Homily - Fourth Sunday of Lent

It is because of this most extraordinary time of a pandemic caused by COVID19 and its presence among us that we find ourselves celebrating our Sunday Mass the way we are doing it today.

The Season of Lent is a very special time for us. It is a time when persons are preparing to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter. Today they were to have the second Scrutiny. I use this occasion to announce that I dispense all Catechumens from the Scrutinies this Lent. Later, the Catechumens and Candidates will be informed as to the time of their reception into the Church.

The Holy See has issued a decree as to how we are to celebrate the Easter Liturgies in this time of COVID19. It states that the Easter Triduum cannot be transferred to another time. However, the manner in which it is to be celebrated in this time of COVID19 will be modified. I will provide more details on this later.

The Chrism Mass will be postponed to a later date when conditions allow for us to gather in safety. You will be kept informed as we continue along this rather uncertain path before us.

Our worship on this Fourth Sunday of Lent is usually dominated by a rather lengthy gospel reading. It is the miracle story about the man blind from birth who has his sight restored by his encounter with Jesus Christ. (John 9:1-41) Reflecting on this healing story usually dominates our worship on this Fourth Sunday of Lent as we move towards Easter and our celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ the Lord of life and light.

The circumstances of our world at this moment lead us to reflect on today’s Responsorial Psalm. It is Psalm 23. This is the most familiar and best loved of the Psalms and one of the best known passages of Sacred Scripture. In this time of danger and uncertainty and fear, this Psalm is most fitting. It brings us that word of comfort and assurance we so desperately need right now. The Psalm says:

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me comfort.” (Ps. 23:4).

We can be confident of the Lord ‘s presence. As we face the dark valley which is COVID19 we do so sensibly, responsibly and confident of the Lord’s protective presence.

This is a time to take all the proper safety precautions and procedures as we are advised by the proper health authority. This is also the time to look out for each other especially for the most vulnerable, the old and the very young.

This is also a time to pray. Let pray for leaders around the world. Let us pray for the leaders of our own nation our Governor General, Prime Minister, Minister of Health and the entire cabinet. May they be granted the courage, wisdom and serenity of spirit to lead us wisely and well at this time, avoiding all panic and fear and inspiring compassion and care in our population.

We pray for the health care providers, the physicians, nurses all those who are on the front line in our response to this pandemic. We pray for all the uniformed officers who must provide security and order among us.

We pray for the healing of those here and around the world who have contracted the virus. We commend to the Lord all those who have died because of COVID19. Let us pray the we each have a serene spirit and not give in to fear or panic in the face of the current danger.

A prayer composed centuries ago is very apt to our present time.
 

“Lord, I believe in you: give me firmer faith.

I trust in you: make my trust secure.

I love you: let me love you more and more with all my heart.

I am sorry for my sins: give me deeper sorrow.

I worship you as the source of my existence,

I long for you as my final goal,

I praise you as my constant helper,

And call on you as my loving protector.

 

Direct me by your wisdom

Correct me by your Justice,

Comfort me by your mercy,

Protect me by your power.

 

Help me to overcome my appetites by ads tine next,

My greed by generosity,

My anger by gentleness,

My apathy by fervour.

Make me prudent in counsel,

Courageous in danger,

Patient in time of trouble,

Modest and unassuming in time of prosperity.

Keep me Lord, vigilant in prayer,

Moderate in food and drink,

Diligent in my work,

And firm in my good intentions.

 

Teach me to realize how fragile this life is,

How fleeting are the things of time,

How great and lasting are the things that are eternal.

Amen.

 

Beloved in Christ, may the Lord God who created us in love and redeemed us in mercy now protect us from all harm and fear and filling our hearts with courage and hope see us through this perilous time and on to the brighter days ahead.

Amen.