Dear Friends in Christ
In the Homily last weekend I spoke about the importance of creating silence, so that we can be receptive to God’s Word in our lives. 2020 has been designated in England and Wales as The Year of the Word - The God Who Speaks to Us. Over the next three Lenten Sundays we will be hearing those Gospels which direct our attention to the new life that Christ offers us through His Passion and Death: The Samaritan Woman at the Well this weekend, followed by the curing of the man born blind and the raising of Lazarus. Each of these encounters with Jesus speak to us of how step-by-step He leads us to faith and life in Him. Listen carefully as they are read and reflect on what they mean to us. Perhaps resolve to make one of our Lenten exercises the reading of God’s Word in the Gospel. There is nothing that will better nourish our prayer and spiritual life than a careful and pious reading of the Bible.
This week the decision was made nationally that we have reached the next stage (2) of the Coronavirus crisis. You can find the full guidelines on the Diocesan website (there is a link in this Newsletter). Certain practical changes have already been implemented since last weekend such as no Communion of the Precious Blood from the Chalice, and the recommendation that Communion be received in the hand. We need to bear in mind, when receiving Holy Communion, that our hands also carry a huge amount of bacteria (many pathogens are transmitted through the hands). Holy Communion under one kind can serve to remind us of the doctrine of concomitance i.e. that Our Lord is present, whole and entire - Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity - under the form of the Host or in the Chalice. By receiving under one kind we are receiving the whole Christ and are not deprived of any graces. Holy Communion under both kinds is simply a fuller expression of the symbol of the Sacrament. When it comes to the Sign of Peace, physical contact is discouraged. The Holy Water stoops will remain empty for the time-being, also as a precaution. We have also been advised to suspend using hymn books and Mass books. Where necessary there will be a disposal hymn sheets provided. Thank you for your understanding and consideration in these unusual times! Please pray the prayer (included in this Newsletter) for those who are suffering as a result of this epidemic.
The penitential and purifying nature of this Lenten season has been heightened for us with this crisis; let us try to respond with the demeanour of those who have faith and trust in the living God.
Msgr Kevin Hale
Priest@LourdesLeigh.org ✚ 01702 478078
The Sunday Homily is available as a podcast at LourdesLeigh.org