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."
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