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Introduction – Prayers Of The Faithful

“We can’t think of the Christian life apart from this path. There is always this journey, a journey that He(Jesus) took first, the journey of humility, the journey, too, of humiliation, of denying oneself, and then rising. But this is the path. Without the Cross, the Christian style is not Christian, and if the Cross is a Cross without Jesus, it is not Christian. The Christian style takes the Cross with Jesus and goes forward- not without the Cross, not without Jesus.”    Pope Francis

A new month begins on Tuesday. With September comes the opening of schools and a provincial election. These are very welcome signs that small battles are being won in the war against COVID-19. But does it mean that we are on the verge of “business as usual”? People speak of a “new normal” which will define the way we live. The old normal would work quite well if it is done, as Pope Francis suggests, i.e. to live in the Christian style where the cross enables us to be humble and to sacrifice for others and Jesus always gives us reason to hope.

St. Paul warns today about conforming to the age. The present age is marked by the fears connected to the pandemic and a growing sense of isolation, a pernicious kind of separation from others and from the culture and faith that have formed us. In faith we have connected more deeply though prayer for each other and by enduring the sacrifices to keep others healthy. That is the lifestyle of a Christian.

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Introduction – Prayers Of The Faithful

“Each of us is a small stone, but in Jesus’ hands participates in the building of the Church.”     Pope Francis

Much has been learned about the current Corona Virus since it first brought havoc to much of the world. Now that its effects have subsided somewhat the attention turns to the next, or second wave. In the meantime many people have begun to experience pandemic fatigue! They are certainly concerned about the possibility of future illness but there has been so much impact on our daily lives many are looking for some kind of relief! Generations within families are cut off from physical contact and many live in isolation. Daily routines and life-giving rituals have stopped. Seasonal workers have lost their income and some workers have been forced to work longer, more stressful hours.

It is natural to question our place in the community and even wonder what our lives are all about. But living the difficulties of restrictions and facing future uncertainties can serve a larger purpose. Our thoughts of people cut off from us, our prayers for each other person affected, our contributions, in whatever form, to people in need, our prayers of petition for others and even our prayerful sighs of loneliness and bewilderment build up the church and our community of faith. We are not alone. God is with us. Each of us is necessary. The sadness, boredom, hardship and sacrifice of today are the grains of wheat that God grinds to become the Eucharist we long to celebrate together!