Gospel Reflections for March 29 2020
Your COVID-19 Lenten Journey
We come to the last Sunday of Lent but our Covid-19 journey continues, a journey no one asked to take. Yet, Jesus did not ask for His Way of the Cross either. How can His Lenten Gospels guide you now?
FIRST SUNDAY: Jesus is tempted three times in the desert. Each is a temptation for selfishness; to have power and glory just for yourself. Every sin is a form of selfishness. But if you want lasting happiness you must see life through another person’s eyes and not just your own. Social distancing does that. You may be infected and not even know it, so your distance can protect more vulnerable others.
SECOND SUNDAY: Jesus is transfigured. Jesus reveals His love in a brief burst of light that makes the apostles very happy. Love wonderfully transforms us too. It is also contagious and makes your world a better place …one person at a time. Never stop expressing love. Make your faith, hope, and love contagious …now more than ever!
THIRD SUNDAY: The woman at the well. She had five failed marriages and is now a social outcast; lonely, bitter, and resentful. Jesus melts her hardness with understanding, forgiveness, and mercy. To be known, cared for, and even challenged to grow by wise and loving advice is deeply satisfying. Jesus can move anyone to a hopeful future. Never let this disease infect your heart and soul with despair. Ask Jesus to heal and strengthen your spirit.
FOURTH SUNDAY: The healing of the man born blind. This was the first Sunday without Mass from the California “Stay At Home” order. Families are more closely together now. Healthy families open their eyes to see what is going on, carefully listen to each other’s hopes, fears, and needs, and speak about them respectfully. Jesus heals through honest seeing, truthful speaking, and respectful listening.
FIFTH SUNDAY: Lazarus is raised from the dead. Now all churches are closed. This Gospel also affirms your journey eventually closes with your own mortality. That can surface great questions …why am I here at all, and in this place, and at this time? The answer is to always follow Our Lord. Since we do not have all the time in the world you must use your time well …and to always follow Jesus. (See our video Sunday masses at stbrunochurch.org)
Lent is your journey towards Easter, even in this COVID-19 season. Temptations, transfigurations, forgiveness, open eyes, and facing mortality are life events that lead you forward to God …and lasting happiness.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
When traveling to the Holy Land with Fr. Marty and Fr. Bernie we visited the tomb of Lazarus and were impressed . We are so happy we chose to go.
The Readings for the Daily MASSES in Lent are wonderful. To hear and meditate upon. The addition of isolation gives Lent another dimension.
Hope you are well and enjoying life, Thanks for your reflections and dedication to your vocation.
Tom n Diane Joyce in Altadena,Ca.
I am glad you were able to visit the tomb. It makes the Gospel reading so much more realistic to have seen the actual places over there.
Fr. Dave,
Suffice to say: Simply Wonderful + Apropos!
+Lenten Blessings
You are welcome!
Wonderful analogy, during this trying time. We’ll get through this. Thanks, Father Dave, for your continued observations, relating our Catholic historical faith to our everyday experiences.
You are welcome!
Thank you, Fr. Dave, for the Lenten refreshers!
It is easy to get caught up in the COVID-19 updates that we neglect to reflect
on what Jesus has done foe us. If we can keep them in balance, perhaps it’s the
best we can do.
We ask the Lord to guide us through this time of uncertainty!
Yes, Our Lord never leaves us!
Fr. Dave,
I really like how you broke down the weeks of lent & showed us how we can grow & be closer to Jesus.
One of my daughters works in a hospital in NYC. On Monday of this week she one patient. Tuesday they had 41 patients with CV ,14 going to ICU. It is scary for them. I reminded her of her inner strength because of the Holy spirt in her heart.
I have been making masks & sending to her to pass out to co-workers either to wear over their N95 masks that they can wash every night ,or just when they go out in public for groceries. Article out of Iceland finds that wearing a mask can keep asymptomatic people from spreading the germs.
Thanks be to God we have time for daily mass right now.
God bless
Jane
Please pray for all those people in the world who are ill, those with the corona virus and those with other health issues, too.
Also keep praying for our government officials, most especially our president, who has an awesome responsibility to help the nation pull through this pandemic.
Our lives have changed, but we will get through this with God’s help and love.
God bless all.
Thank you for posting the link to your Sunday morning mass at St. Bruno’s.
Your homily was wonderful as I always remember them being here at St. Paschal’s.
Filled with encouragement & hope. I miss the mass so much.
Do you think we will every be able to go back to mass again?
God Bless
Father Dave,
Thank you for the reminder of What Happens at Mass. After reading this I didn’t realize how much I missed receiving the Lord and how preciouses the Eucharist is for us Catholics. This is exactly the message I needed at this time to cope with the Social Distancing.
God Bless you and keep you safe.
JoAnn
Thank you! I am glad you liked the article on the Mass.