
In the Collect for today’s Mass and in the first reading we are reminded that we are living in days of joy. This weekend marks the ninth Sunday that we are not celebrating Mass together in Church. Many people have not been able to receive communion during these nine weeks. There have been deaths, illness, job loss, and the inability to visit loved ones. Is this joyful? We have been working from home, learning to unmute ourselves in Zoom meetings, and all the while being in a houseful of others attempting to work from home and completing school work. And yet, we are still in the Easter season. It is still a time of joy. We are still joyful that Christ has risen from the dead!
In the first reading today, Philip announces the good news to the people in Samaria. He prays that they might receive the Holy Spirit. This is why we are joyful. We have heard the good news and have received sacraments. When we receive sacraments we receive Christ. At our Baptism we received the Holy Spirit. At our Confirmation we received a fuller outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Even while we are experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic the Holy Spirit is with us.
In today’s Gospel reading Jesus promises that he “will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of Truth…” The Holy Spirit is our Advocate who IS with us always, no matter what we are encountering today. He will be with us no matter the situation.
An important part of being “Church” is that we are a community who worships together. We long to have you worship in Church together again, hopefully soon. We are working on a plan so that we can return to church safely. We will rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us just as the Holy Spirit led the early church.
In the first reading today, Philip announces the good news to the people in Samaria. He prays that they might receive the Holy Spirit. This is why we are joyful. We have heard the good news and have received sacraments. When we receive sacraments we receive Christ. At our Baptism we received the Holy Spirit. At our Confirmation we received a fuller outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Even while we are experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic the Holy Spirit is with us.
In today’s Gospel reading Jesus promises that he “will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of Truth…” The Holy Spirit is our Advocate who IS with us always, no matter what we are encountering today. He will be with us no matter the situation.
An important part of being “Church” is that we are a community who worships together. We long to have you worship in Church together again, hopefully soon. We are working on a plan so that we can return to church safely. We will rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us just as the Holy Spirit led the early church.