Gospel Reflection
March 27, 2020:
As I read the Gospel from John, I am reminded of two very
significant things; first, Jesus truly knew what anxiety and suffering was,
and, second, I miss the morning hall-prayer with our students more than
ever. One of the things I am going to
develop is a morning prayer for our groups just as we have done all year, only
it will be through a visual platform. I
would like to invite you as parents to pray with your students and me during
the day your respective grade level engages in our “Pod-Prayer” as we call it
here at OLMC. The schedule will follow
the same as it has all year as follows:
Monday – Jr. High Wing 6th – 8th
Tuesday – Kindergarten & 1st
Wednesday – 2nd – 5th
Thursday – PreK
Regarding the format, this is still up in the air however; I’m
most likely going to be using Facebook or Zoom.
I will get the information to you quite soon as we continue to wait on
the State’s decision as to when to officially move to E-learning/Distance
Learning. In the meantime, let’s share
in the Gospel of John: 7:1-2, 10, 25-30.
Jesus went
about in Galilee. He did not wish to go about in Judea because the Jews were
looking for an opportunity to kill him. Now the Jewish festival of Booths was
near.
But after his brothers had gone to the festival, then he also went, not publicly but as it were in secret.
Now some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, “Is not this the man whom they are trying to kill? And here he is, speaking openly, but they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Messiah? Yet we know where this man is from; but when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from.”
Then Jesus cried out as he was teaching in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I am from. I have not come on my own. But the one who sent me is true, and you do not know him. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.”
Then they tried to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him, because his hour had not yet come.
Several things remind us of Christ’s human form and vulnerability
in this Gospel reading. As Jesus went
around Galilee He was anxious as He knew that there were those who were
searching for Him to kill Him. When the
Lord did go into the festival, He did so in secret. This is significant. Often, we forget the “human” side of
Christ. That he suffered from hunger,
cold, anger, frustration, worry, perhaps even fear for the human race, and, of
course, pain.
If Christ could not embody
these feelings he would not have been human.
In this reading however, it continues to show that in the face of the
anxiety of knowing there were people searching to kill Him, Jesus faces this
emotion publicly through the strength and protection of God stating “I have not
come on my own. But the one who sent me is true, and you do not know him. I
know him, because I am from him and he sent me.”
During this most frustrating COVID-19 pandemic, it is extremely
important for all of us to remember that, just as in today’s reading, the Lord
understand fully our human fears, anxieties, frustrations, anger, and
pain. At the same time, we are able to
face ANYTHING if we do so standing next to God who strengthens and protects us
from any danger. We must have faith not
only when things are going well, but especially during the times which
challenge us the most with uncertainty.
That faith will be seen by all who see us. It will be seen by our co-workers, our
friends, our children and grandchildren, and it will be seen by God who will
continue to bless us.
Please know that we at OLMC are here, we are working, your
children/students will be receiving the best education that can be delivered
during this time, we will be assessing and advancing and, as we move forward,
we will be praying for each of your families’ health and peace continuously. Though our work may look a little different now,
it is not finished. As the state, and
country, slowly returns to normal, we too are heading in that direction as
well.
Thank you for all your continued understanding and support for
your school and parish. May God continue
to bless you always!
Mr. Swann – Principal
Our Lady of Mount Carmel