Holy Week

 

From the weekly newsletter of Rev. George Rutler, pastor of the Church of St. Michael the Archangel, in midtown Manhattan:

As I write, the Navy hospital ship “Comfort,” last seen here on the Hudson River after the World Trade Center horror, is passing by our rectory windows. The convention center nearby, usually home to flower and boat shows, is being converted into a huge emergency hospital.

This is how we approach the start of the Holy Week in which the faithful observe the most important thing that ever happened since the world was created. With powerful shock this Lent, mortifications have been imposed by circumstances beyond human control and not chosen by the exercise of free will. Now the Passion will be more powerful, because the Gates of the Temple are closed. The holy apostles thought themselves bereft of the One they hoped might be the Messiah. On the Mount of Olives, three of them slept a depressed sleep, haunted by anxious confusion. Varying circumstances in every generation have given the impression of being abandoned by the One who had promised to be with us always. Blaise Pascal wrote: “Jesus sera en agony jusqu’à la fin du mode: il ne fast pasdormir pendant ce temps-là.” (Jesus will be in agony until the end of the world. We should not sleep during this entire time.) The solemnity of those words was the freight of the confidence that tethers agony to victory.

Now there is even concern that palm branches might be infected. No matter. This will be a great Holy Week, because “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out” (Luke 19:40).

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  1. Jon Gabriel, Ed. Contributor
    Jon Gabriel, Ed.
    @jon

    Thank you, Peter and Fr. George.

    My priest said during a recent liturgy live-stream, “this wasn’t the Lent we wanted, but perhaps it is the Lent we need.”

    • #1
  2. KitJ Inactive
    KitJ
    @KitJ

    Jon Gabriel, Ed. (View Comment):

    Thank you, Peter and Fr. George.

    My priest said during a recent liturgy live-stream, “this wasn’t the Lent we wanted, but perhaps it is the Lent we need.”

    That has been my thinking for the past few weeks. 

    • #2
  3. Mike Rapkoch Member
    Mike Rapkoch
    @MikeRapkoch

    Wonderful message from Bishop Schneider on the banning of public worship and the potential graces God offers us in troubled times.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBQkxeD3x9o

    • #3
  4. Peter Robinson Contributor
    Peter Robinson
    @PeterRobinson

    Jon Gabriel, Ed. (View Comment):

    Thank you, Peter and Fr. George.

    My priest said during a recent liturgy live-stream, “this wasn’t the Lent we wanted, but perhaps it is the Lent we need.”

    Lovely. The convergence of Christian liturgy with the, ahem, wisdom of Mr. Mick Jagger.

    • #4
  5. Hammer, The Inactive
    Hammer, The
    @RyanM

    A blessed Easter to you, Peter. It will be a once in a lifetime (we hope) sort of Easter. As Jon’s priest so beautifully observes, one giving us great cause for reflection.

    (p.s. I have been more grateful than usual for some of the recent podcasts!)

    • #5
  6. Front Seat Cat Member
    Front Seat Cat
    @FrontSeatCat

    Mike Rapkoch (View Comment):

    Wonderful message from Bishop Schneider on the banning of public worship and the potential graces God offers us in troubled times.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBQkxeD3x9o

    Wow! That was very powerful also. Thank you.

    • #6
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