Father Chris: A Message to My Parish Family for Holy Week, 2020.
Many of us may be anxious, frustrated, fearful, even angry at this time. However, Keith Ashford, the Kingston author of “Anger: A Message For Men” assures us what is important to emphasize at times like this is that all emotions are temporary. Lately, I visit the lake, sitting in my car, letting its vastness calm my own feelings of concern. Keith would say, “the turbulence of [emotions like] anger can be compared to the waves whipped up on the lake by a strong wind. [But] like all disturbances, the condition is [temporary]. It will blow for a while, then stop. Anger [and other unpleasant emotions are] strictly a surface phenomenon. A fathom below the surface, all is calm, quiet and still. … There are passing disturbances [in us], but deep down we are undisturbed by life’s ups and downs.” But what might be causing these waves right now, our negative emotions? Perhaps it’s about ‘certainty’; how can we be ‘certain’ in ‘uncertain’ times? Lately, we have heard a lot of advice and guidance from mental health experts. Psychologists claim work is a kind of ‘vaccine’ against mental illness. With 6.8 million people out of work, they say we are experiencing a ‘mental health assault’. In what some call a ‘loneliness epidemic’, the suicide rate is escalating. China is experiencing a 30% increase in separations and divorces following the release of couples together for weeks of solitary isolation. Lack of ‘certainty’ during the outbreak has been called the ‘key culprit’, contributing to loss of hope, and the wearing down of our mental wellness. But Ecclesiastes tells us, “For everything there is a season, a time for every matter under heaven.” Indeed, there is a time for everything: for loving, caring and sharing, for satisfying work and self-expression, as well as all the other necessities of life. And this should give us hope! … But why? Because time, by definition, tells us everything has a beginning and an end, which should give us confidence our current challenging time will come to an end. It is inevitable! All things pass, must pass, because the essence of life itself is change, moving forward into a new and different reality in this material world. But much more important, our Faith gives us the ultimate confidence that, like Julian of Norwich said during her time of plague: ‘All is well, all is well, and all manner of thing is well.’ Knowing God is truly the One in charge, should dispel and relieve ‘uncertainty’. In his will and wisdom, and in his own time, God knows what he is about. He knows what we need, ushering us somehow mysteriously into a place of profound ‘learning’ and of a ‘love’ much deeper than we can ever comprehend. But, ‘What is this ‘learning’? What kind of ‘love’ comes from suffering like this?’ We are learning many things! How important community is. How interdependent we are. And that we must support each other with love, honour and integrity. That like Simon, we must help each other carry our crosses. We need each other! I was pleased to hear from a parishioner they now had all the time in the world to take our Lenten challenge, to sit in silence 5 mins and wait for the Lord. They remembered they are never alone. Christ who bore our sins upon his cross is with us always, ready to meet us in our inner stillness, as we uncover relationship with him in a world which has suddenly stopped. And what is this deeper love? I heard it, from a distance, when a child in the park next door screamed with delight to his parents he’d never had so much fun. I saw it, from a distance, on television, when a father held his son close to him to keep him from harm, on their first allowed outing in the Italian sunshine. Yes, God has put the brakes on our hectic, manic world, and, in a mysterious way, is teaching us many things, especially to confront ourselves, our inner selves, to dispel the negativity there, and to love the beautiful person we find there; to learn a deeper love for others as well: our spouses, children, friends, our neighbours, co-workers, our world, and, especially, our God and Creator. We have a cross to bear right now. Take up this heavy cross and learn from it. Learn of the love living on that Cross – the Name above all names, Jesus Christ. And as you sit quietly, resting in the silence of your heart, waiting for the Lord, you can rest in the certainty of ‘two things’: that this difficult time will end, … and that the Lord, Our God, loves you. We are his beloved. Learn from his Cross to carry your own cross with love, and above all, be certain of his love, … because, “All is well. All is well. And all manner of things is well.” Although we are doing everything possible to keep costs at a minimum, ongoing operating costs, such as utilities, unfortunately do not stop, even when the building is empty. Thank you so much for your generosity. May God bless and keep you and yours safe. Peace in Christ, Fr. Chris Rev. Fr. Christopher
5 Comments
Eunice MacIntyre
4/10/2020 10:51:56 am
Thank you Father Chris
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Deborah & Brent Jennings
4/10/2020 03:29:11 pm
Thank you Father Chris for Palm Sunday, Adoration & your inspiring words, so comforting during this most beautiful Holy Week. Keeping you, our Parish Community & our St Joseph's & St. Patrick's churches in our hearts, thoughts & prayers. We are truly blessed!
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Kathleen Keais
4/11/2020 04:18:52 pm
Thank you father I felt inspired
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Pat and Larry Bowers
4/12/2020 08:55:19 am
Thank you 🙏 for your broadcast Easter Sunday! It was so nice to feel connected with our parish community and share the Lord’s supper on this, most special Sunday.
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Keith Walsh
4/15/2020 08:18:54 am
Thank you Father Chris, for those wise thoughts on putting our lives into perspective during this difficult time; for helping us put God first. We must, as you say, be patient and realize, that we will get through this, but in the meantime we must learn to bear our cross.
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Rev. Fr. Christopher Tracey
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