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Thank you, thank you, thank you........ What character in a 1960's sitcom involving the Marine's was known to say the two words "thank you" three times in a row.....(Gomer Pyle). I must admit that I have heard and appreciate those two words being said to me NOT three times in a row, but multiple times over these last 6 or 7 weeks by different people expressing their appreciation for getting my robo calls during this time of physical estrangement because of the coronavirus.
Little did I or anyone know that when Fr. Y.C. of happy memory, told me of this way of communicating with parishioners, that I would be in position to use it so much, especially in these difficult times that started for most of us spiritually after the Masses of March 14-15. While I know there are some who don't like to get robo calls from anyone, including their pastor, I also realize how important these calls have been to some who have not been able to come here for Mass or come to church at all. Besides sharing some information that I hope applies to many more people than not, I have heard people say to me over the phone or in person, something like "Thank you Father, it's good to hear your voice in these difficult times." I have come to the conclusion......... after hearing this said to me more than a few times......that "hearing your voice" means keeping me (and fellow parishioners) connected to the Lord and to the parish (it's people that I miss being with on Saturday evening, Sunday morning or for some of you more often than that.
In today's Gospel from John on this 4th Sunday of Easter (and sadly the 7th Sunday that we have not had public Mass at Sacred Heart Church), the importance of hearing a voice, especially Jesus' voice as the Good Shepherd is something well worth us pondering today (any day). In the difficult times we've been going through with the Coronavirus there are some who would not dare miss hearing (directly or indirectly) the voice of elected officials, health care experts and others about "where things stand" with the virus and when businesses and activities will open and happen. While their voices are certainly important and affect our lives so very much, causing at times some GOOD thoughts and feelings......
and sometimes BAD thoughts or feelings, today's Gospel is urging us and all people in this time and ALL TIMES to pay attention to Jesus' voice and ALWAYS follow him in the green pastures of love, peace and mercy in this life to the eternal pastures of our heavenly home.
As I hope and pray that we have listened attentively to the voice of the chief shepherd of our diocese, Bishop Taylor during this difficult time in our secular and Sacramental lives (and that includes a letter that I hope you have received by e-mail yesterday or we have in the Narthex of our church from THURSDAY), I would like to repeat something the bishop said to the priests of our diocese through an e-mail earlier in the week. It was one sentence in that e-mail that touched me, and I'm confident will stay with me for a long time after we hear from our governor on Monday and our bishop on Wednesday of this coming week about the resumption of church services stating when it will start and how it can be done. That sentence from the bishop says PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO RECEIVE THE EUCHARIST. I hope you echo my sentiments....the sooner the better!!! I also pray that many of you who have heard and continue to hear the voice of Jesus speaking words of comfort, love and hope, in your prayer time, through reading or hearing his Words in holy scripture, AND through the kind words or actions of family, friends, or even strangers......will agree that there is nothing more important than hearing Jesus after receiving him in HOLY COMMUNION at Mass OR if necessary at home, remembering what he said earlier, in the 6th chapter of John: "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him." (Jn. 6:56), OR how about his voice speaking to us after we receive him in Holy Communion (hopefully soon) in words like those in 1st verse of the familiar song, "You Are Mine." "I will come to you in the silence, I will lift you from all your fears, you will hear my voice, I claim you as my choice, be still and know I am near."
Little did I or anyone know that when Fr. Y.C. of happy memory, told me of this way of communicating with parishioners, that I would be in position to use it so much, especially in these difficult times that started for most of us spiritually after the Masses of March 14-15. While I know there are some who don't like to get robo calls from anyone, including their pastor, I also realize how important these calls have been to some who have not been able to come here for Mass or come to church at all. Besides sharing some information that I hope applies to many more people than not, I have heard people say to me over the phone or in person, something like "Thank you Father, it's good to hear your voice in these difficult times." I have come to the conclusion......... after hearing this said to me more than a few times......that "hearing your voice" means keeping me (and fellow parishioners) connected to the Lord and to the parish (it's people that I miss being with on Saturday evening, Sunday morning or for some of you more often than that.
In today's Gospel from John on this 4th Sunday of Easter (and sadly the 7th Sunday that we have not had public Mass at Sacred Heart Church), the importance of hearing a voice, especially Jesus' voice as the Good Shepherd is something well worth us pondering today (any day). In the difficult times we've been going through with the Coronavirus there are some who would not dare miss hearing (directly or indirectly) the voice of elected officials, health care experts and others about "where things stand" with the virus and when businesses and activities will open and happen. While their voices are certainly important and affect our lives so very much, causing at times some GOOD thoughts and feelings......
and sometimes BAD thoughts or feelings, today's Gospel is urging us and all people in this time and ALL TIMES to pay attention to Jesus' voice and ALWAYS follow him in the green pastures of love, peace and mercy in this life to the eternal pastures of our heavenly home.
As I hope and pray that we have listened attentively to the voice of the chief shepherd of our diocese, Bishop Taylor during this difficult time in our secular and Sacramental lives (and that includes a letter that I hope you have received by e-mail yesterday or we have in the Narthex of our church from THURSDAY), I would like to repeat something the bishop said to the priests of our diocese through an e-mail earlier in the week. It was one sentence in that e-mail that touched me, and I'm confident will stay with me for a long time after we hear from our governor on Monday and our bishop on Wednesday of this coming week about the resumption of church services stating when it will start and how it can be done. That sentence from the bishop says PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO RECEIVE THE EUCHARIST. I hope you echo my sentiments....the sooner the better!!! I also pray that many of you who have heard and continue to hear the voice of Jesus speaking words of comfort, love and hope, in your prayer time, through reading or hearing his Words in holy scripture, AND through the kind words or actions of family, friends, or even strangers......will agree that there is nothing more important than hearing Jesus after receiving him in HOLY COMMUNION at Mass OR if necessary at home, remembering what he said earlier, in the 6th chapter of John: "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him." (Jn. 6:56), OR how about his voice speaking to us after we receive him in Holy Communion (hopefully soon) in words like those in 1st verse of the familiar song, "You Are Mine." "I will come to you in the silence, I will lift you from all your fears, you will hear my voice, I claim you as my choice, be still and know I am near."