Tuesday of Holy Week
April 7, 2020
Greetings Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
Over the 38 years of my priesthood, I have always longed to remember and live again, each year, the great Passion Story of Jesus during Holy Week and Easter. The rich signs and symbols that all point to the living truth about the saving love and mercy of our God in Jesus. This holy season has always filled me with awe, renewed my hope and challenged me to live out of that truth more deeply. The carrying of the palms, the washing of feet, the veneration of the cross, the blessing of the baptismal waters, the lighting of the Easter fire, the singing of the Easter Proclamation, the sharing in the Body and the Blood of Christ: all pointing to the living Christ in our presence…promising to always abide with us.
This year, our hearts are broken and our longings deferred, for we will not be gathering in person. But, it will still be Holy Week. As Blessed Sister Thea Bowman (an American modern day saint) spoke her final words from her death bed some 30 years ago said, “Let us resolve to make this Week Holy”.
Holy Week will not happen in our churches this year, at least not like it has in the past. But let us remember that maybe, more importantly, Holy Week never really did happen in the church. It happens in our lives. We are forced this year to rediscover that. Maybe it is a time for us to rediscover that Holy Week is about much more than reenacting or telling the story of what happened to Jesus long ago. Rather, it is about experiencing, in profound gratitude, Jesus journeying with us, right now, in this Holy Week of our life.
Many are fretting about Holy Week. What are we to do? It is not the same! How can we make it real and full of meaning when we can’t gather together? My friends, I get it. My heart is broken…I desire to be with you all. I am with you in the disappointment.
But, here is what I also understand. This virus ultimately does not stand in opposition to our Holy Week. The virus will not shut us down spiritually. Look into the face of the virus and see the triumphant waving of palm branches in spite of the loss and sickness. See the washing of feet in humble, generous and heroic service trying to fight the virus and heal the sick the lonely and comfort the grieving. See in the moments of doubt, worry, confusion, anger and isolation the opportunity to reposition our agendas, our plans, our motives that will point to a brighter present and future. As a people of faith, we believe that the tomb was found empty after the darkness of sorrow and crucifixion. We believe that Jesus rose above death and sin to bring us a new life…Resurrection Life!!
Look, my friends, into the face of the pandemic and we will see together the most profound and real meaning of Holy Week. It has never been more real than this year. This Holy Week contains all the essential ingredients for the new creation, a new life…a Resurrection Life even in the face of the cross of pandemic.
I don’t know about you…but I can’t wait to gather again as church and celebrate the new life we hope for and know is truth. We will sing Alleluia again, together!!!
Peace and blessings!
Fr. George Couturier
One of our parishioners, Ellen Lowrance, has graciously offered to post pictures “selfies” of your family gathered in your Easter finery on our parish Facebook page. Please feel free to send her photos Easter Day or after to Ellen at:
EllenLowrance@gmail.com
