is simple and humble. 
There is an element of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in each of us. Each of us is on a pilgrimage from Pride to Humility.
We ask the Lord, even in difficult times, to be our shield, our strength, and accompany us on this pilgrimage - as the Lord's own people.

Peace

Love God, Love Neighbour

Today's Gospel passage has Jesus and the young scribe discussing  what are considered the two greatest commandments: Love God and Love your neighbour. This is the Basics. Everything comes down to these two commandments.

When we are preparing children for first reconciliation, we talk about this passage of scripture with their parents.  At Baptism this passage is referred to as parents are questioned about their readiness to pass on the faith:

You have asked to have your child baptized. In doing so you are accepting the responsibility of training him (her) in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring him (her) up to keep God’s commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor. Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?

I added the emphasis. From our first days as a Christian, it has been the desire of the church to have our Parents and Godparents form us in these 2 great commandments of Jesus.

In times like these we are reminded of what are the Basics.  In our Faith this Passage calls us back to the simplicity of the Good News in which we have been formed from the beginning.

Peace

Solemnity of St. Joseph, Principle Patron of Canada

March the 19th is a solemnity in Canada - the Feast of St. Joseph, the Principal Patron of Canada and the Patron Saint of the Universal Church. As a friend of mine used to say: "It is a national day of celebration in my Country!" This would often be said while having a glass of wine!

"Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Christ. 

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife."                      Matt. 1:16-24 

When I listen to the Gospel passage for Mass today, I think of the Christmas Classic movie "Its a Wonderful Life". In that movie there is an angel (Clarence) who comes to the main character (George) and shows him how valuable he is. Clarence showed George what life would have been like without him. How much worse off their lives would have been without him.

I think that's the reality of today's Gospel. Imagine if the angel had not appeared to Joseph! Imagine how different things could have been if he had not taken Mary as his wife!

Joseph was willing to place himself in harms way, to be the guide and protector of the Holy Family, and today we celebrate his yes to the plan of God, and his fidelity as the husband of Mary.

May God protect all Husbands and Fathers on this feast day of St. Joseph, and may each man in our parish share in the upright integrity that St. Joseph modeled in his life.

St. Joseph - Pray for us!

Peace

Further Measures to Address Covid - 19

The Following are excerpts from a letter we received from Cardinal Collins on Tuesday March 17th:

Mass – In view of the requirements of the Government of Ontario, during this medical emergency, beginning Tuesday, March 17, 2020, I instruct that all public Masses be cancelled, both during the week and on the weekend. 
The faithful will be able to watch, via livestream, a Mass which will be celebrated every day at 7:30 a.m. at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica, which will be followed by the Angelus and the Rosary.

St. Mary's Church will be open for personal prayer:
Mondays: 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesdays: 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesdays: 9:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
(Confessions in the Sacristy at 6:00 p.m.)
Thursdays: 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Fridays: 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
(Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 4:30 – 6 p.m.)
Sundays: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
(Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament all day - 
Praise and Worship music 12:00 noon – 1:30 p.m.)

First Holy Communion, First Reconciliation and Confirmation (including preparation meetings) will be postponed for the duration of the emergency. New Dates will be available after the state of emergency is over.

Sacrament of Reconciliation – Communal celebrations of the Sacrament of Reconciliation are not allowed at this time. 
All those who wish to receive the sacrament should contact the parish office to speak with a priest.
The sacrament is to be celebrated not in a confessional but rather in another location, where confidentiality may be ensured and where the distance required by the health officials can be maintained.
At St. Mary's Parish, the sacrament will be celebrated in the confessional - using the entrance by the Statue of Mary. 

Funerals – During this emergency, there will be no vigils or wake services. The Rite of Committal will take place with the immediate family at the cemetery. There will be no funeral Mass at this time, but we encourage the celebration of a funeral Mass at a later date when it is
possible.

Parish Meetings and Events are cancelled at this time.

While it is a painful moment in the life of the Church to take these extreme measures, we pray that they will aid in combating the pandemic that has affected so many in our own community and around the world.
Once again, we pray for those suffering and for those who are caring for the sick. We are facing many trials during our Lenten journey this year. We take these to prayer, and look for opportunities to be the face of Jesus to all those whom we encounter. 
May God continue to bless you.

Sunday Masses Cancelled

We have received word from Cardinal Collins:

"The Chief Medical Officer of the Province of Ontario is asking that all public gatherings greater than 250 people be cancelled at this time. For this reason, as many of our weekend Eucharistic celebrations will exceed this number, I ask that our Catholic parishes cancel public Mass for the faithful this weekend; we will assess this decision for next weekend and any other that is required after consulting health officials. For this weekend and any other which may be required, I grant the faithful dispensation from their Sunday obligation. Churches should remain open for private prayer and Eucharistic Adoration. Daily Mass will continue during the week."

 A daily televised Mass is available through Salt & Light Catholic Media Foundation (www.saltandlighttv.org) as well as through VisionTV and also online (www.DailyTVMass.com). This provides an additional opportunity to pray for those who are suffering as well as for our health care professionals tending the sick.

Do we need Lent Now?

Do we need Lent  -  Now?

It's so cold and wintery - and I'd rather snuggle up like a couch potato rather than embark out into the desert of lent. Do we need lent now?

There was a time when Christians thought they didn't need lent.
The first real Lenten people were not Christians at all, but those preparing to become Christians. They wore sackcloth and ashes & 
and lived the days before Easter as repentant sinners.
All of this changed when the old timers in the Christian Community noticed something remarkable after the Easter Baptism. They were struck by the Joy and the radiant faces of those just Baptised - and so they too longed to experience the thrill of new birth, new life. 

And so the next year some Christians began to join the Catechumens in their preparation for baptism at Easter.
They Realized that they had become too Ho-Hum in their faith
and decided to do something about it. They too took on sackcloth and ashes & lived as repentant sinners so that they could feel once again the joy of rebirth at Easter. That’s how Lent gradually came to be observed in the church - out of a Need.

Jesus is lead into the desert by the spirit in the Gospel from the first Sunday of Lent. He had just been baptized,  and was full of the Holy Spirit. In the desert Jesus found his first temptations.
Jesus realized who he was and what he was called to do.
He was not the first to be tempted – yet his overcoming temptation 
is a sign - we too can overcome our temptations - whatever they may be. 

Temptation is not necessarily something which draws us towards evil. To tempt also means to try out, to test. Out of the Testing,  Out of the Tempting,  Out of the desert - Jesus realized who he was and what he was called to do.

We cannot force lent upon ourselves, - each of us must find a need for it, a need in ourselves, a need to go out into the desert:
to face both our giftedness and our limitations,
a need to face ourselves, our demons, and our God.
To prepare for Baptism – To prepare to renew our Baptismal Promises.

Even though it is a winter wonderland,  and it all seems so uncomfortable, let’s go into the desert together!!! 
As Brothers and Sisters in Christ prepared to follow God’s Spirit,
Wherever it will lead us!