Easter 2020

This year's Easter will always be remembered unlike all other Easters we have experienced.  It is an Easter where the brothers are not present.  The celebration of the Mass takes place online.  The celebration of Easter will also take place online because we are still on lockdown.  Social gatherings are not allowed due to COVID-19.  However, some of the brothers in the NCW communities were able to celebrate Holy Thursday and Holy Friday through the Internet and video conferencing.  One of the changes made in Holy Friday were the addition of ten solemn intercessions:

The last prayer in the solemn intercession was very touching.  "Let us pray, dearly beloved, to God the Father almighty, that he may free the world from the suffering of the present time; take away the Coronavirus pandemic, drive out hunger, wipe out hatred and violence, grant health to the sick, strength and support to those work in the health care system, hope and comfort to families, and salvation to those who have died."

This coronavirus pandemic came during Lent.  In some ways, it came as a blessing.  It caused many of us to reflect on what is truly more important in life and how we have taken many things for granted.  There was a time, when some Traditional Latin Mass Catholics would criticize the NCW for receiving the Body of Christ by hand.  They were so many arguments regarding HOW to receive the Body of Christ.  Emphasis was placed more on the "HOW" rather than on the fact that the Body of Christ was received.  Whether by hand or tongue is irrelevant.  So much emphasis was placed on WHERE the NCW should be holding their celebration rather than seeing the fact that all celebrations are one regardless of whether it was held in a home, church building or social hall.  

Now, with the COVID-19 lockdown, who can receive the Body of Christ?  Who receives it by hand or by tongue?  Where now are the faithful celebrating the Mass?  It is no longer in the church building in front of a consecrated altar.  It is in the comforts of our home in front of a computer or TV screen.  The Mass has entered the virtual world in which the faithful cannot receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.  Perhaps, God allowed the physical Mass to be taken away because some people worshiped the RULES of the Mass rather than God.  They made the rules their idol just as the Pharisees did.

John 4:20-21 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."  "Woman," Jesus replied, "believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 

This is an unusual Easter because we are not physically present in the celebration.  We cannot receive the Body and Blood of Christ.  Nevertheless, we are the Body of Christ, never separated from the Head, our Lord Jesus Christ.  We are with Him and in Him.  When the Militant Church on earth physically celebrated the Mass, the angels and saints were present together with us.  This time, the Triumphant Church will be celebrating the Mass together in Heaven and the Militant Church will be spiritually present with them.  

Happy Easter to everyone!!!