Weekly Bulletin 29th March 2020

Sunday 29^th March  2020        Fifth Sunday of Lent

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Today is the Fifth Sunday of Lent: Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead in the Gospel of today. Lazarus locked in a tomb by death was released by the power of Jesus word. Many of us are locked in our homes during these days of crisis because of the coronavirus outbreak. It is a time of crisis. Months ago we heard of this disease happening in a distant land, now it is up close and personal! Schools closed, churches locked, many are losing their income and the ever present threat of the disease is all around us.  The Chinese have two meanings for the word “crisis” – “danger” or “opportunity”. When we are in a crisis what it demands of us is choice. In our isolation during these days we may experience upset, loneliness, boredom and stress, and we can chose to allow these emotions to rule us. We will get through this – but what kind of person will we be when we get to the other side?  Stronger or weaker? Generous or selfish? Jean- Pierre de Caussade, an 18^th century Jesuit priest, gave a spiritual thrust to the doctrine of providence. He thought that all things in life come from the benevolent hand of God and he urged “abandonment” “Every moment we live through” he declared, “is like an ambassador who declares the will of God, and our hearts always utter their acceptance” We are all in this situation, awful as it is, but we are not alone. We can waste our time on worry and stress. Worry is like a rocking chair it gives you something to do but it does not get you anywhere. We can chose to use this time profitably – to live intentionally. A time of crisis like now can make us selfish or it can open for us new places in our hearts and minds that we never knew existed. When this happens old words take on a new meaning. Words like courage, faith, resilience and forbearance.  St. Paul was in prison facing his own crisis wrote to his friends in Ephesus and said “Be very careful about the sort of lives you lead, like intelligent and not like senseless people. This is a wicked age but your lives should redeem it” (Ephesians 5:16). 

We do miss you coming out to pray with us at the Graan. It is unfortunate that we do not have a webcam in our church where you could join us from your homes in our celebrations. However everyday our community celebrates Mass in our little oratory together (suitably apart!) and your needs and intentions are brought before the altar of God. You are not forgotten by us. At our morning and evening prayer together you and your loved ones are being remembered. We also remember those who have the disease and all those who are in the frontline fighting against it – the medical personnel, our supermarket workers, and our leaders who make decisions concerning the control of this virus. 

I know that you are remembering us to in your own personal prayers. For this we are grateful. May the good Lord who released Lazarus from the tomb release us from the tomb of despair, distress and anguish and fear and as the clocks go forward this weekend may the light that Christ gave to all of us at our Baptism and Confirmation shine in our hearts and lives!  Father Charles C.P.

Our Church here at The Graan will remain open from 9.30am – 4pm each day for private prayer.

The shop & Monastery will remain closed until further notice.

Enquiries: You can ring the monastery or email us at thegraan@btconnect.com if you have any enquiries. 

The Anniversary Masses for Saturday and Sunday will be celebrated privately by the priests here at the Monastery.

Friday’s Exposition & Prayer Groups: All Prayer Groups meetings and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament are cancelled until further notice.

A Meditation for the Anxious During Covid-19

Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.

Bring your breathing under control. It’s hard. We’re in uncertain times, uncharted waters. Our breaths might be short, panicked. We may have forgotten to breathe all together.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.

Slowly, read Psalm 46:11: “Be still and know that I am God!” God is speaking to you. How do you respond?

Be still and know that I am God.

God of all people, my faith is tested during this time of pandemic. Your houses of prayer and worship stand empty: Can we gather together without contracting disease? Can the most vulnerable members of our human family — the elderly, the sick — come to pray without fear?

The answer to these questions, it seems, is no.

Be still and know that I am.

God, I know that you are here, even if I sit alone in my home. Just as you appeared to Moses in the burning bush, you appear to us now, in surprising, unsettling ways.

I may not find you where I expect you — my community, the Mass, the Eucharist — but give me eyes to find you in new places: livestreams, Face time and quiet solitude.

Be still and know.

God of the sick, God of the vulnerable, give me clarity to see through the noise and clutter. Grant me serenity that I may have a level head with which to weigh the information I am given. Sustain me with fortitude that I may have the courage to learn all I need to know about this disease that plagues our world.

I do not want to give in to fear, panic, hysteria. But I do want to make good decisions, for myself, my community and my world. Help me to do so.

Be still.

I know that I have to change my daily life, my daily routine. I know that I can no longer come and go as I wish. In this Lenten season, remind me of the spiritual significance of fasting: setting things aside to make room for you, God, and for the common good. Give me a spirit of fasting as I confront this disease.

May I see these moments of stillness — moments that I am not out at bars, restaurants, events and activities — as opportunities to encounter you. And as my small yet important contribution to the common good of our world.

Be.

I feel as though there is so little I can do to bring about an end to this crisis. Grant me the wisdom to simply be, to sit, to rest, to watch and to trust that your hand is at work, guiding and protecting medical professionals, scientists, first responders and government officials, as well as my neighbours, particularly those who are most vulnerable.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.