Deacon Mickey Redfearn We are living in a time that many of us will remember forever. I write this from my home, on Sunday, March 22. For myself, and for many of you, it was the first time in a very long time that I was not at Mass. I watched Mass on the internet but it was not the same. It was a realization of the importance of community, of worshipping together. I longed today to not only be able to receive communion but to also distribute communion. I am sure that you long, as I do, to the day when we will be back in Saint Bonaventure worshipping the Lord together.
Today’s first reading is a prophesy from Ezekiel. The Lord says, “I will open your graves and have you rise from them, and bring you back to the land of Israel.” The Lord will put His Spirit in people and they will rise. As our country and the world deals with the Coronavirus death is definitely on our minds. We are reminded that the Lord has power even over death.
Our Gospel reading is about resurrection as well. Lazarus has died and Mary & Martha enlist the Lord’s help. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Him will never die. Jesus says into the tomb, “Lazarus, come out!” Amazingly Lazarus is brought back to life. We too are called to answer the Lord. We might need to come out of a tomb of sin, isolation, or despair. The Lord sheds His light on every facet of our lives.
On April 6, 2014 Pope Francis preached on this Gospel, “May the Lord today, on this Sunday, which speaks so much about the resurrection, give us all the grace to rise from our sins, to come out of our tombs; with the voice of Jesus, calling us to go out, to go to him.” In this new world we need to live our lives in new ways as well. We go to the Lord in whatever way he calls us.
In this unprecedented time, many people are struggling financially, not knowing where their next paycheck will come from. I pray that the Lord will provide for everyone’s financial and spiritual needs. Some people have also expressed concern over the financial well-being of Saint Bonaventure and all of the parishes. In fact, each parish has been asked by the Archdiocese to prepare a cash-flow analysis for future months. First, I want everyone to know that we are dependent on the financial support of parishioners. If you are able to continue supporting the parish during this pandemic, as you have in the past, it would be greatly appreciated. Please know that you can sign up to give electronically on our website or mail in your contribution envelopes. Second, please also know that the parish has a significant amount of savings in Money Market accounts that can be accessed if it is needed. I am confident that the Lord will provide for each one of us and our parish, as He always has. Please continue to pray for our families, our Saint Bonaventure community and the world during this crisis.
Today’s first reading is a prophesy from Ezekiel. The Lord says, “I will open your graves and have you rise from them, and bring you back to the land of Israel.” The Lord will put His Spirit in people and they will rise. As our country and the world deals with the Coronavirus death is definitely on our minds. We are reminded that the Lord has power even over death.
Our Gospel reading is about resurrection as well. Lazarus has died and Mary & Martha enlist the Lord’s help. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Him will never die. Jesus says into the tomb, “Lazarus, come out!” Amazingly Lazarus is brought back to life. We too are called to answer the Lord. We might need to come out of a tomb of sin, isolation, or despair. The Lord sheds His light on every facet of our lives.
On April 6, 2014 Pope Francis preached on this Gospel, “May the Lord today, on this Sunday, which speaks so much about the resurrection, give us all the grace to rise from our sins, to come out of our tombs; with the voice of Jesus, calling us to go out, to go to him.” In this new world we need to live our lives in new ways as well. We go to the Lord in whatever way he calls us.
In this unprecedented time, many people are struggling financially, not knowing where their next paycheck will come from. I pray that the Lord will provide for everyone’s financial and spiritual needs. Some people have also expressed concern over the financial well-being of Saint Bonaventure and all of the parishes. In fact, each parish has been asked by the Archdiocese to prepare a cash-flow analysis for future months. First, I want everyone to know that we are dependent on the financial support of parishioners. If you are able to continue supporting the parish during this pandemic, as you have in the past, it would be greatly appreciated. Please know that you can sign up to give electronically on our website or mail in your contribution envelopes. Second, please also know that the parish has a significant amount of savings in Money Market accounts that can be accessed if it is needed. I am confident that the Lord will provide for each one of us and our parish, as He always has. Please continue to pray for our families, our Saint Bonaventure community and the world during this crisis.
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