11 12, April, 2020 catholicweekly.com.au We Catholics need to find new ways to connect and be there for the isolated, anxious and vulnerable as well. Whatever the insurers say, COVID-19 is no ‘act of God’, even if it is rightly experienced as judgment and opportu- nity. No, the acts of God right now are the acts He inspires in His faithful people and the wonders of protection and healing He grants at their intercession.” Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP Others of whomwe’re par- ticularly aware at this time are essential service workers, civ- ic leaders and public health authorities. They must keep the wheels of economy and polity turning, direct our pub- lic safety, and lead us safely as possible to life after the virus. There were those with au- thority and responsibility in the Passion narrative also. We think of the temple guards and Roman soldiers, the Gov- ernor and High Priest, the Jewish elders and the cap- tains of industry who bury the Lord. Jesus Himself through- out the ordeal remains the steadfast witness to God, to goodness, to truth. Each had a job to do, in difficult circum- stances, and some did more creditably than others. Our challenge is to ensure that essential services contin- ue, and that people are well led and informed. Our es- sential service workers, civic leaders and public health au- thorities are there with Christ in His Passion and He is here with them right now. Then there are the ordinary folk, perhaps with livelihoods evaporating before their eyes, financially, emotionally or spiritually insecure. So much of their life is now on hold. Some are more panicked, irresponsible or selfish, others calmer, compliant, adaptable. Some have found new ways to be socially present amidst all the ‘social distancing’, as Zoomers and WhatsAppli- cants. Much of that is there at the first Easter too, save the internet. The crowd seesaws be- tween ‘Hosanna’ and ‘Crucify Him!’, easily led but uncertain. There’s the social distancing of Jesus from the disciples in the Garden, of Peter from the court in the courtyard, of the holy women from the cross. Fleeing disciples, mock- ing thieves, keening women, gaming soldiers, a poor man forced to carry the cross, a rich one to give over his tomb. There was a great range of characters and reactions then, as there are among us today. The challenge for Church and community is now to include and unite, lead and serve. The financially, emo- tionally or spiritually insecure, the ordinary and extraordi- nary Australians, all are there with Christ in Holy Week and He is here with them right now. Finally, there are the great pray-ers and do-ers of our community, who keep us spiritually on course, who amidst fear and separation build hope and connection, and in response to church closures have made their homes more truly ‘domestic churches’. These are the faithful wom- en and men who follow Jesus to Jerusalem, loving and serv- ing Him, who share in His last supper and garden agony or else keep watch with Him on the street, at the cross, in the sepulchre. The challenge for us now is to be those praying women and apostolic men, reaching 10 PM DAILY www.ewtn.com/catholicism/adora a on Daily from 11 PM to 8 AM Sydney Time During this global pandemic, EWTN will con n nue praying for your inten n ons, par r cularly for protec c on and healing from COVID-19. Lord Jesus, have mercy on us and heal our world! Contact us for more information on how you can watch EWTN EWTN is a non-pro fi t organization supported entirely by donations Email: asiapaci f i
[email protected] Mobile: 0451 679 561 Fax: (02) 9475 5080 Write: PO Box 2276 Tuggeranong ACT 2901 EWTN Highlights Preview www.ewtn.com TELEVISION • RADIO • NEWS • ONLINE • PUBLISHING Global Catholic Network Download the FREE EWTN App on Google Play or App Store and start watching from your mobile devices or to any of these digital media players on your HD TV . www.ewtn.com/resources LIVE TRUTH. LIVE CATHOLIC. WWW.EWTN.COM/TV/WATCH-LIVE/ASIA-PACIFIC Find the career you deserve SEE OUR LATEST JOBS Call Katie (02) 9390 5402 catholicjobsonline.com. au out to God and to others more than ever, giving cause for hope, idealism, compassion. Those who intercede and serve are there with Christ in Holy Week and He is with them here and now. Whatever the insurers say, COVID-19 is no ‘act of God’, even if it is rightly experienced as judgment and opportunity. No, the acts of God right now are the acts He inspires in His faithful people and the won- ders of protection and healing He grants at their intercession. Where is God in this pan- demic? He’s with the sick, dying and dead, with the doc- tors and nurses, pastors and carers, with the isolated, anx- ious, elderly, vulnerable, with the essential service work- ers, authorities and ordinary folk, with the pray-ers and the do-ers. By the power of His holy week we can join the centuri- on in declaring “In truth this is the Son of God!” and become, ourselves, true acts of God, sites of healing and redemp- tion. This is the edited text of the homily by Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP for the Mass of Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, Year A. Live-streamed from St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, on 5 April 2020. FROM THE ARCHBISHOP