Staying close to God in times of need
Fourth Sunday of Lent (A)
We are all experiencing being denied aspects to our life that shape our identity. It may be participation in sport, joining crowds for big events, engaging in social occasions. The pattern of our life has been seriously interrupted. We are being forced into isolation.
As Catholics being denied the opportunity to attend a Sunday Mass is a distressing experience, particularly for those who have never missed Mass over a long lifetime. Now we are joining our fellow Catholics in Singapore and Sri Lanka, in Rome and Madrid, cut off from the normal source of our spiritual nourishment.
As with citizens across the globe the shape of our life has been dramatically altered. This brings with it uncertainty and confusion, anxiety and fear. The panic buying has revealed the underlying fragility of our human nature. Our life is made safe and secure when everything is as it should be. Once there is a serious disruption our vulnerability is exposed.
Attending Sunday Mass lies at the heart of Catholic life. The Mass is, as the Second Vatican Council teaches, the source and summit of the Christian life. Without access to Mass we can feel spiritually abandonned.
The third of the Ten Commandments tells us to “Keep holy the Sabbath Day”. For Christians, the Sabbath is the day of the Resurrection, Sunday. We describe Sunday as the Lord’s Day. The primary way in which we honour this commandment is by attending Sunday Mass.
However, there are means by which we can honour the Lord’s Day. Today you are able to link in with the celebration of Mass via its electronic transmission. This enables you to be united with the liturgical celebration of the Fourth Sunday of Lent, with its prayers and readings.
When we come to time for the distribution of Holy Communion we can make what is known in our Catholic tradition as a “Spiritual Communion”. St Thomas Aquinas described a Spiritual Communion as “an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and in lovingly embracing Him as if we had actually received Him.” We will say a prayer for spiritual communion during this Mass.
Honouring the Lord’s Day can include setting aside time for personal or family prayer. Parishes will be providing some resources to assist you in this. There is great benefit in gathering together as a family and uniting in prayer.
Indeed, the grave threats to health and the general wellbeing of humanity call on us to intensify our prayer. Prayer unites us more deeply with God and can be a source of comfort and reassurance. Prayer should include intercession for the world. We turn to God and ask for his mercy upon all of humanity, and pray for an end to the scourge of the coronavirus.
In our Catholic tradition we instinctively seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In this we are encouraged by the example of Pope Francis who has visited Marian shrines in Rome and prayed for the protection of humanity. We can say the Rosary.
This is a time to intensify our prayer. Such prayer is calm and hopeful. Such prayer is grounded in a confident trust in God. Such prayer is addressed to God as our Father who will always hear and give His children what He knows is good. (Mt 7:11)
To all people I say that the Church stands with you and will not abandon you in this time of crisis. The priests want to accompany you in the time ahead and offer spiritual support in whatever way they can. Churches will remain open and I encourage you to visit your church for quiet personal prayer. There will be times of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament provided in many parishes. Priests will be available for the Sacrament of Penance. In particular, priests are always available to visit the sick and especially those in danger of death, obviously complying with protocols established by health officials. The Sacraments will be available to all who need them.
In this time of uncertainty let us entrust ourselves to the Lord. In the Gospel reading today we heard the words of Christ, “I am the Light of the world”. We turn to Jesus who will enlighten our way forward. With Him we will not be abandoned to darkness or fear.We seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I quote from the words of Pope Francis: “Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties of we who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin”.
Archbishop Julian Porteous
Sunday, 22 March 2020