How quickly everything can change. Two weeks ago our church was filled with people and all restaurants were open as usual. Last week our church was half full and some restaurants were open just without the normal crowd. This Sunday there is no longer public Mass in the United States as well as most of the world and very quickly we see stores closed and restaurants solely offering take out service. How different will the world look when Mass is offered next Sunday?
With this quick transformation of society I must agree that things are pretty scary. Anytime that we are not in control it is easy to be afraid. Nevertheless, this blind man in our Gospel realized that in the midst of the turmoil of his daily life that he needed Christ. Through his faith he came to see and what was once thrust into darkness was brought to light.
So too in the midst of all this turmoil and uncertainty we must place our faith in the Lord. I do not know what will happen to myself nor do you know what will happen to you and your family. What I do is that from the cross that we are forced to embrace always springs forth the reality of the Lord’s Resurrection. From this reality we are given the Christian virtue of hope. Even if we are not open for public Masses come Easter this season will still spring forth. May we continue to use these Lenten days to enter more fully into our faith and relationship with Christ. If we can learn place our anxieties here there will be nothing for us to worry about for eventually the light will shine forth from the darkness.
Psalm 23 is most beautiful for it reminds us of all that the Good Shepherd does for us. Christ is this Shepherd who provides for us in so many ways especially in the Most Holy Eucharist. At this time when many go deprived of it I hope we will grow in our appreciation of such a wonderous gift. I invite you during this time of uncertainty and disconnectedness to make a spiritual communion each day especially on Sunday. I also remind you that we are keeping the church open for private prayer each day from 8am-8pm. From the silence of this Church Christ continues to dwell with us in the Eucharist and calls out to each of you to place your trust in His merciful hands.
The blind man in our Gospel came to place his trust here and he who was once cast into darkness came to encounter this great light. So too will we who are tried upon this earth eventually come to see this same light for ourself. Let us cast sin away and embrace this purifying light that is Christ our Lord. The road which is now set before us may seem to be long and without hope, but that is not the case. Christ is the shining light that always casts the darkness of sin and doubt away. May we place our faith and trust in Christ and allow His Resurrection to to bring light into our life.
