GOD of OPPORTUNITIES

There is a longing for God in our general absence from Mass.  We know this by the number of views all the live-streamed Masses are experiencing.  Your Pastors and parish priests have been experimenting, in very creative ways, to offer opportunities for us to remain spiritually connected, to God and as faith communities, during this time of social distancing and quarantine. 

The Gospel today speaks of God’s very creative and unexpected way of entering into human history, by the fulfillment of the prophesy of Isaiah. “The virgin shall be with child, and bear a son.” (Is 7:14) The Nation of Israel has long awaited, some with great expectation and anticipation this Messiah and Savior.  The announcement is made to Mary, a young betrothed teenager, by an angel, that she is that virgin.  Mary will be the gateway by which God will reverse Adam & Eve’s first sin, through the miraculous birth of His Incarnate Word, Emmanuel (God with us) whom the world will know as Jesus, the Son of Mary and the carpenter’s son.

I believe God remains active in our lives, in human history.  As bad as Covid 19 is or may get, this Lenten journey into the unknown wilderness, our absence from Mass, is creating a great longing and anticipation for our return to these sacred mysteries, this communal prayer, we call the Mass.  God is giving us opportunities, not punishment!

This is an opportunity to be less distracted by work & extracurricular, an opportunity to connect as family (our first community), an opportunity to delve deeper and more intimate with His Word (sacred scripture), and an opportunity to experience the many beautiful spiritual practices and prayers from the traditions of Mother Church. 

Like Mary, we may not understand the how or why of the things occurring around us in the world, but we can respond like her, in complete obedience and abandonment to God’s will.  As we await with great expectation and anticipation for our ability to gather, as a community, to give praise and worship around the table of His Word & Eucharist.