Holy Saturday (Reflection) 2020

Holy Saturday (Reflection)

What happens when our dreams may not come true?  To have dreams makes life worth living.  In the present moment with the pandemic going on a lot of plans for people’s lives are in jeopardy.

David Brooks, the well-known newspaper columnist, shared his reflections last night on the events of the week.  He asked his readers to let him know if they felt like they were in distress and why they were in hurting.  He got an overwhelming response to his question. 

He was able to break the correspondence down into three categories.  The first group that he heard from were the young.  Young people felt like their plans for a bright future have been destroyed.  As they struggle to complete educational requirements and contemplate what kind of jobs might be available in a few years, youngsters do not see a much of a path forward.  If their careers are not obliterated, they will be deferred for a long time so there is sadness.

The second set of people Brooks heard from were the elderly.  The present social distancing has made lonely lives lonelier. If an older person is a widow or widower, they were already feeling isolated.  Now, family and friends can only be seen on a screen. There are no hugs.  There are no affectionate kisses only talking heads on flat screens.

The other group of people that David Brooks received letters from were those who suffered psychological illnesses and addictions.  Many in this category rely on support groups and therapy.  For those in emotional distress or for those who are addicted, social isolation is the last thing they need. The therapeutic process has been interrupted.  All that remains is uncertainty and that may lead to further illness.

If we feel some of this despair today, we probably feel like the disciples of Jesus on the Saturday after his death.  The followers of Jesus were grieving, and they were asking, “What next?”  They had dedicated their lives to the Gospel of Christ, but they found themselves in limbo.  All they could do was wait. 

We wait this Holy Saturday and we have more questions then ever.  Maybe today is a day to listen intently.  Perhaps there are new possibilities. We wait and we try to trust.

Dear Parishioners,

            One of the customs of Catholic Church is the blessing of the Easter water at Easter Mass.  At Sacred Heart Parish, we usually distribute the water for people who want to use this water for prayer at home. This Sunday at our livestreaming Mass at 8 a.m. we will bless holy water.  It would seem very appropriate to use this sacramental to bless our homes this year.  I have a blessing you can use at your house during the Octave of Easter. It is at the end of this Holy Saturday note to you.

            Our home is not our prison even though we might feel like that.  Homes are a place of refuge and safety.  Hopefully, we feel protected and nurtured in our household.  When we go out to travel, how wonderful it is to come back to familiar surroundings. 

            I have noticed that a lot of people have put up hearts in their homes during this pandemic.  I would ask that as parishioners of Sacred Heart we put a butterfly on our front door this Easter Week.  A heart can easily be made into a butterfly.  We don’t have to be great artists. Butterflies are a symbol of the resurrection. 

            Sprinkle the Easter water around your home.  Say the prayer of blessing and put the butterfly on your door.  As Christians our hope lies in the resurrection.  Let’s share that hope with our neighbors this Easter season.

            We will livestream our Easter Mass tomorrow at 8 a.m.

The Lord is Risen!  He is Risen Indeed!

Fr. Mark

Prayer of Blessing

Lord,

We rejoice in the victory of your Son over death: by rising from the tomb to new life he gives us new hope and promise.  Bless all the members of this household and surround them with your protection, that they may find comfort and peace in Jesus Christ, the paschal lamb, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. (From the Book of Catholic Household Blessings)

Amen  

P.S.  Easter water will be placed by the back door of the Sacred Heart rectory. It will be easy to find. If you are going out for groceries or to the pharmacy, stop by and get a bottle of holy water to bless your house.  Please send only one member of your household and keep appropriate social distancing. We will leave the water out throughout this week.