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Even The Geese Are Flying Out Of Formation

6/8/2020

2 Comments

 
Picture
These have been some troubling times in recent months.  The threat of a pandemic provided empty streets.  Civil unrest filled them again.  Who could have imagined the course of events over the last few months? 

I stood outside yesterday evening along Lake Manawa to watch the sunset.  I heard the honking of geese and looked up to see that even they were not flying in a neat and tidy formation.  It was somewhat symbolic of how things feel in our world today.

Reflection Questions;
1.  How have these days since the middle of March impacted you?  (Please consider--physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.)
2.  How has your prayer life been impacted by the shutdown?
3.  How has your prayer life been impacted by the civil unrest?
4.  What commitments have you made to bring healing and hope to your part of the world?
5.  How do we (as Church) more effectively proclaim the Good News of Salvation?

2 Comments
Greg Luce
6/8/2020 04:24:37 pm

I am fighting so many emotions daily. During the covid panic Liz and I went to the church daily and prayed. We were constant up to Pentecost. The riots and division have not changed my novenas or devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus. (Which we can now have more than 5 people at St. Joseph’s) I have found a priest out of La Crosse WI whose sermons have strengthened my faith. I still continue to do much spiritual reading and listen to Catholic podcasts and YouTube videos. I am only consoled in knowing that this condition in the Church was predicted by numerous mystics. I have felt from the beginning that we have become the Church cowardly vs. Church Militant. I don’t know how the Church regains her teaching authority other than divine intervention. Liz and I are over 65 and won’t be returning to mass until the “mask” thing is done. And I won’t receive the Eucharist until I can receive on the tongue. We have several couples our age that feel the same way. Our priests seem almost afraid to make eye contact with us. So difficult to try and make anyone believe in the Truth of our Faith when our shepherds seem to be in hiding. Trying to be honest with you Deacon Vern. It would be delightful to have a sit down conversation with you and how you are dealing with these unbelievable events. The spiritual battle is on and I won’t be a half-hearted soldier for Christ and His Blessed Mother.🙏🙏🙏😇

Reply
Deacon Vernon
6/8/2020 05:43:48 pm

Greg,

Thank you for such an honest and forthright answer. Your emotions match so many others who have contacted me privately through recent weeks. It has been a difficult few months, and you summed up much of it with one statement. "I don't know how the Church regains her teaching authority other than divine intervention."

I can't even begin to tell you how many people have expressed their concern to me about the Church being declared non-essential. We now have a pertinent question to ask ourselves. How will we go from being non-essential for months to being essential again?

Greg, thank you for your faithful witness to Jesus Christ. Keep up the good fight. Keep praying.

I hope to be in your area very soon. Maybe we will get that chance for a face to face conversation.

Blessings and peace!

Deacon Vernon

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