To teach us by his example…  
S. Is there another reason why Christ so willed to exhaust Himself in a bitter death?
 
T. To teach us by His example the virtue of patience, humility, obedience and charity, which are the four virtues, attested to by the four points of the Cross. Greater patience cannot be discovered than that which is in one who innocently suffers an ignominious death, nor greater humility than the Lord of all Lords lifted up on the Cross in the middle of thieves; nor was there greater obedience than to prefer death to not fulfilling the command of the Father to die; at length there was never greater charity than to pay the penalty of death for the salvation of one’s enemies. Here, not charity by great deeds rather than words, and it is shown more in His passion than His deeds. For Christ showed us that He most ardently loves us not only in His infinite benefits, but also in His passion and death. – Doctrina Christiana: The Timeless Catechism of St. Robert Bellarmine (translated by Ryan Grant), pp. 27-28
 
This little reply from Saint Robert Bellarmine in ‘The Timeless Catechism’ has imprinted itself in my mind – helping me to come to understand the Love of God in an more powerful way and guiding my own manner of life, as I seek to follow Christ. 
 
It was a few years ago when I read this text for the first time, and from its first reading I was struck by the many insights and comprehensive nature of this catechism.  It is a question-and-answer style, thus the “S.” for student and the “T.” for teacher, but is not designed to be a memorized text, rather it is meant to answer the questions of the faith in a way that draws the reader to want to learn more about the Lord and the Catholic Church. 
 
On this day between the Death and Resurrection of the Lord, I wanted to take up this explanation on the death of Christ to help us receive his Mercy.  As Saint Robert Bellarmine emphases the example of the Lord is given in these four virtues: patience, humility, obedience, and charity.  Thinking of them as the four points of the Cross, it occurs to me that they must be a part of the life of every Christian.  Each of us is called to take up our own cross and follow the Lord, a cross after the pattern of the Lord’s that he carried and freely chose to die upon.  Further, it is impossible to consider a saint who has not (perhaps with some internal conflict) incorporated these four virtues as the marks of his own life.  Thus, the cross is necessary.  Here, I think of the wisdom of Saint Rose of Lima – an incredible saint – exhorting us on the value of the Cross of Christ (perhaps, also, the necessity of each taking up their own crosses): “Apart from the cross there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven.”
 
Over the past few years, as I have looked upon the Crucified Christ I have been reminded of the fact that the Passion has been given over both as an atonement for sin, offering redemption to all humanity, and as an example for the Christian Life.  That, these four virtues radiate from the cross as the example of the New Law of Christ: ‘to love one another as the Lord has loved you’ and to ‘seek first the Kingdom of Heaven and its righteousness.’  And… of course… despite my many hopes, I have struggled to apply these virtues of the Cross in my own life – yet, continue to have magnanimous quality.  Just paging through the Gospel, or any of the Sacred Scriptures, one can quickly see how these four virtues are the attributes of God and the prescribed manner of life for his people.
 
A personal, brief, comment on each: patience – a most difficult virtue in an age of immediate gratification, yet it is the way of God’s Mercy as He has endured waiting for each of us to return to Him; humility – perhaps the greatest virtue of the life of Jesus, it calls each to a voluntary gentle and lowly way, a deep modesty at all times, in response to others; obedience – clearly this is the path of our salvation, the one who is obedient to the Lord will be welcomed into Heaven (also, in these sacred days it is worth noting this ancient prayer of the Church: ‘For our sake Christ was obedient, accepting even death, death on a cross.’); and, charity – the virtue that is the very essence of God and the New Life of Christ, for God is Love, demands from us sacrifice for the good of the other (not for personal gain, benefits, or admiration, but truly to accept the costs and pains of what is best for another).  No doubt, much more should be said on each and all of these virtues and they are interconnected – just as the points of the Cross are unique and related to one another – but, that is how they have shaped my thinking today.
 
In these uncertain days, I would encourage you to pray with the response of Saint Robert Bellarmine about the bitter passion of Christ.  Patience, humility, obedience, and charity are the way of God’s Love; they are a medicine against sin, especially the great sin of Pride; they are the final and greatest example of Christ for each of us.  And as they are the model for our Salvation they form a necessary rubric for the Christian Life.  It remains my most sincere hope that I, and all of us, will seek the kingdom of Heaven through patience, humility, obedience, and charity; that Christ will be our only example as we live each day in the hope of Heaven.
 
A prayer that you may find helpful, as you seek to follow Christ, is one that I have found to be both challenging and helpful in living the virtues of the Cross: the Litany of Humility. 
 
 
 
HOLY SATURDAY
 
As we have for so many days and weeks, we remain separated physically on this most important day.  Our union in the faith is manifested through our love for the Word of God, devotion to prayer, and by various modes of communication.  In this way we enter uniquely into the betrayal, isolation, and suffering of the Lord Jesus during His Passion, Crucifixion, and Death.
 
I urge you to read and meditate on the Sacred Scriptures for the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night – it is an extended Liturgy of the Word, well worth the time.  This unique and beautiful Liturgy of Holy Saturday is the typical occasion for Adult Converts to be incorporated into the Church. Also, it is celebrated during the Night as the first of the Easter Liturgies of the Church, beginning with the Paschal Fire.  This year, due to the coronavirus it has been dramatically reduced according to the directives of the Vatican and the Diocese – obviously, due to the number of people required to have a safe fire the Paschal Fire has been omitted.  Although, it still includes the readings, a blessing of Holy Water, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, but theses rites are clearly reduced in these most strange days.     
 
It is further encouraged, for all who are able – in good health and according to prudence – that the Good Friday fast would extend to include Holy Saturday (certainly, this is not mandated by the Law of the Church and could be observed, at least in part, through abstinence from meat on Holy Saturday).  This extending of the fast is encouraged as way of honoring the suffering and death of Jesus, as well as a traditional preparation for the joyous feast of Easter Sunday.  Fasting is an aid in deepening our desire for what is anticipated, may this discipline yield a hunger of the Presence of the Risen Christ in your life.
 
Also, today we continue the Novena of Divine Mercy – a wonderful devotion to the Love of God.
 
Easter Sunday
 
Just a reminder, Bishop Gainer has invited the faithful to join with him, remotely, for Easter Mass, live streamed at 9:30 a.m.
 
All live streams of Holy Week and Easter Masses will be recorded and available for view after the scheduled Mass, at the Diocese of Harrisburg YouTube Channel.
 
 
You remain in my prayers
 
Please, know that all of the members of our Parish remain in my prayers and you are remembered in particular tonight as I offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at the Altar of God for “The People of the Parish” for this first and most solemn (although drastically reduced) celebration of the Resurrection of Christ from the Dead. 
 
Further, the intention for the Easter Sunday Mass that I will offer is also for “the People of the Parish.”  As your Parish Priest it is my privilege to offer the Holy Mass for each of you.  Note, this is listed as the ‘intention of the celebrant’ – in the weekly bulletin – and this is true;  although I could offer the Holy Mass for a variety of good intentions, each one of you, the People of the Parish, remain my foremost intention during these most difficult days, thus I will offer both of the Holy Saturday Vigil and the Easter Sunday Holy Masses for you all.
 
Know of my prayers for you, please pray for me!
 
Father Wilke
 
Saint Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer, pray for us!