Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church

"For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich." - 2 Corinthians 8:9

Prayer: Lord, may we trust in You in all circumstances, that in good or ill, sickness or health, rich or poor, consolation or desolation, in all things we may look to You to give us new life. Amen.

Trust In Darkness

Todays readings help set the tone for the coming feasts. We know that it is not all joy, that Jesus first endures darkness. His road to this point has been mixed with people coming to believe in Him and follow Him, while others have grown bitter and hard of heart and plot to kill Him.

The speaker in our first reading from the prophet Isaiah is the suffering servant. The suffering servant knows that God is with Him, that God has formed and shaped him for this trial. He knows his path forward is difficult, but no matter what happens he will be blessed for doing the will of God.

Our Psalm speaks from the heart of the person who is burdened by the rejection of God. That the psalmist is one who has been called by God to speak on God's behalf and as a result now shares God's rejection.

The Gospel reveals the plotting, betrayal and treachery of Judas Iscariot. Judas even in his own mind may think that he is not betraying Jesus, yet never-the-less Jesus bears it for a greater good.

The tone of today is to remind us that even as Jesus was bringing about our salvation, there was great darkness. If we are to celebrate the great joy of the resurrection, we must not fear the cross or the darkness. The low point and uncertainty deepen our joy at the triumph. If we must be in darkness, let your trust in God be your light.

May God richly bless you!

-Fr. Jeremy

Again, here is a video from last year filmed during COVID. I was living with a visiting priest who has served the parishes of Our Lady of the Snows, St. Catherine's, and St. Michael's, for a month several years ago.