The Day the Earth Stood Still

     The striking images of well known places around the world that are empty or nearly so, devoid of crowds and the normal activity of life, are chilling.  To see empty churches, and an empty Saint Peter Square and Basilica with a handful of faithful joining the Holy Father in these Liturgies of the Sacred Triduum, is disconcerting.  To hear of the sufferings of so many worldwide through illness or economic hardships, added to the never-ending world at war, rips at our hearts.

     Today our Triduum takes us to the hill of Calvary, not to a mountaintop wrapped in glory nor to a city jubilant with pilgrims for a feast nor to the quiet intimacy of family gathered for a meal.  On this mountain, on this hill of sacrifice, in the midst of a fragile and needy world stands a Cross, an image of death, which, by the One sacrificed on that Cross, draws us from death and despair to the truth of Eternal Life.

     I was born and raised in Uniontown, Pennsylvania.  Outside of town, on Summit Mountain the Methodist church has a training camp at Jumonville Glen.  On the top of the mountain stands a large Cross which everyone from miles around can see and reflect upon.
This first image is of the Cross on a winter's day ... and the second is a striking image of the place of the Cross in the midst of the world.

    On Golgotha those many years ago, the world stood still.  The universe paused in its existence to witness the end of everything the world held important.  This was literally "the end of the world".  No longer would/could things be the same.  A death came and touched our life in order that a Life beyond imagining would bring us to the beauty of Truth and the Glory of God as He had desired for us.

     Pilate asked: "What is truth?"  He knew of power, influence, Caesars, politics, loyalty, all the things held important by the world ... but he did not know truth because he did not recognize Jesus.  In his dwelling among men he would not look upon Jesus Crucified and therefore would still hunger for truth.

     Even those who were given the promise of God's love through the Law and the prophets, the religious leaders of the people, cried out to Pilate: "We have no king but Caesar."  Blinded to the truth, they were blinded to the reality of life that God had called them to treasure.

     On that day the earth stood still.  In our day the world is in a "pause mode" because of a pandemic.  In the depth of our hearts on this Good Friday, there must be a moment to stand still, to pause and pray and to encourage each other when we gaze upon the Cross of Christ: "Come, let us worship!"

The 2020 Triduum

     40 Days ago we began a time of "stepping aside" from our normal schedules and routine to journey through a season of reflection, penance, prayer and sacrifice.  This time we call LENT.  As the image above describes, it begins with Ash Wednesday and proceeds through a period described by the words surrounding LENT.  Those 40 days are like a mini retreat.  Bishop Malesic in a response to an email from me noted that this year's "retreat" was unlike any we may have ever made.  Our lives are so changed from the "ordinary" that we approach these transitional days with hearts ready for the Good News of the Resurrection ... the good news of hope and of an Easter morn that will see us through our Good Friday of this pandemic and the silence of waiting that is Holy Saturday of waiting for the end of death and the joy of the Father's promise.

     We move through Three Sacred Days, the first of which is this Holy Thursday.  It is the day of preparation ... a time of gathering as family in the intimacy of our common table, to be fed with the food that will sustain us on our road to the Cross.

    But this year our churches are closed, there are no liturgies with the faithful present, and we rely upon a spiritual nourishment that will see us through but will have us hunger even more for the Bread of Life.  These are terribly difficult moments for the faithful of every faith ... but for us, who cherish the Eucharist, the hunger is overwhelming.

     A suggestion ... since this celebration of the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper involves the gathering of family around the table ... if you have not done so today, gather with those you can tomorrow and share your love, share your table, and share your faith story.

     Christ instituted the priesthood at this Holy Thursday Supper, so pray for the Holy Father, Pope Francis ... pray for Bishop Malesic of our Diocese, Bishop Brandt, and all bishops ... pray for your priests and all of those who have shared in the ordained priesthood ... and pray for and be there for each other in love and charity.

In 1st Corinthians 11 Paul has Jesus say: "This is my body that is for you.  This is the cup of the new covenant in my blood ... Do this in remembrance of me."