If we can find ways to share our faith through action in the present moment, how much will we be ready to do when things start to open up and approach some sense of normalcy?
Friday of the Octave of Easter
April 17, 2020
Some of us may not be aware that in the Church we have an Octave of Easter. The entire week is supposed to be one of heightened celebration even within the season of fifty days, which itself should be celebratory. And yet this is a time in which people are probably struggling to create a festive mood!
In addition to the festive nature of the season, there is also an Easter call to evangelization, and in Matthew’s gospel this becomes a call to take care of one another. All four of the gospels end with some form of the great commission to go forth and to tell the story. Matthews gospel, however, focuses particularly on the call to evangelize through the lens of action in the world.
Watching baptisms at Easter Vigil 2019
Easter Candle at Easter Vigil 2019
But we are in a period of seemingly endless inactivity and isolation (or for some an experience of being shut in with nowhere to find personal space). So it’s probably somewhat odd to think about how we share the joy of the season. Equally difficult is finding ways to reach out and share our faith through action. Maybe the present challenges actually help to hone our skills not just for this time but for the future as well.
Reaching out, noticing, responding and sacrificing our time and effort all take practice. This time of “sheltering in place” maybe our “Olympic Training Center.” By this, I mean that the OTC in Colorado Springs was located at high altitude for a reason. If athletes are able to do well here, then how much better might they be at lower elevations?
If we can find ways to share our faith through action in the present moment, how much will we be ready to do when things start to open up and approach some sense of normalcy?
We may need art and music to get us into a momentary “Alleluia” these days. But our hunger for connection to one another may head us toward an Easter experience beyond anything we have imagined before.
Finally, I would like to invite you to our next Livestream Mass this Saturday, April 18th at 4:30pm. MPB is offering three ways to participate in weekend masses during the stay-at-home order. See below in our NEWS section for more details.
God bless,
Fr. Pat
Easter Vigil of the Resurrection of the Lord
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning,
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
And behold, there was a great earthquake;
for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven,
approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it.
His appearance was like lightning
and his clothing was white as snow.
The guards were shaken with fear of him
and became like dead men.
Then the angel said to the women in reply,
“Do not be afraid!
I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified.
He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.
Come and see the place where he lay.
Then go quickly and tell his disciples,
‘He has been raised from the dead,
and he is going before you to Galilee;
there you will see him.’
Behold, I have told you.”
Then they went away quickly from the tomb,
fearful yet overjoyed,
and ran to announce this to his disciples.
And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them.
They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage.
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid.
Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee,
and there they will see me.”
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
And behold, there was a great earthquake;
for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven,
approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it.
His appearance was like lightning
and his clothing was white as snow.
The guards were shaken with fear of him
and became like dead men.
Then the angel said to the women in reply,
“Do not be afraid!
I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified.
He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.
Come and see the place where he lay.
Then go quickly and tell his disciples,
‘He has been raised from the dead,
and he is going before you to Galilee;
there you will see him.’
Behold, I have told you.”
Then they went away quickly from the tomb,
fearful yet overjoyed,
and ran to announce this to his disciples.
And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them.
They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage.
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid.
Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee,
and there they will see me.”
"Hallelujah Chorus"
From Messiah by George Frederic Handel.
Sung by the Most Precious Blood Music Ministry at Christmas Eve Mass 2019.
MPB Livestream Mass
- On Saturdays at 4:30pm we will livestream and record a virtual mass using Zoom videoconferencing. More info and a song book will be available by Saturday and the mass will stream here: https://mpbdenver.org/our-parish/virtual-worship/.
- You may choose to be a part of the "stay-at-home" Virtual Assembly that will be streamed live along with Fr. Pat and the liturgical ministers, who will also be at home. The assembly will be muted but we will be seen participating with our responses, singing and a few simple gestures. While it isn't just like being at MPB, it is the closest we have, and it can be a powerful experience. "Seats" are limited so sign up HERE and you'll be sent a Zoom link and more instructions by Saturday morning.
- We will record the livestream and it will be posted by Sunday mornings on our website HERE for anyone to watch on demand for the remainder of the week.
Please send us any questions to tstone@mpbdenver.org.
MPB Bulletin
Please share with friends and family.
If you wish to subscribe for news and updates from Most Precious Blood, click here.