We Need God to Save Us

These last couple of weeks with this coronavirus pandemic has brought no shortage of extremes from great generosity, service and sacrifice to epic examples of stupidity, selfishness and just utter evil. Which validates a theory that people don’t change because of crises – but rather their true nature is more fully revealed. We have been hearing heroic stories of doctors and nurses working round the clock; first-responders who don’t have the option to work from home fulfilling their responsibilities – to the opposite – idiots who have been (thankfully) arrested and charged for terrorizing other people by saying they have the Covid and then coughing on them – others buying out every hand sanitizer they could in a geographical area with the hopes of selling them for a jacked up price once the supplies were out of stock.

We can and should have great respect for all the medical people and scientists working round the clock to try to beat this thing. But all this effort is not going to save us. Social distancing, quarantining, stay at home orders alone can’t save us. Even if a vaccine is discovered tomorrow that innoculates us from corona 19 and corona 20 and whatever other coronas or other viruses are still to come – that alone can’t save us.

We need God to save us, both now from this present trial and for all eternity. In Jesus we have assurance of that salvation. Now is not the time to be shy about our faith and belief in Him.

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends that you and your family are safe at home, healthy and know that you rest in the hands of a loving and compassionate God.
Be at peace. fr. matt

In Uncertain Times- Get Back to Basics

The news – which I highly suggest you don’t watch more than 15 minutes a day because that will really fuel your anxiety – is full of stories about this crisis and sharing every possible theory of treatment, or how to avoid the virus:

– this medicine is promising

– vaccines are being tested…

– the warmer weather and humidity will curb the spread of it…

Of course, I’m praying that any or all of those things prove to be true. But what’s probably fueling our collective anxiety is all this uncertainty. We just take a look around and feel in unchartered territory. We want to know who to listen to… what direction we need to follow to get back to whatever it was we considered our “normal.” 

Once, the scribes came to Jesus asking “what is the first of all the commandments.”  It was more about of the hundreds of laws that had been given and had evolved over time where did Jesus land on what was the most important? It basically was trying to pin Jesus down in terms of what camps, groups, politics was Jesus aligned with. 

No, they weren’t dealing with a quarantine – but as Jews they were feeling isolated, anxious, uncertain as well. Having been occupied by the Romans (which was a nicer way of saying enslaved) – so there greatest of victories, the freedom from Egypt was now a distant memory… and seeing widespread corruption in both there public and religious officials – for the people nothing made sense. How did they get into this situation with so much division where everything was a mess- and even more importantly how (or could they) ever get out of it? Sounds familiar to our own political system today.

Jesus’ simply answers: “Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength… and your neighbor as yourself.” It seems obvious. This is what is most important. Loving God and each other.

The Jews had forgotten that… They didn’t realize or see how in their divisions, in their arguments, in their arrogance and inter fighting that God had been displaced as being the center of their lives – and taking care of their neighbors – taking care of each other -that was a distant after thought. Particularly when so many of them couldn’t stand each other.

Jesus in this answer is getting “back to basics.” In the end, the thing that matters the most is God the Father – and recognizing our identity comes from Him. As beloved daughters and sons – that makes us sisters and brothers, and Dad (God the Father) expected them (and us) to treat each other better.

The beautiful revelation is that Jesus reminds us of how God treats us, looks at us. Jesus is saying to everyone of his listeners – “Hear this… God loves you – each and everyone of you, personally, individually with all His Heart… with all His Soul… with all His mind and all His strength.” 

We can acknowledge all the different things that are making us anxious and uncertain in our world right now, but we shouldn’t stay there – obsessing and worrying about them to the point that we forget what should be the first commandment, the first priority of every age and generation. Jesus’ revelation of our eternal identity should inspire confidence and trust that surpasses this – or any crisis of any time – that we should face. God is with us – He loves us… Will we reciprocate that love? 

I have called all my parishioners twice in the past week to remind them to be safe, to never hesitate to call for help if needed and while Sunday Mass is suspended, God loves them and will protect them. Ben, a young adult parishioner, told me this: “Father Matt, you know what I do for a living, so if anyone needs my services, let me know and I will come out to help them.

My Sonshine Friends, that’s the bright future of our church, I pray that there are millions of Ben’s and Sarah’s out in our country being a light to those in darkness loving God and neighbor. Know that you are very much loved and admired by this shepherd.

What to Say

I had the privilege of serving as a hospital chaplain and my office was located on the pediatric floor. Outside my door, I had asked the children from St. Boniface School to make pictures to decorate my door to bring smiles to the children who were patients. I like to share some suggestions what to say to your children about coronavirus.

Like most parents, the coronavirus situation has thrown you for a big loop. Your children are suddenly out of school, no organized sports, and activities cancelled and you can’t take them anywhere you think safe. Meanwhile, we are trying to answer their difficult questions, keep our kitchen stocked, and juggle working from home.

A crisis like this one can make both parents and children fearful, confused, and disoriented. As the coronavirus takes its course, your children are looking not only for information but for guidance in how to respond and how worried they should be.Your actions speak even louder than our words. The message we can pass along is our faith that we trust in a God who cares about everyone and urges us to do the same. We follow a God who asks us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves, even when it is difficult or inconvenient.

It is important to reassure children, address their fears, and communicate what we believe from a faith perspective. Here are some guidelines for how to approach the

conversation:

• Keep it truthful. Don’t mislead your child, pass on rumors, or make promises that you can’t keep. Don’t tell them that they (or you, or grandma) won’t catch COVID-19. Instead, explain that very few kids get bad symptoms, very few people get seriously sick, and that

there is medical help for those who do.

• Keep it simple. In general, let your child guide the conversation with their own questions and concerns. Be aware of how much news you are consuming, it can be easy to talk about it all the time and throughout family meals, but this can make our children anxious.

   

We need to take a break and if we find ourselves constantly dwelling on the latest news and social media posts, then we may need breaks from them so we won’t be completely consumed. Walk the dog, play some board games, or better yet invite your children to draw pictures of Springtime to share with other sick kids on social media.

An excellent NPR cartoon that you can use to teach your kids the basics about the coronavirus at their level can be found at: http://bit.ly/coronavirus-kids.

It is our responsibility as parents to make sure our children know how to avoid spreading the virus. These steps are essential to keep not only your child safe, but also family members, friends, and those most at risk in your community. Even those without symptoms can spread the virus, including children. Be an example by following these rules yourself, and make sure your children know the rules are not optional:

• Wash hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds (suggest that they sing part of a song that they like and not stop until it is finished). Show them how!

• Avoid touching your face.

• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue.

• Stay home if you become ill.

Since Sunday Mass has been suspended the next two weeks, let me make some practical suggestions. Perhaps this time is a blessing in disguise, since you can’t go to Mass here are some alternatives:

• Scripts and instructions for leading a service at home:

http://bit.ly/sunday-liturgy-hours.

• If you have young children, you could begin and end with the Sign of the Cross and perhaps a song your child knows well. Read one or more passages from a story Bible, then talk together about what you read.

• Or, you could ask your children to do something creative like draw Springtime pictures and we will share their art work on our Facebook page.

You’re invited to find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/HolyFamilyPNCC), search Facebook for “Holy Family Parish, North Java, NY”

or use the link on our website: http://holyfamilyncchurch.org/. We’re posting Lenten reflections and other Facebook posts we hope will be inspirational at this challenging time.

It is natural to ask, “Where is God in all of this?” As Matthew 25 reminds us, Christ is present in those who are in need (the hungry, thirsty, stranger, imprisoned, etc.). It is

our job to do God’s will in the world to make things better. We must always look beyond ourselves to serve our neighbor. Consider as a family how you can reach out to

those who are most in need. For example:

• Run errands or shop for neighbors who are staying home because they are most at-risk.

• Call elderly family members, parishioners, or other friends who are isolated and lonely.

• Support small businesses that are struggling with lost business. You may be able to buy gift certificates to give them needed cash now.

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends a prayer that was used at my ordination 43 years ago. “May the Lord bless you and keep you! May the Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! May the Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!”

A Prayer for Protection from Coronovirus

Are there any prayers for protection from the coronovirus?  Is there a special Novena, certain prayer, particular Saint whose intercession we needed to tap into like Saint Patrick.

Faith isn’t about magic spells. Faith isn’t superstition. Faith isn’t about appeasing or manipulating God. Faith is about putting ourselves into God’s hands. Listening to the Lord commanding us to be courageous, to be strong, to not be afraid… To not be discouraged… To not forget that the Lord is with us.

In listening to God, we learn to let go of our ego, to let go of our arrogance, to let go of our expectations and do what God told us to do, let God be our strength. And low and behold, we will experience the miraculous cleansing of this virus.

I think that’s the practical reminder we need today. As followers of Jesus, we have an incredible history of what God has done – of what God can do. In Jesus Christ, death itself has been defeated. He remains with us both in His word and in His very real presence – Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist.

So to all my Sonshine friends asking about something new or different to pray for protection from the coronovirus I say – this is not a time for something new or different – but rather a deeper faith, deeper trust in what we regularly do and say that we believe in.   Yes, we need to take all the precautions and follow the advice of our medical experts on how to care for people and for each other and do our part – in dealing with this virus, and just helping one another with all of the unprecedented things going on.

But even more, we need to go deeper in our faith, hope and love in Jesus Christ. We need to humble ourselves, yield our precious control, let go of our egos and arrogance and recognize who is ultimately in control… giving praise to the God who loved us into being and sustains our very breath at this very instant.   Knowing that He is greater than any virus or infectious disease… Knowing that He can relieve our greatest fears – both real and imagined.

Let me share this prayer for people who are infected with COVID-19 or facing quarantine.

Jesus. be present now to people who need Your loving touch because of COVID-19. May they feel Your power of healing through the care of doctors and nurses. Take away the fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation from people receiving treatment or under quarantine. Give them a sense of purpose in pursuing health and protecting others from exposure to the disease. Protect their families and friends and bring peace to all who love them. 

We Are All In This Together

After my interview with the reporter about the coronovirus, I was thinking about our Confirmation students. Our bishop had given me the date of April 25^th to come to North Java and confer the sacrament on our young people. I was thinking that sometimes in preparation, the leaders would take the kids to a homeless shelter and it was somewhere downtown in a really rough area. I would think that it was a really uncomfortable experience, awkward experience, difficult experience. The teens would go to feed the men their dinner and then sit with the men and talk to them. And I think it would be profound, and I think it would be disturbing, but it was a really good piece of their education.

It's impossible to read the Gospels and not recognize that Jesus loved poor people and that he had an enormous compassion for our humanity. Usually when we talk about poor people, we think about people who don't have stuff or don't have food or don't have money, but the reality is that we're all poor in our own way. We're all dealing with a form or a type of poverty. Very often, we're unaware of it, of course. But the Gospel challenges us to say when Jesus heals the blind man—the Gospel challenges us to say: okay, in what ways am I the blind man? When Jesus cures the deaf person, it challenges us to think about in what ways am I the deaf person. What have I been deaf to in my life? And when Jesus cures the lepers, he challenges us to say: okay, in what ways am I a leper, or in what ways have I made other people lepers, socially, politically, economically, or in any other way shape or form?

And so, the Gospel is an invitation to explore our own poverty, and it's by exploring our own poverty and understanding our own poverty that we develop compassion for everybody else in their particular type of poverty because we realize one of the most radical truths of Jesus's teachings, which is the idea that we're all in this together and there can't be some winners and some losers. 

Lord, I pray for all my Sunshine Friends whether they are isolated or quarantined or reaching out to their neighbors to make sure that they are safe. We all in this together. Give us your spirit of compassion and generosity that will make all humanity reflect your love for one another.

Pray for Healing

On Sunday afternoon after returning from church leading our Lenten Retreat, I received an email from a reporter at the Batavia News inviting me to respond to the following questions. I though his questions were very practical and my Sonshine reflection will hopefully bring calm and comfort to your hearts and homes.

What is your background?  Basically, in layman's terms, you are quite literally the person who's called in to provide counseling to people in a crisis or trauma situation?

On 9/11, I was contacted to provide onsite debriefing for employees impacted by the traumatic events in history. On Thursday, I have been once again contacted to travel onsite to a workplace in New York State where employees are very stressed regarding Covid-19.  Learning about the spread of a new disease can be scary. It’s important for employees to prioritize their own self-care to cope with any unsettling emotions this situation can bring. Self-care means making the choice to act in healthy ways rather than just reacting to events. My purpose is to provide resiliency skills to these employees and provide self-care reminders to cope with the current state of emergency. 

2.  This might be an indescribably obvious question, but given your background, do you get a sense that people are nervous or traumatized?   How does it manifest itself?

Some common reactions during these situations include: reduced concentration, withdrawal, crying and anger. The need is to be patient. Address specific fears with a rational approach. Healthy employees may be reluctant to come to work or attend work functions. We need to validate their fear, while also reviewing what they know. Remember that you can’t take away others’ feelings, but you empathize. News of a serious disease can spark fears over health, loved ones, and even our livelihoods that we all share.

3.  What are the signs that a person is under stress?

Notice if family members or employees are having difficulties or displaying anxiety. They may not come to you themselves out of embarrassment or feeling it is inappropriate or unprofessional. Notice if fear begins to become panic. Ask yourself if unreasonable fear is changing your behaviors, for example, being afraid to leave your home. You might find yourself avoiding places or people. These may be signs that you could benefit from additional support.

4.   What can they do to approach it?

Encourage concrete moves to help reduce anxiety, such as preparing for quarantine or making plans for child care in the event of school closings. Respect their privacy. Leave it up to the person to decide how much they want to talk about their reactions and what they want to share.  Acknowledge the distressing nature of the situation and how they are reacting to it. Normalize their feelings. Remember that you can’t take away others’ feelings, but you empathize. News of a serious disease can spark fears over health, loved ones, and even our livelihoods that we all share. Keep offering your support, even if it’s declined at first.

   

5.  What can a family member or friend do?

A good way to manage any kind of fear is to become educated about it. The more we know about the real dangers, the more we can take effective steps to avoid or minimize them, thereby putting some fears to rest. Accurate information is an effective antidote to unrealistic fears.

Monitor your exposure to the news. Media news coverage can arouse emotion and increase fear. It’s important to get the facts, but it may not be helpful to hear reports over and over. Be aware of how you and family members respond to news stories. Limit television or online coverage if it becomes distressing.

Put your risk into perspective. The risk of contracting coronavirus in the U.S. is low at this time. It’s important to stay aware and informed, but try to make sure your level of fear does not exceed your risk factors. If you have specific concerns, contact your health care professional.

Put this disease in context. The term “pandemic” can be very scary. It means cases of a new disease are showing up around the world and may spread rapidly because people don’t have immunity. However, this term doesn’t indicate how dangerous it’s likely to be. We’re exposed to health risks every day. The good health habits you use to reduce the risk of communicable diseases, such as washing hands frequently, are some of the same precautions recommended for coronavirus.

6.  This might be redundant, but ultimately, what perspective can you give on a situation like this?  Is there anything people should know going forward?

Be always aware, but not always fearful. Awareness means paying attention to news that is specific to where you live and where you may travel. Awareness is not the same as being fearful. Constant fear that isn’t reality-based can create stress and be counter-productive. It can be harder to deal with a true risk when everything seems like

a danger. We want to focus on what is happening, rather than getting caught up in thoughts of what could happen.

7.  What advice or feedback can you give from a spiritual perspective?

As shepherd (Pastor) of Holy Family Catholic Parish in North Java, I led a Lenten retreat that focused on being the best version of ourselves based on the virtues taught by Jesus. Compassion and courage in practical ways come to mind. As one parishioner suggested, “care about your neighbor.” Ask if they need help or if you can get something for them at the store or if they are afraid to go out and they cannot afford to buy extra. Second, “watch out for hungry children” and their parents and offer to help. A lot of our kids get a large percentage of their food at school. If you have a neighbor with kids and know or think they are struggling, consider buying some extra food to leave on their porch like cereal, peanut butter, jelly, mac and cheese, spaghetti and sauce. Finally, don’t let fear in your heart turn to suspicion and hate. Love and care for one another, not just because God wants it but because that’s the kind of person you want to be in your heart,

8.  Is there anything I'm missing?

Next Sunday, March 22, 2020 at 10am, I will be leading a “Healing Service’ that includes the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. We have told our parishioners to stay home if they have symptoms of illness as directed by the Center for Disease Control until they get well. Following healthy guidelines for religious organizations by the CDC, we will make adjustments in the anointing service not to put anyone at risk. During Lent, we are encouraged to pray to God to help us become the best version of ourselves. I would like to extend an invitation to people and leaders of all faiths to come and join us in a Service of Healing of Unity. Our scientists, researchers and medical staff need our prayerful support as they work tirelessly to bring comfort to the those with the coronavirus, comfort to those dying and inspiration and wisdom to discover a vaccine and make it available to all people throughout our world.

Jesus Wants Us to Expect Miracles

Have you ever considered that virtues can be superpowers? 

On Sunday, March 15, you’re invited to our special Lenten workshop (Virtues for Lent) at 11:30 a.m. for some fresh ideas on how to make this year’s Lenten journey a memorable one. We’d love to see you! And Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., followed by breakfast ~ you’re welcome to join us! 

Yes, we will be open this Sunday and Mass begins at 10am and it will include the Sacrament of Reconciliation followed by our Lenten Retreat.

First, my goal is to practice safety and good health so as a reminder if you have any type of symptoms of coughing, sneezing, fever, nausea, achiness, or any flu-like symptom, stay home. I love you, and I look forward to seeing you after you are in good health.

Second, I will (at least temporarily) modify routines that may threaten to spread disease. For example, during the greeting at the beginning of Mass and at the Greeting of Peace, I encourage people to simply say hello instead of shaking hands or hugging. Last Sunday, I taught sign language and the gesture for “PEACE.” It was a creative way to bring our community together and it brought many smiles not fear into the faces of our people.

Third, I will encourage Communion in the hand and not on the tongue to avoid contact with salvia. We will refrain from dipping the host in the chalice and distributing on the tongue. 

Fourth, the holy water and baptismal fonts are empty. And thanks to Steve and Corey and volunteers our church pews and bathroom are disinfected and safe to use. Join us on Holy Saturday and take-home Easter water. 

The Surgeon General emphasized that we will know a lot more "in a week or two” on how this will play out, and in some places “large public gatherings” such as church services may have to be restricted.

So, for now, let’s do all we can to run from fear and into good health practices that we should all be practicing.

Fifth, next Sunday, March 22, we will celebrate the Sacrament of the Sick.  

The theme will be: "Jesus Wants Us to Expect Miracles!"  Come join us to pray for our gifted scientists and researchers that the Spirit will bring them wisdom to find a vaccine and end this disease and the suffering of the world. Your prayers for healing will make the difference!

Busy is Not Your Friend

Think about busy. Everyone's busy, right? It seems people get busier and busier all the time. Busy is not your friend. It's okay to be busy sometimes. But to be busy, busy, busy, busy all the time—busy is bad in that context. And you know what? It is hard to be a good person, it is hard to grow in virtue, it is hard to live the Christian life when we're busy all the time. I know that from my own experience. I know when I'm super busy, it's really hard for me to be patient with anything or anyone, you know? I get impatient. The busier I get, the more impatient I get. Which means what? The busier I get, the less Christian I become

So, it's time for us just to recognize, okay, busy is not our friend. And then once we realized that we think, okay, we've got to do something about that. Our daily routines are critical in setting us up for success or setting us up for failure, especially our daily routines at the beginning of the day. Because when we do take a few moments to reflect on our day, at the beginning of our day, we realize—okay, hold on a minute—what's the really important stuff I'm going to do today? And what's the stuff that doesn't matter that much? And we're able to prioritize.

Jesus taught that love should be our number one priority. For example, when we fall in love, our priorities change. God is constantly challenging us to love more, he's constantly challenging us to reassess our priorities. 

And so, what I want to challenge you to think about today is your daily priorities, especially those at the beginning of the day. Do they focus you? Do they reinvigorate you? Do they fill you with a sense of hope? Or do the things you fill your early part of the day with burden you, make you feel heavy and hopeless, that sort of thing?

I hope you’re thinking about attending the parish Lenten Retreat next Sunday. My hope is that you are making plans not too be so busy that that you will come and learn how the Spirit is moving you into a routine that will make a difference in your life. If I come to the retreat, my days will be better.  Hopefully, it will be reinvigorating you. Hopefully, when you don't feel like coming, it gives you the courage, the strength, the wisdom to say, "Okay, I don't feel like doing this, but I will have better days when I do it. So, I'm going to force myself. I'm going to make plans and attend this year’s retreat. 

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends that they learn to start their day in your presence, so that the rest of their day will be filled with much happiness and joy.

Something Out of the Box for Lent

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Okay, I'm going to give up chocolate for Lent this year, I'm going to lose five pounds, and then I'm going to gain six and a half pounds back on Easter Sunday.” And millions and millions of people give up chocolate for Lent each year, but why? Because they've always done it? Or why? Because they want to lose weight? Or why? Because our spirituality lacks creativity?

And if you gave up chocolate. that's great. There's nothing wrong with that. But what are you planning to do this Lent that will bring you closer to Jesus.

Let me share some suggestions. 

Give something away—every day.

I have a friend with a very large wardrobe. She decided to give away one article of clothing each day during Lent. It had to be something she really liked and wanted to keep. Maybe it’s not your wardrobe that needs cleaning out, but consider giving something away each day, or each week, during Lent.

Stop complaining—about the weather, that’s number one for Father Matt

What a difference this can makes in our community, in our relationships with one another. We have to find constructive ways to talk about our difficulties, and look for the good in people instead of focusing on any inconvenience we’d experienced.

Spend time in the classroom of silence.

Each day during Lent spend one hour in complete silence, all electronics turned off and that includes your cell phone. Set a timer in your kitchen, then forget about it. Spend the time however you want.  Pray a Rosary, read some Scripture, and then read a little bit of a good spiritual book. Maybe you can’t do an hour, then maybe 10 minutes. But take the time for silence and reflection each day.

Do follow our parish Facebook and Website Pages
Every day during Lent we will post a reflection on the Facebook page and ask for a reply. Also, on our parish website, I will post something for your meditation and you can reply. It’s free and worth your time.

Do an act of love every day.

Our kids returned from their religion lesson this morning and made cupcakes for the volunteers for Charlotte House hospice. They also painted signs to be displayed in the house to bring a smile and comfort to our residents and family members. That’s out of the box thinking. 

Send a kind note to a loved one, do a good deed for a stranger, volunteer, post something inspiring on social media. It doesn’t have to be big—just do something each day.

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends that they spend their time during Lent as an opportunity to be the best version of themselves. Go online on our Facebook page or Parish website page and share what you plan to do for Lent.