Update/reflection from Fr. Gratton (27 MAR 2020):

N.B. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was offered for all of our parishioners and for the Poor, Holy Souls in Purgatory (by Mike and Emily Parker)

Online Giving Update: Many of you have asked how you can continue to support the parish finances during this time of quarantine, well now Online Giving is officially up and running on the parish website! If you click this link, it will bring you to the page on our website where you can choose to donate to either parish, and to whichever fund you would like to support: https://ourlady.vermontcatholic.org/online-giving

Please note that I have already signed up for recurring payments at both parishes, and have seen what it looks like. It is very easy to do—just click on which parish you would like to donate to, then click which fund you want to donate to, fill in the information, and voila! The only catch is that trying to give to separate funds requires you to have separate accounts right now. The company we are working with is fixing this as we speak, and will hopefully have a way to donate to multiple funds from one personal account in the future.

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Reflection on the daily Mass readings http://usccb.org/bible/readings/032720.cfm

I am going to focus mainly on the first reading today, from the Book of Wisdom. I have always enjoyed this reading because it is unlike most of Scripture, in that we see things from the perspective of the wicked. We are hearing their thoughts and their words about a faithful man that they do not like. I think I like this reading because it seems like a precursor to C.S. Lewis’ “Screwtape Letters” (which I HIGHLY recommend and which you can read here: https://novels77.com/242829-the-screwtape-letters.html).

C.S. Lewis is best known for writing the “Chronicles of Narnia” series, but he also wrote extensively on Christianity and its defense in a world that was becoming more secular by the day. The “Screwtape Letters” are, arguably, his most unique work because it all takes place from the perspective of two demons: one is a senior tempter (Screwtape) who is very close to “Our Father Below,” and the other is young and in training (Wormwood). The senior tempter is explaining to the younger how to make human beings fall into the trap of sin and evil. He goes chapter by chapter, explaining the weaknesses of human beings in different scenarios, and how to win souls for the evil one.

The book is fascinating because it is both funny and frightening at times. It is funny because of the setting and the way they speak of how bizarre humans can be (which can hit close to home). It is frightening for the very same reason—these demons seem to know the reader’s heart too well, and it is eerie when one begins to realize what kind of spiritual soldiers are out there trying to snatch our souls from the One that Loves us infinitely.

The reading from the Book of Wisdom is similar, in the sense that it gives us a glimpse into the darkness. We hear the plots of wicked men. We hear their words and reasoning for disliking this just and honorable man. And we see what they intend to do about it (this is a foreshadowing of what human beings will do to Jesus one day).

It is a strong reminder that we are in a world that is in battle between good and evil. It is a reminder that there are going to be people who hate us for our faith, or who think we are foolish for believing in God. Jesus makes it abundantly clear that if they are treating Him this way, then they will surely do the same to us (John 15:20).

The saints in heaven are called the Church Triumphant. The souls in purgatory are called the Church Penitent. And those of us on earth are called the Church Militant—because we are on the front lines of the battle between good and evil.

Lent is a reminder to us all that Our Lord was tempted by the devil in the desert for 40 days, and that He was plagued for His entire life by these demons to not follow through with the Father’s will. We, too, must not become complacent. We must be “wise as serpents, and innocent as doves,” as Jesus says (Matthew 10:16). We must be aware that there are people of this world who will try to steer us away from God (whether knowingly or unknowingly), and also that there is a spiritual world that is trying to convince our hearts of lies so that we give up on Our Father in heaven.

Do not be overwhelmed at my words, today, my sons and daughters. They are not meant to scare you. They are like C.S. Lewis’, “Screwtape Letters”, which were written to spiritually arm human beings, and to help make us aware that when things go wrong in our day, or when we feel far from God, that it is because there are things in the world who hate it when we get close to Him. Do not fall for their traps. See them for what they are; see those dark moments as opportunities to look for the Light; hold onto your faith even in the most trying of times; and realize that your God is everything. He is your Hope. He is your Light. He is your all in all!

And if we can keep our eyes fixed on Christ, even when the storms of brokenness and evil fly all around us, then nothing can tear us down, for Jesus has already won the victory. Give your heart to the God of Love, this day, and see what wonders He has in store for you!

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Stay strong, and know I love you all so very much!

In Christ,

Fr. Gratton