ST. ANN CHURCH AND NATIONAL SHRINE·SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2020·READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

Homily by Fr. Billy O’Riordan

I will begin with a short story about a little boy who was sick on Palm Sunday and had to stay at home with his mother. His father, however, went to church and returned with a palm branch. The little boy was curious and asked: “Why do you have a palm branch, Dad?” Dad replied: “Well, Jesus came into town and everyone waved palm branches to honor him.” The little boy said: “Shucks! The one Sunday I miss Mass Jesus shows up.” That said, I have told a few people that Jesus was seen around Metairie in these last days, and when asked what he was doing, he said: “I’m working from home.”

Today brothers and sisters in Christ we celebrate with the whole Church the Lord’s Paschal Mystery, that is to say, his passion, death, and resurrection. We celebrate Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion. It’s very different this year - a year we will never forget, and in ways, we are anxious, worried, and restless as Holy Week goes on … What begins with songs of joy, waving palm branches and procession shifts rather quickly into a shouting match: “Let him be crucified!” Why the change?

Scott Peck, in his book The Road Less Traveled, begins with a single sentence: “Life is hard.” The rest of the book is written to teach us that how we face this reality makes the difference between a life of peace and a life of despair. How do we face suffering? How do we endure it? We do it the same way Jesus did!

Having listened to the Gospel of the passion and death of Jesus, we are reminded of the cowardice of some of the followers who abandoned him in his greatest hour of need, and we are reminded too of the wickedness of the religious leaders who plotted his death, and of the cruelty of the soldiers who carried out his execution. Somehow we need to be reminded of these things because in ways we have a kinship with them. We betray the Lord too … and others!

The passion shows how Jesus responded to what was done to him. He absorbed all the violence, transformed it, and returned it as love and forgiveness: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” There was nothing but love in him. What did I say? There was nothing but love in him … It was not Jesus’ suffering that saved the world. It was his love. Anyone who pretends to love suffering is crazy. Yet somehow, we are glad to suffer for and with someone we love. In ways, we would exchange places with them … Love gives meaning to suffering. It is not suffering that redeems the world. It is love that redeems the world. Love makes suffering holy and redemptive. It is the spirit in which we bear our burdens and carry our cross that matters. There is that temptation to enter Jerusalem rejoicing but then to hurry through it and skip the ugly details of betrayal and death. We want to get into the important part of the story - the resurrection! But there is no resurrection without death …

I will close here with a line: The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is inside you.

Daniel 13:14-62 & John 8:1-11

Homily by Fr. Billy O’Riordan

Well, where are we in light of today’s readings? In ways, we are not unlike the two men in the first reading making false accusations against the God-fearing woman, Susanna by our gossip, and we tend to cast blame on the woman caught in adultery by judging others … Some years ago when preparing a meditation, I came across these words of wisdom: “Counting other people’s sins does not make you a saint.”

In today’s Gospel, we hear those unforgettable words of Jesus: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Even with these known words of Jesus, we do cast stones of judgment towards others without always knowing the truth of the situation … In these days of upheaval and confusion as a result of the virus, it’s easy to criticize at a distance, isn’t it? It’s easy to pick up the phone and blame someone for the turmoil caused by a virus … Oh, I have gotten a few calls myself … We live in a culture of blame and tend to join the mob who want to stone the nameless woman in the Gospel story … There are people who blame someone falsely for not getting their way. Oh, I can tell you a few stories, but not here … You learn a lot about people when they don’t get what they want!

Isn’t it interesting how the accusers saw a sinner but Jesus saw a woman who could be a saint - a little encouragement may go a long way! Rather than taking the easy way and cast stones and blame others, I want you to think about this closing line: “Discovering who you are today is the first step to being who you will be tomorrow.”

Ezekiel 37:12-14 Romans 8:8-11 John 11:1-45

Homily by Fr. Billy O’Riordan

Today, brothers and sisters in Christ, we celebrate the Fifth Sunday of Lent Year A, which means next Sunday is Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord and the beginning of Holy Week … It’s going to be very different this year. Fr. Vincent and I pray Mass daily from the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, but today you will notice that the crucifix above the tabernacle and the statues of the two angels are covered. On this Sunday, crosses and images are usually covered. The cross remains covered until the unveiling on Good Friday, but images remain covered until the beginning of the Easter Vigil. This is a custom of the Church, but the origin seems to come from a medieval tradition known as the “hunger cloth” which was a large violet cloth hung in front of the altar from the beginning of Lent to keep the congregation from viewing the altar - creating a longing amongst the congregation … The cloth was removed during the reading of the Passion on Holy Wednesday often referred to as Spy Wednesday at the words “the veil of the temple was rent in two.”

This medieval tradition of hiding the altar from the congregation with a “hunger cloth” is very real for us in these times of the coronavirus pandemic. St. Ann Church & Shrine is open daily from 8:30 AM until 6:30 PM via entrance through the Transcontinental side of the church. However, you cannot join us for public Mass even though you hunger to receive the Lord sacramentally … You receive him in God’s word and spiritually, but you long for the day when that “hunger cloth” can be removed … You long for the day when you can come out of the tomb of distancing … for the day when you can be untied and come to Mass … for the day when you can visit your family and friends and hug them … for the day you can go out to eat with family … for the day that you can have a large barbecue party … for the day you can jump on your motorcycle and go where you like … for the day you can hit the lake on your boat and feel the breeze … You know, I have told Fr. Vincent that on the first public gathering for Sunday Mass the sign of peace will take about fifteen minutes.

Today’s readings remind us that God alone has the power of life over death. The first reading describes a vision of the prophet Ezekiel during Israel’s captivity and exile in Babylon - the Israelites felt buried! Babylon had become their grave. In ways, we feel buried and the coronavirus pandemic has become a grave, and we are grounded. We need to have Ezekiel’s vision of rising again as a people, and as a nation under God.

In the Gospel reading, we heard about Martha and Mary grieving the loss of their brother’s death. We all know the pain of losing a loved one to death … Some of you know the grief and misery of not having a funeral for your loved one. It’s interesting how Martha and Mary react differently to Jesus when he arrived after Lazarus had already been placed in the tomb for four days. Mary stayed at home, but Martha went out to Jesus complaining: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died …” And so a conversation follows and Jesus declares himself to be life over death. He told Martha: “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” That statement of Jesus is for us too, especially at this time, but the question: “Do you believe this?” is a personal one for you and me. Do you believe that Jesus wants to go into the “tomb” of these days and untie whatever it is that imprisons you in some way and set you free? Resurrection does not happen in a sterile room and smelling like our favorite Fabreze and odor eliminating deodorizer. No, resurrection happens in dirty and smelly places, and in hearts you would never think possible. Thank you Jesus!

Generally speaking, when we suffer it seems like God is absent. Look to the cross and tell me God doesn’t care … Jesus overcame death, not by avoiding it, but by undergoing it. You know, one of the interesting parts of today’s Gospel is that Jesus cried out in prayer. He probably broke down in tears too losing his friend, Lazarus. Men are not good at showing emotions … They are supposed to take the knocks and not cry, and so some people build a wall behind which they hide what is fragile in themselves. Tears do not mean that a person is weak … It means a person has a heart. Brothers and sisters in Christ, during these days of hungering, let us develop a heart - the heart of Jesus Christ!

ST. ANN CHURCH AND NATIONAL SHRINE·SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020·READING TIME: 5 MINUTES

I Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41

Prayer of the Faithful

Fourth Sunday of Lent Year A

Priest-Celebrant: Encouraged by the Lord’s teaching and strengthened by God’s word, we reflect on what we need in the Church and in the community.

1. For Pope Francis, Archbishop Aymond, and civic leaders, that the Lord who is shepherd will guide them with perseverance in this time of the coronavirus. Let us pray to be patient with decisions they must make at this time. We pray to the Lord.

2. For the gift to live as children of the light so that we can overcome the darkness and blindness caused by ours sins: May we, during this time of Lent, resolve to walk in the light of Christ and be true to the faithfulness of his teaching and love. We pray to the Lord.

3. For those who work tirelessly to maintain some normalcy in this time of uncertainty and fear. We pray especially for our police and first responders, doctors, and nurses who work long hours attending to the needs of the sick, especially those infected with the virus. We pray to the Lord.

4. For those who are in need of the Lord’s healing today. We pray especially for those who may be suffering from depression at this time. We remember those in hospital and those who are homebound, and for our beloved faithful longing to receive the Holy Eucharist sacramentally. We pray to the Lord.

5. For those who have died, and their families at this time of sorrow and distress. May our beloved dead meet the Lord and Shepherd who longs to lead them beside restful waters. We pray to the Lord.

6. For the intentions of this Mass, the needs of the people who come here to the shrine in prayer, and the prayers we hold in our hearts united in the Holy Spirit with St. Ann, and all the saints who stand before the throne of the Lamb. We pray to the Lord.

Priest-Celebrant: God of mercy, take pity on us, and strengthen our faith and grant what we need through Christ our Lord.

ST. ANN CHURCH AND NATIONAL SHRINE·SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2020·
READING TIME: 2 MINUTES 4 Reads

Luke 18:9-14

Homily by Fr. Billy O’Riordan

There is a legend that dates back to medieval times about a woman who died and went to heaven. Her life on earth had not been very good. When she arrived at the gate of heaven she was told that she could be admitted only under one condition. She had to return to earth and bring back the gift that God values above all other gifts.

She returned to earth and thought about what gift God values above all other gifts. Then one day she came upon a young man who had just died for his faith in God. She thought, “This is indeed the gift that God values most, the blood of someone who died for the faith.” She took a drop of the young man’s blood and brought it to heaven, but when she presented it she was told that there is something more that God values.

She returned to earth and found an old missionary preaching God’s word among the poor and the homeless. She thought, “This is indeed the gift that God values most, the sweat from the brow of someone who has spent his life bringing the good news of salvation to the poor.” When she presented it she was told that there is something more that God values.

She returned to earth once more and thought about the gift that valued more than the blood of the young martyr and the sweat of the old missionary. Finally, one day she came upon a child playing at a fountain. The child’s face was beautiful and innocent. At that moment a man on horseback rode up, dismounted to get a drink from the fountain, looked at the child, and remembered his own childhood innocence. Then he looked into the fountain and saw a reflection of his own face. It was ugly and hardened over time by sinful ways. But, as he stared into the water he suddenly realized how wrongly he had wasted the life that God had given him. At that moment tears of repentance welled up in his eyes and rolled down his cheeks, and fell into the fountain.

The woman took one of the man’s tears and brought it back to heaven, and when she presented it there was great joy among the angels and saints. The tears of repentance were indeed the gift God valued above all others.

That legend fits today’s Gospel for the prayer that was valued most was the humble prayer of the repentant tax collector.

ST. ANN CHURCH AND NATIONAL SHRINE·THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020·2 MINUTES

Fr. Billy O’Riordan

Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. St. Joseph is celebrated with two feasts: today as husband of Mary, and on May 1st as the patron saint of workers. He is also recognized as the Patron Saint of the Church, unborn children, fathers, and immigrants. He might best be described as a man of faith deeply rooted in the Jewish tradition, and a carpenter by trade who helped provide a home for Jesus and Mary. Even though he played a significant role in the life of Jesus and Mary, Joseph was a man of silence, and most likely a man who prayed and contemplated every move … Perhaps Joseph’s silence begs a question of you and me: How do we use our gift of speech?

In this time of homeschooling and taking classes online, it’s important for us to remember that Joseph homeschooled Jesus. Jesus imitated his mannerisms … These days are strange to us in that we are used to doing what we want and going where we like ... But this can be a time of prayer and example to our children and grandchildren.

On Tuesday when I went to lock our church, I saw a family in prayer, praying the rosary - a mother and father teaching their children about the importance of prayerful intercession and faith in these days of virus and distancing. That mother and father set an example like Joseph did to be imitated. That mother and father understood their vocation. To our married couples - Your vocation is to get your spouse and your children to heaven. This is your ultimate vocation!

St. Joseph is the protector and guardian of the Church. So, let us take this time to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, Archbishop Aymond, and leaders of the Church as we make this “strange” journey in faith and with hope. This time can be compared to Joseph taking Jesus and Mary to another land - to Egypt for safety from the hands of Herod. We are not used to this even though we have the latest and greatest in technology when it comes to getting around, even in strange places or other countries. This is a time when we have to rely on God and be like Joseph - that just man obedient in faith and alive in prayer. St. Joseph … Pray for us.

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020·3 MINUTES

Fr. Billy O’Riordan

Today in our First Scripture we hear about Azariah standing up in the fire and praying: “For your name’s sake, O Lord, do not deliver us up forever, or make void your covenant … Deliver us by your wonders, and bring glory to your name.” In ways, these words might well be ours during this time of the coronavirus. Instead of being out on the streets today parading and celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, we are indoors and no public Masses.

We cannot think of Patrick - the captive, the slave in exile, and the migrant without acknowledging the challenges of the coronavirus. We now have to distance ourselves from what we have grown used to every day. However, it was in this distancing that Patrick discovered God. It was in this distancing from his family and country, and watching over swine, sheep, and cattle on the hills around County Antrim that Patrick discovered God.

Accustomed to warm clothing, hearty food, and comfortable lodging, Patrick found himself hungry, cold and separated from his family, and it was then he turned to God in prayer for help. In his Confession, Patrick makes clear that previously the Christian faith was marginal in his life. That changed when he was enslaved … It was in those moments of loneliness and feelings of abandonment that Patrick discovered God. We are often too busy for discovery. It takes a virus or a hurricane to bring us to realize that we are very vulnerable as human beings even with our stuff … We need the spiritual stamina of Bishop St. Patrick of Ireland, and we need to know that Christ is beside us, Christ is before us, Christ is behind us, and Christ is within us, longing to be king of our hearts and never to part. Christ is on our right and left, the shield in this time of strife.

This is not the time to look in the wrong end of a telescope and see something small … and narrow the scope of mercy and possibility like Peter tried to do in our Gospel scripture today in counting how many times he should forgive. We are charged to look beyond and see something we have not yet discovered but may well do so in this time of the coronavirus and in these days of Lent. We are being taught by Jesus to forgive and pray. This time of distancing and these days of Lent is indeed a time to journey from the mind to the heart - often a difficult journey! I came across this quote: The first step to getting what you want is to have the courage to get rid of what you don’t.

St. Patrick … Pray for us!