The Lord has allowed you to live in this moment…
Dear friends, may no adversity paralyze you. Be afraid neither of the world, nor of the future, nor of your weakness. The Lord has allowed you to live in this moment of history so that, by your faith, his name will continue to resound throughout the world.
– Excerpt from the Homily of Pope Benedict XVI, Prayer Vigil with Young People, at the 26 ^th World Youth Day in Madrid (August 20, 2011)
 
The whole of this relatively short Homily from Pope Benedict XVI addressed to Young People is filled with hope, because it is an announcement of the Truth of Christ, that God loves us and has given us so many gifts to live for him in these days. It is a worthy read, a reminder of what is true.  The full text can be found here. 

I have included an image of Pope Benedict XVI greeting the crowd in the rain in the square of Saint Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City – I hope you like it.
 
 
 
As I continue to think about these days of restrictions, many cancellations, and the ever-growing number of positive COVID-19 infections with the mortalities caused by the coronavirus, this concept of our life being filled with deliberate purpose came to mind.  We have been created in this moment of history.  We are members of the Church, through our Baptism, in this place and time.  In the incredible Love of God, through Divine Providence, each one of us has been created in the Image of God and called to live as members of the Mystical Body of Christ in these strange days.  As our ancestors and ancient brothers and sisters in Christ did in their trials, we too have the opportunity to allow this unexpected time to be a moment for each one of us to become more firmly rooted in the Truth of Christ. 
 
To know, love, and serve the Lord…
 
As your Parish Priest, I urge you not to merely endure these days of restrictions like a prisoner counting down until his release, merely existing so that he can return to his former life – no, do not just survive this trial without growing in your relationship with the Lord!  Rather, use these days well to more firmly re-commit yourself to know, love, and serve the Lord and live with Him in Heaven for all eternity.  Please, interiorize the Word of God (through reading, prayer, and memorization) and consider the sins and vices that are a part of your life’s history and, with the grace of God, reconsider how you will uproot these darkened patterns so that your thoughts, words, and actions will radiate the love of God through your life of Truth in Charity.  Yes, this is difficult work – it is the work of repentance – it demands from us an authentic prayer life and the foundational virtue of self-denial.  This approach to engaging the opportunity of such strange times will call each of us to confront our insecurities, wounds, and false-ideals and to seek wisdom, healing, and truth through the grace of God. 
 
At some point, we will all come out on the other side of this COVID-19 crisis and these many restrictions.  The world, our society, and our communities will be changed by this experience.  We simply cannot ‘turn back the clock’ and resume as though these days did not happen – there are lessons to be learned.  Because of the power of our freewill and the incredible gift of God’s grace we can be truly different when each of us is released from this time of limitations.  If we want to be more like Christ, the saint that we have been created to be, it can happen.  This continued transformation will be caused by the grace given through our own trust in God and abandonment to Divine Providence.  We must do more than mere appreciate the opportunity to live in this moment and admire the idea of being and authentic Catholic Christian.  ‘The Lord has allowed you to live in this moment…’ and for this moment to yield the treasure of Heaven we will have to choose to live for the Truth of Christ.  This transformation of self is not only possible, it is the necessary effort of our entire life.
 
 
The Wisdom of Sacred Scripture
 
It remains my most sincere hope that this time of restrictions will produce in our souls a harvest of love for the Word of God.  For me, I have taken up a more meditative praying of the Liturgy of the Hours – the prayers that I pray each day, built upon the Psalms, readings from the scriptures, and reflections from the Saints, Popes, and teachings of the Church – as well time simply reading the Sacred Scriptures.  In the coming days I will have more on some plans and commentaries for a successful approach to integrating the Word of God into your life… I need some time to consider the options and offer some suggestions… perhaps for today, you could begin with the First Letter of the Apostle Peter, our first Pope, who understood personally the struggle of remaining faithful to Jesus Christ in the midst of difficulty.  To conclude today, I will end with these words from Saint Peter (1 Pt 1:6-9):
 
In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
 
 
Know of my prayers for you, please pray for me!
 
Father Wilke
 
Saint Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer, pray for us!