Word to the Wise
Saturday, March 28, 2020 - 4th Week of Lent - Sat
[Jer 11:18-20 and John 7:40-53]So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why did you not bring him?" The guards answered, "Never before has anyone spoken like this man." [John]
As Holy Week approaches during this terrible time of virus plague, we have also the increasing drama of Jesus' last days. Palm Sunday is still a week away but the scriptures are already highlighting the tension between Jesus and his adversaries. The latter are infuriated when the very guards they send to arrest Jesus are captivated by his words and fail to bring him in! "Never before has anyone spoken like this man."
During this real time of tension and concern over the health of our loved ones, neighbors and nation, when many are already mourning the loss of loved ones to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) illness, sources of comfort are much in need. The gospels are, in large part, the memory of the community not only about his suffering, death and resurrection but about his WORDS. "Never before has anyone spoken like this man."
Our public liturgical celebrations are now available to us on the internet or not at all. For years, Catholic humor has envisioned "drive by" confessionals. Now they are a reality!! Here in Lubbock, our daily and Sunday Masses are available online at <raidercatholic.org> Monday to Friday at 5:30PM CDT and Sunday at 10AM CDT. Confessions are being heard but in settings that require penitents to stay in their cars until an individual comes out of the vestibule/socially distant confessional! It all seems a bit surreal. What remains in stable form and is available to us 24/7 are the WORDS of Jesus in the scriptures. "Never before has anyone spoken like this man." There is comfort there in the midst of a very uncomfortable Lent 2020. AMEN