Easter Vigil: Jesus Lights Up A Dark World

Today is Holy Saturday and the Catholic Church has its Liturgy of Light.  You can read more about the liturgy here in this older post.

The Easter Vigil, also known as the Paschal Vigil or the Great Vigil of Easter, is a significant liturgy held in traditional Christian churches to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. It takes place during the hours of darkness between sunset on Holy Saturday and sunrise on Easter Day. This solemn and beautiful Mass is considered the most sacred in the liturgical year.

During the Easter Vigil, people are baptized, and adult catechumens are received into full communion with the Church. It’s a time of joy, hope, and anticipation as we await the glorious resurrection.

Here’s a glimpse of what the Easter Vigil entails:

• Blessing of the Easter Fire: An Easter fire is kindled, symbolizing the light of Christ breaking through the darkness.
• Liturgical Readings: The vigil includes readings from the Old Testament, tracing salvation history from creation to the promise of the New Covenant.
• Renewal of Baptismal Promises: The congregation renews their baptismal vows, reaffirming their commitment to Christ.
• First Use of “Alleluia”: After abstaining from saying “Alleluia” during Lent, the Easter Vigil marks its triumphant return. The sound of bells is restored.
• Eucharistic Celebration: The liturgy culminates in the celebration of the Eucharist, commemorating Christ’s sacrifice and victory over death.

The Easter Vigil with its Liturgy is supposed to reflect the Light of Christ bringing life to the Church. Jesus died on Good Friday and rose on Easter Sunday.  If you recall the events of Holy Thursday, after the Mass the altar clothes, candles, and crucifixes are removed.  On Good Friday, we walk into a barren church building.  It looks like a condemned building ready to be demolished.  

Without Christ, the Church is a desolate dark place without any meaning or purpose.  It is a barren wasteland with missing crucifixes, an open tabernacle with no one inside, an extinguished Sanctuary Lamp, and an undressed altar.  These aesthetics were mystically reflected greatly in the Church during the Covid-19 Coronavirus lockdown with empty pews. The Church was dark. The people were gone. Many are still gone today. Mass attendance has dropped further. 

Where are they?  Where is the faith?  The Lent and Holy Week during the lockdown is one to remember. The whole globe was forced to give many things up.  It was no longer a simple choice of abstaining from meat or chocolate or fasting.  Everyone was forced to change their habits.  Everyone was being reminded that we are indeed dust and to dust, we shall return. Covid-19 Coronavirus has led to many deaths due to complications. 

While the flu kills more, this virus seems to be more aggressive. This along with the media distortions and aloof tone of the government had forced many to panic.  No one knew what to believe. On one side you have those masking up and taking precautions and on another, we had people who thought it was all a joke and did the opposite. Then we have someone who exaggerated the precautions instigating conflicts with others just for not wearing a mask or for standing too close to them as well as those who intentionally coughed near people wearing masks or got too close to them on purpose.  On the religious side, some demanded that churches be closed and services shut down while others said there was no reason to do this.  Then there was the debate of whether to receive Communion on the Hand by force or not.  It was mayhem.

Science failed. The government failed. Even religion failed. No one knew what to do.  Medical professionals and government officials were playing a guessing game. Each day they gave contradictory information.  Then vaccines were injected into people without being thoroughly vetted.  Some only had protection up to 6 months as new variants of the virus mutated.  It was just madness what was going on.  The bishops and many others fell into the frenzy as well without ever questioning.

They blindly accepted conclusions that were not based on accurate science. Catholics have demonstrated that they are susceptible to the Milgram experiment where people blindly followed orders to shock another person simply because someone in authority told them to. Their morals, objectivity, and reasons seemed to have vanished.  This is true darkness.  The Church is indeed dark today.  The closing of parishes and suspension of Masses without strong evidence to do this is disturbing. There is no record in the history of contagion spreading via Communion or the Mass. None at all. Despite this, our bishops blindly followed commands from officials.  Even atheists who are fond of the "separation of Church and State" have gone deaf and blind as the State interferes with the Church.  What was going on? Was this the ushering in of the antichrist or the warning of Garabandal?  We cannot know for certain. However, there is indeed something on the cosmic spiritual level going on.  It made no sense to close churches while allowing liquor stores, abortion clinics, and supermarkets to remain open. 

In many areas, the latter attracts more people than Mass!  Yet, the Mass was deemed as not essential and a conduit for disease to spread.   Moreover, we see so many strange things happening in the Church. The push to normalize so-called same-sex unions as equal to that of a male and female union. The pushing of abortion, and birth control over education and healthcare.  The insistence that all adopt the nonsensical ideas of "gender ideology."  The push to limit the criminal justice system in favor of criminals. I can go on and on, but you see the same thing in the world and in your area. The world keeps getting stranger and darker.  By world, I mean societies with their social constructs and systems.  

The Easter Vigil reminds us that without Christ, the Church and the world are nothing.  Christ is the light of the world.  Covid-19 has reminded the man that he is not in charge.  Science is not in charge, government is not in charge.  Not even religion is in charge.  We need Jesus.  We need the light.  The Easter Vigil demonstrates how the light of Christ brings life to the Church. 

The liturgy tonight begins with a dark church building.  The celebrant meets the people outside with a fire. He will bless this fire and prepare the Paschal or Easter candle.  The fire is then used to light the candles symbolizing the Light of Christ.

What is light?  

Physics tells us that it is electromagnetic radiation made up of photons that are detectable by the

human eye as well as the eyes of other organisms. It is composed of many wavelengths, not all of which are capable of being detected and processed by the human eye. The human eye can only detect the spectrum of wavelengths from about 650 nanometers where red is present and about 400 nanometers where violet is detected.

Light is the fastest substance in the universe traveling at 186,282 miles per second. Light presents us with spatial and temporal information about things around us. Matter in the universe absorbs and reflects light waves.  Depending on the charges of particles in an object, light is absorbed and some of it is reflected back allowing our eyes to see the object and its color(s) when the light enters the eye into the cones which process the information in the brain.  Nothing can travel faster or as fast as it. Despite this knowledge of light, we still do not truly understand it. However, light is extremely important for life to truly evolve and progress in nature.

In Scripture, light is mentioned many times.  As a matter of fact, it is first mentioned in the third verse of Genesis chapter 1. God says "Let there be light." Prior to this, the author describes existence as dark and desolate. Darkness is something most of us do not like. When we are in the dark, we get moody, depressed, and sleepy. Our energy drains from our bodies and we feel lethargic especially during wintertime when there is less light.  Psychologists call this "Seasonal Affective Disorder" or "Winter Blues."  This goes to show how powerful light and darkness are.  They affect us in many ways. As the weather warms in spring and we see more daylight, we get cheerful and have a "bounce in our step." Light livens everything up.

Darkness may seem powerful.  It engulfs everything. However, it blinds and creates dangerous scenarios. Despite this, light is so powerful that it stands out even in the darkest area. The stars in the sky shine brightly against the darkness of the universe. These stars are light years away and despite this, their light reaches our eyes here on Earth. The light from our own sun takes 8 minutes to reach us, yet it is powerful enough to warm our planet and illuminate the material that composes it.

The Paschal candle reminds us of light.  Christ is the light.  We all walked in darkness as Isaiah 9:2 says. As I stated before, darkness is dangerous. Without light, we get disoriented and our brain has a difficult time processing spatial information by using stored memories of an environment and sounds. Psychologists call this "Sensory Deprivation" or "Spatial Disorientation."  Most of us have lived in our homes for many years and know it well.  However, this familiarity changes when we try to walk in the dark. We will stumble on things or crash into a wall most of the time.  Our souls when they are in darkness stumble as well (John 11:10).  We do not know where we are at and walk about until we fall into sin.

In today's world full of atheistic existentialism and relativism, we are getting lost in strange philosophies that push God away in favor of man's formulations of morality and his social constructions.  This is the "new god" that is blinding many societies today into rejecting the reality of life in the womb and setting aside the natural complementary union between a man and woman for counterfeit unions (2 Corinthians 4:4).  Jesus, the Light of the World (John 9:5) came into the world to illuminate humanity (John 1:4) and it still rejects this light in preference of the darkness (John 3:19).  The human being is stubborn in this way.  Evil and sin always seem to be "fun" while good and holiness is the pastime of boring people or prudes.  This is the Concupiscence in us driving us to incline towards the bad (CCC 405).

The Easter Vigil reminds us of this.  The church building is dark. We are in the dark without Christ. Despite this immense darkness, the small flame from the Paschal Candles is enough to light the way as we enter the church building.  This small flame allows us to enter without stumbling.  As the people light their candles from the Paschal Candle, the light grows more intense and we begin to see each other's faces more.  The light of Christ restores the image of God in us.  The light we receive must not be hidden, nor should we fall back into darkness for we are children of the light (1 Thessalonians 5:5). 

We must go out into the dark world and illumine it just like each star illumines the night sky despite being small in appearance in contrast of the immense darkness of the universe.  Our Christian lives must be witness to Christ Jesus.  This is why Pope Francis has been centering his Papacy on Christian witness.  The light that we receive from Christ must not be so bright that it blinds others.  Nor should it burn them to the point of scaring them away.  We must be humble and present the light of Christ with love.

Christ is indeed the light that continues to shine even in this dark world.  He has risen!  He is with us and will return at the end of time.  Let us spend our lives on Earth bringing the light of Christ to the world.  We must have faith and not hide.  Jesus is the light of the world.  He is the Lord of death and life.  He defeated death.  Jesus commands the seas and winds, the molecules of water and wine, and the nerves of the blind, crippled, and dead. How can we believe that He has no command over viruses or pandemic events?   This is a lack of faith.  Let us believe truly in the resurrected Christ.  Christ can do all things.  Let us trust in Him and seek his light. 

Palm Sunday Reflection: Embracing the Journey of Faith

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, a time of reflection and anticipation leading up to Easter Sunday. In Year B, the readings for Palm Sunday offer a profound journey through the final moments of Jesus' earthly ministry, his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and the foreshadowing of his Passion.

The liturgy begins with the Procession of Palms, a vivid reenactment of Christ's entry into Jerusalem. The Gospel of Mark (11:1–11) recounts this event, where Jesus is greeted by crowds waving palm branches and proclaiming him as the prophesied king. This moment is both a celebration and a bittersweet prelude to the events that will unfold.

The First Reading from Isaiah (50:4–7) presents the Suffering Servant, a poignant figure of humility and obedience. This passage resonates with the character of Jesus, who, despite facing adversity, remains steadfast and unashamed, trusting in God's help and vindication.

The Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 22) echoes the theme of suffering and abandonment, yet it also carries a message of trust in God. It is a powerful reminder that even in the depths of despair, one is never truly alone; God's presence endures.

The Second Reading from Philippians (2:6–11) offers a theological reflection on Christ's incarnation and his ultimate sacrifice. It speaks of Jesus' humility and exaltation, emphasizing the paradox of his divine nature and human experience.

The Passion narrative, according to Mark (14:1–15:47), is an intense and moving account that invites the faithful to walk alongside Jesus during his trial, suffering, and death. It is a story that compels introspection and calls for a response of faith and discipleship.

Palm Sunday is a day of contrasts: joy and sorrow, celebration and reflection. It invites believers to embrace the full spectrum of the Christian journey, recognizing that the path to resurrection passes through the cross. As the faithful carry their palm branches, they are reminded of the victory that lies beyond suffering, a victory made possible through love and sacrifice. Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday is the last Sunday of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week. Today we remember the Passion of Christ. Jesus entered Jerusalem while the people shouted Hosanna and threw Palm branches in his path.

He is the king, the Messiah, the one the Jews have been expecting for centuries.  As He enters Jerusalem, He is seen as a triumphant King. A king of the Jews.  But was He really Triumphant?  Today's events are forcing many to question this.  The closing of Churches and lack of faith by bishops, priests, deacons, religious, and laity has really scandalized the image of Christ is triumphant.   Are we truly shouting Hosanna from the heart or only when things are "normal" in the world?

Hosanna is an exclamation of supplication in a moment of emotion. The Palms are a sign of victory and joy.  The people celebrated the Triumphant entry of the King of Kings into Jerusalem. Ironically just a few days later these same people will call upon Pilate to crucify Him.

Zechariah 9:9 prophesied this day. The account of the story is read prior to the procession with the Psalms and comes from Matthew 21: 1-11.   In the Catholic Church, red vestments are used to symbolize the blood Jesus would shed as a result of His entry into Jerusalem.  Passover coincides with Palm Sunday this year. We should reflect on this via the eyes of our elder brothers and sisters in the old covenant. 

The first reading during Mass is from Isaiah which is connected to Jesus.  It reflects on how Jesus is a gifted speaker who spreads the Good News, yet offends many.  Because of this, He is beaten, his beard is plucked and He is mocked.  This reading is a foreshadowing of the Passion of Christ. Despite being abused by the people, Jesus returned no insult or attack.  He braved it all for the sake of all.  Today we live in a world where Christ's message is not popular.  Priests, religious, laity, and even our separated Christian brethren face all kinds of hardships just for speaking the name of Christ and what He stands for.  This is very true today when the Church is undergoing a massive trial. Many are questioning the validity of the faith and whether it is even worth believing.  

With bishops closing churches and denying the Sacraments during the pandemic lockdown, why even believe in them?  The government has even threatened the Church and ministers of all persuasions.  We must be strong and not give in to the pressures of the world and preach Christ in season and out of season (2 timothy 4:2). This means even during a pandemic. Like Christ, we must bear it all for the sake of salvation.  It may seem like God has abandoned us and this is why the responsorial Psalm begins with this phrase. This Psalm is another foreshadowing of Christ's passion.  Christ, Himself felt abandoned by the Father.  However, this is not so.  God is there present comforting Him and us as well who struggle today during this pandemic. We cannot truly know why this Covid-18 Coronavirus is happening now and why it is infecting so many people around the world. Doctors may say it is spreading because of close contact, bodily aerosols, or contaminated surfaces. But they have contradicted themselves several times. 

Scientists say the same; some even claim that the virus came from bats, is airborne, or may have been living in humans for decades, and mutated to the point it is now.  But they too have contradicted themselves. Some religious groups are saying this is the end times, a chastisement or a warning from God.  But we cannot know for sure. Lastly, environmentalists, both scientists and armchair ones are claiming that this is Earth attempting to calibrate the disorder man has caused due to global warming and overpopulation.  But again, we cannot know for sure.  Man cannot know it all. His fields of inquiry and technologies have failed.  Perhaps this is a reminder that we are not gods. We are not masters of life or this world and have to focus on the one who is the Master of all.  God has not abandoned us. We have abandoned him.  

The second reading tells us that Jesus is God but is not equal to God. What does this mean?  Does it mean Jesus is some demi-god like Jehovah's Witnesses and other sects claim?  No, not at all!  It simply means that while Jesus is God, He is also a man. His humanity is not equal to His divinity.  He was a man in human appearance with flesh, blood, pain, emotions, and so forth.  He "emptied" Himself of the infiniteness of God to take the form of a limited human being. In other words, Jesus was not this mutant from X-Men, Superman, or a Greek god displaying powers of shapeshifting.  We see movies like Superman, Brightburn, or even the show Superman and Lois which show how the characters Clark Kent or Kal-el and Brandon Bryer discover their powers.  They cannot be cut or hurt.  Jesus was not like this. He was truly man and God.  This was why He was able to die. God died! His human body died. Jesus wanted to be one of us and experience what we experience. This was why He too was tempted by the devil. He felt pain, He got sick, got cramps, got cut, bled, got hungry and thirsty, and so on.  He was one of us in all things except sin. Jesus was obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross we are told. This means that Jesus basically obeyed the laws of physics and nature. He was obedient to them!  This is why before it says that "He humbled Himself." God truly humbled Himself becoming a slave to this universe just like we are all slaves to it. None of us can defy the laws of physics. We are trapped in this "biosphere" called the universe. Because of this, He became our example and was exalted.  This is why at Jesus' name we all bend the knee and confess that He is the Lord.  He is the one the Father sent. This is why when we hear the name Jesus, we should incline our head slightly during the liturgy. It is a sign of reverence. 

Finally, the Gospel tells the account of Jesus' last supper where He instituted the Holy Eucharist.

Christ defined all the true meaning of the Passover meal by breaking bread and sharing wine which are His body, blood, soul, and divinity.  We read how Judas is there present during the meal. He sells out Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.  Judas is the first to leave the first Mass.

How many times do we see people leave Mass early? Perhaps we may have done it ourselves?  We are imitating Judas the betrayer when we leave Mass early.  In doing so, we make whatever we are leaving Mass for more important than Christ.  Granted, there may be emergencies we may have to attend to, but this is where faith comes in.  God will take care of any emergencies for us. Moreover, we continue reading how Christ tells the disciples how they will flee when He is arrested.  Each boldly claims that he will not leave Christ.  How many times have we been vain in thinking that we have total control of faith?  How many times have we thought that we control grace in us?  It is God who sustains our faith and nourishes us with His grace.  We only cooperate by the suspension of our free will to submit to God's will.

Christ then goes to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray.  He cries tears of blood showing the pain and anguish He was going through.  Like in last week's Gospel with Lazarus, we again see Christ's humanity.  He is one of us!  He is the perfect Adam we must imitate.

However, like the disciples, we often fall asleep when we are in His presence.  Instead of praying, we slack off and get distracted to the point of dosing off.  We must avoid this by asking God to teach us how to pray and give us the strength and demeanor to be in His presence to pray even when our human frailness gets in the way.

Lastly, we continue reading how Christ is taken to trial.  The Son of God, God Himself is treated like a criminal.  He is sentenced to be killed by way of Crucifixion.  His crime is love.  Christ came to save all, first to His own people the Jews.  Ironically, it is sometimes our own that betray us.  We must avoid being like the Jews of Christ's time who were with Him, saw His works, and still wanted no part of Christ.  Like the Jews in the desert, they saw His works and still did not want to believe as the first reading of the third week of Lent told us.  Christ is then made to go through a horrible death.  First He is made to carry a heavy cross.  Throughout the way, He is mocked, spat on, hit, and falls down three times for the sins of the past, present, and future.  He dies on the cross and is buried.  God is dead!

Today, this phrase still echoes among societies throughout the world, especially in universities teaching our youth.  Some believe philosopher Nietzsche to have coined the phrase "God is dead," but this has existed way before his own birth. Christ is nailed to the cross and dies.  The people of His time said, "God is dead."

The Son of God who performed miracles and preached the good news dies.  We know that in reality, He is still alive. Man can kill God because God allows it out of love. Today's age of secularism, atheism, and relativism shouts, "God is dead, we have killed Him!" However, God is alive and well.  He rose from the dead showing He is the God of the living and dead.  He is the one who IS; who is dependent on no one for existence.

We must not be like the Jews of the old covenant who saw and still did not believe, nor do we want to be like the Jews in Jesus' times who like their ancestors saw Christ's works yet did not believe as well (Psalm 95:9, Hebrews 3:9). They even proclaimed Him as their king by throwing palms onto His path only to reject Him and call for His execution days later, according to some scholars.  We should not be like them.  We must never lose faith nor let the world silence it.  This is important today now more than ever.  The Covid-19 coronavirus has forced many to question their faith in God.  God seems absent. The closing of Churches and denial of the Sacraments to the faithful has added to this doubt.  We read in Scripture, Tradition, the writing of the saints and heard even from Our Lady in apparitions that God protects, that Mary protects. 

However, how is this true when churches are closed and Masses are suspended due to a mere virus introduction into nature which happens naturally?  Many are seeing this contradiction.  They are also seeing the hypocrisy of saying the Church is a field hospital while shutting out the wounded and abandoning them; not to mention the call for bishops to acquire the scent of the sheep.  How is that done while hiding in rectories and episcopal mansions?  These optics are not good. They demonstrate to the world that God is dead. If the alleged successors of the apostles behave this way, then why even bother to believe?  Why even bother to be Catholic?  

As stated, we must never lose faith nor let the world silence it. Today, this is what is happening. The government was even threatening churches if they did not obey their demands while keeping abortion mills and liquor shops open.  If this is not the spirit of the Antichrist, then I do not know what is.  So as you sit home without being able to attend Mass, meditate on this. Choose your side. Jesus did triumph. Let us truly believe this.  If not, then we are just believing in Spinoza's God who is limited to the laws of physics and processes of nature.  This is not our God.  Our God has power over what He created.  This includes viruses.  Our God can protect us against anything, even viruses.  Our God can set aside the laws of nature and work miracles that defy reason, science, and imagination. 

Faith is key!  Please do not lose it due to the actions of our bishops and priests.  Please do not lose it due to the cowardice of religious and laypeople.  Please do not lose it due to the news of deaths and widespread contagion.  If you believe churches should be closed, Mass suspended and Sacraments denied to the people, then your faith is lukewarm and you do not shout Hosanna today because Christ did not triumph to you.  Trust in God.  Jesus still triumphs! Jesus has triumphed! 

Today we lift up our palms -virtual or imaginary ones- not like those hypocrites in the Gospel reading before Mass, but like those in Revelation 7:9 who see the Lamb of God, hold their palms out to Him in joy and wear clean white robes showing they are made spotless by the blood of Christ shed for all during His Passion.

This Palm Sunday, let us enter into the mystery of Christ's Passion with open hearts, ready to be transformed by the power of his love and the promise of new life.

May Christ teach us how to live and suffer in faith.  Let us shout Hosanna to the King with sincerity and remain with Him through good times and bad times until the end of time comes.    




Readings: Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion | USCCB

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The Pandemic Lockdown and Lent

We all remember the pandemic lockdown on March 11, 2020. It was a surreal time. Never in my lifetime would I have thought to experience such a thing. The errieness of it all. The feel of a "The Walking Dead," "Fear The Walking Dead," or "Day/Dawn of the Dead" zombie apocalypse vibe was in the air.  Seeing the empty streets, and riding empty buses and subway cars was just mindboggling. The skies turning from an off-blue color to a vibrant sky blue with clean air in the Bronx was something unexpected.  

Just the silence in the Bronx, in NYC the "city that never sleeps" is a reflection in itself.  Again, never in my life have I ever experienced this. This change in ambiance scared many people. It literally felt like the end of times or a zombie apocalypse.  However, it also was a spiritual one as well. It aided me a lot in my spiritual and human growth despite Catholic Churches shutting down and all religions shutting down.  Watching Pope Francis' prayer at the Vatican all by himself with the miraculous cross and Our Lord in the Eucharist made many of us think deeply about our faith and why we only truly have God.     

The pandemic lockdown and Lent have created a unique intersection of circumstances, fostering both spiritual growth and challenges. The isolation, fasting, silence, and slowness of days during this time have led many to reflect on their faith and engage in practices that nourish their souls.

Lent, traditionally observed by Christians between Ash Wednesday and Easter, is often associated with repentance, fasting, and abstaining from certain pleasures. However, it's essential to recognize that Lent isn't solely about giving things up; it's also about taking things on. During this 40-day period, congregants reengage with their faith, returning to abandoned spiritual practices or cultivating new ones.

The 2020 pandemic lockdown and Lent have intersected in a unique way, creating an opportunity for spiritual growth. As we navigated Lent during the pandemic lockdown, we found ourselves in a season of prayer, sacrifice, and reflection. The isolation, fasting, and silence that characterize Lent have taken on new dimensions due to the pandemic's impact on our lives. We were all literally forced to be alone like Jesus in the desert. We were forced to set aside our tastes in food by not being able to dine out at restaurants or having limited access to supermarkets.  It was social Lent, if you will.  

In many ways, this Lent felt like Jesus' third fall on the road to Calvary. The weight of the pandemic has been heavy, and we've faced tremendous losses over the past two years. Yet, amidst this struggle, there is hope. COVID-19 cases are dropping in the U.S., and there's a sense of optimism as we approach Easter.

Mary DeTurris Poust, former communications director for the Diocese of Albany, New York, describes this moment as a "perfect storm." Lower coronavirus numbers coincide with Lent's arrival, providing an opportunity for a spiritual reset. It's a chance to recalculate our internal GPS—to reflect on where we're going individually and as communities of faith. For many Catholics, Lent's rituals—the "bells and smells"—are familiar and comforting. This season invites us to pull people back into the fold in meaningful ways.

Jen Sawyer, editor-in-chief of Busted Halo, observes that this is a Lent we're uniquely prepared for. We've sacrificed so much during these past two years, experiencing our own desert journey. Now, with exhaustion setting in, Lent offers new opportunities for peace, community, and faith. It's a time to find solace amidst uncertainty.

Paulist Father Larry Rice, campus chaplain for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, sees Lent as an antidote to the long-term trauma we've collectively endured. As Christians, we believe that our destination isn't Good Friday; it's Easter. This year's Lent carries additional hope—the possibility that by Easter, the pandemic will look different. Still, Father Rice reminds us that there are no guarantees; new coronavirus variants could emerge.

The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the need for spiritual connection. As churches closed their doors and physical gatherings became impossible, people turned to alternative ways to maintain their faith. Here are some ways in which Lent has intersected with the pandemic:

1. Creative Adaptations: Churches worldwide have adapted creatively to minister to their congregations. Drive-through adoration, confession, live-streamed liturgies, and on-demand services have become common. These adaptations allow people to participate while maintaining social distancing.

2. Community Connection: Despite physical isolation, churches have found ways to foster community. Phone trees help check on vulnerable members of the parish, while initiatives like ringing church bells daily serve as reminders that people are not alone.

3. Spiritual Practices: Clergy emphasize two essential spiritual practices during confinement:

   - Spiritual Communion: A simple prayer expressing a deep desire to be in communion with Christ.

   - Perfect Act of Contrition: An examination of conscience, a desire for forgiveness, and an intention to confess when safe.

4. Lenten Challenges: Initiatives like the United Methodist Church’s Lent Photo-a-Day challenge encourage participants to post daily images illustrating themes related to Lent. These glimpses into each other’s lives offer respite from isolation and reinforce a sense of community.

5. Growth in Solitude: For some, the lockdown has transformed isolation into an opportunity for communal solitude. This solitude can be a seedbed for growth in holiness, communion, resistance, and renewal.

6. Reconnecting with Spirituality: Research shows that during crisis periods like the pandemic, people find solace by connecting or reconnecting with their spiritual beliefs and religious practices.

In summary, while the pandemic lockdown has brought challenges, it has also provided an opportunity for deeper spiritual reflection and growth during Lent. Whether through creative adaptations or personal practices, individuals continue to seek connection with God even amidst physical separation. Lent during the pandemic invites us to recalibrate our spiritual compasses—to find healing amidst loss and hope amidst uncertainty. The slowness of these days allows us to explore our faith more intentionally and discover deeper connections with God and one another. 

The lockdown helped to remind us of what we are told on Ash Wednesday. We are dust and to dust we shall return.  In response, we must repent and believe in the Gospel!  So many people died left and right. It felt never-ending. The lockdown reminded us of this and ironically during Lent of 2020.  We are finite creatures. We need to rely on God solely.  We are not in control of nature and its viruses, God is.  The pandemic lockdown and its silence helped us remember that we must stay still, calm down, and pray. 

While some claim they suffered psychologically from isolation, this is only because they lacked religion in their lives. They are mundane people who look to the mundane and not above.  Isolation when done correcting in terms of spirituality is extremely helpful just like in the case of fasting and abstinence.  Anything can cause harm if done incorrectly or if forced upon. That is a given, however, when done for God and correctly it can help the spiritual life immensely.

I may be in the minority to state that we should have "lockdowns" every year or a couple times a year for a good reason: human and spiritual growth.  Many workplaces and schools are allowing mental health days where students or employees take a day or two off to cool down and relax from the stresses of the job and school work.  It has been helpful to many.  Perhaps as a society, we need a lockdown here and there to stop, slow down, and mediate; to remind ourselves that we live for God and ourselves, not the social constructs of school, work, and social gatherings. 

In 2020, many Catholics were saying that "lent was lenting on," and they were correct!  That season of Lent was possibly the second most holy and spiritually nourishing Lent I have ever experienced.     

Let us embrace this unique season with open hearts and minds as we journey toward Easter.

References:

1. American Psychological Association (APA):

   • Researchers and clinicians recognize that religion and belief play an essential role in coping with trauma and distress during difficult times.
   • Positive religious coping methods, such as reframing events through a hopeful lens, fostering a sense of connectedness, and engaging in rituals, can help individuals cope with adversity.
   • Many people turn to their faith during crises, finding comfort and strength through prayer and spiritual practices¹.

2. Statistics Canada:

   • Individual religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer or meditation, have not been significantly affected by the pandemic.
   • While group religious practices faced disruptions, personal spiritual practices remained consistent².

3. Wikipedia:

   • The pandemic led to the cancellation of worship services, Sunday schools, pilgrimages, ceremonies, and festivals across various faiths.
   • However, individual spiritual practices like prayer and meditation continued despite the challenges³.

4. Frontiers in Psychology:

   • A study in the United Arab Emirates found an inverse relationship between positive religious coping and depressive symptoms during the pandemic, especially among Muslim communities⁴.

5. Spirituality for the Contemporary World:

   • More people have connected with churches, mosques, synagogues, and other places of worship during the pandemic.
   • There has been increased interest in spirituality, even among young people⁵.

1apa.org2www150.statcan.gc.ca3en.wikipedia.org4frontiersin.org5scholarblogs.emory.edu

Hochul Proves Covid-19 Was a Scam

Hochul’s Decision to Lift Mask Requirements in September 2022 – A Turning Point in New York’s COVID-19 Response

In September 2022, New York Governor Kathy Hochul made a significant shift in the state’s COVID-19 policy by lifting mask requirements on public transit, correctional facilities, detention centers, and homeless shelters. This decision marked the end of one of the last major pandemic-era restrictions in New York, reflecting a broader trend of easing measures across the country. However, the move sparked a range of reactions, from relief among those eager for normalcy to concern among public health advocates who feared it undermined ongoing efforts to control the virus. Let’s revisit this pivotal moment, the context behind it, and its implications as we reflect from April 2025.

The Context: New York in September 2022

By September 2022, New York had been through the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, having been an early epicenter in 2020 with overwhelmed hospitals and a staggering death toll. Under Governor Andrew Cuomo, the state had implemented strict measures, including mask mandates, lockdowns, and vaccine requirements, which continued into Hochul’s tenure after she assumed office in August 2021. By mid-2022, however, the landscape had changed. The Omicron wave had peaked earlier in the year, and case numbers were on a downward trend, with Hochul noting a “phenomenal trend” in declining hospitalizations during a press conference on September 7, 2022.

The state had already rolled back many restrictions earlier in the year. In February 2022, Hochul lifted the indoor mask mandate for most settings, followed by schools in March, aligning with New York City’s decision to drop its school mandate. However, masks remained mandatory on public transit and in certain congregate settings like shelters and correctional facilities, making New York one of the last states to maintain such requirements after a federal judge struck down the CDC’s nationwide transit mask mandate in April 2022. This persistence frustrated some New Yorkers, who felt the rules were outdated, especially as other states and cities, like Washington D.C.’s Metro system, had already made masks optional.

Public sentiment was mixed. Many subway riders had already stopped wearing masks, as observed in a New York Times article from September 8, 2022, with passengers like Cecily Vlack admitting to forgoing masks even before the mandate was lifted. Others, however, continued to mask up, citing concerns about the virus, air quality, or vulnerable family members. Posts on X at the time reflected this divide, with some users praising the decision as a return to normalcy, while others, like

@BrooklynBCID

, criticized it as “flying in the face of science and plain common sense.”

Hochul’s Announcement: Masks Become Optional

On September 7, 2022, Hochul announced that masks would no longer be required on New York City subways, buses, commuter rail lines, and other public transit systems, as well as in homeless shelters and correctional facilities. The decision, effective immediately, was based on declining COVID-19 cases, updated CDC guidance, and a desire to “restore some normalcy to our lives,” as Hochul stated during a press conference in Harlem. She emphasized that masks would remain mandatory in state-regulated healthcare facilities, such as hospitals and nursing homes, where the risk to vulnerable populations was higher.

Hochul framed the move as a pragmatic step, noting that if people weren’t wearing masks at work or school, it made sense to ease requirements on transit. She also highlighted the availability of new Omicron-specific boosters, receiving one herself during the press event to encourage vaccination. Yellow signs reading “Masks are encouraged but optional” were posted across transit systems, and the New York Taxi & Limousine Commission followed suit, loosening mask rules for cabs and ride-share vehicles like Uber and Lyft.

The announcement was part of a broader effort to lure New Yorkers and visitors back to the city, which had been hit hard by the economic fallout of the pandemic. Hochul’s administration hoped that easing restrictions would boost confidence in public spaces, particularly the subway, which had seen ridership plummet during the height of the crisis. However, the decision came with a caveat: Hochul urged New Yorkers to remain vigilant, get vaccinated, and consider masking in crowded settings, acknowledging that the virus was still a threat.

Reactions: Relief, Concern, and Criticism

The lifting of the mask mandate elicited a spectrum of responses. For many New Yorkers, it was a welcome relief, signaling a return to pre-pandemic life. Subway riders interviewed by Gothamist at Union Square station on September 7, 2022, expressed mixed feelings but noted that enforcement had already been lax, with many passengers ignoring the mandate long before it was lifted. Some, like those quoted in the New York Times, had already made “personal risk assessments,” choosing whether to mask based on their own comfort levels rather than state rules.

Public health advocates, however, were quick to criticize the decision. The Brooklyn Borough Center for Independence of the Disabled (

@BrooklynBCID

on X) issued a statement on September 7, 2022, arguing that Hochul’s move ignored scientific evidence and endangered vulnerable populations. Others, like

@TRyanGregory

on X, suggested a more balanced approach, proposing that Hochul could have encouraged optional masking while recommending high-quality masks like N95s for those who chose to wear them. Disability advocates, in particular, worried about the impact on immunocompromised individuals, a concern that would resurface in 2024 when Hochul proposed a mask ban on subways to address crime, prompting backlash from those who relied on masks for health reasons.

Critics also pointed to the timing of the decision, noting that it came just as schools were reopening and flu season was approaching. Some, like

@Delavegalaw

on X, linked the move to broader public health concerns, citing the reemergence of polio in New York in 2022 as evidence that easing restrictions was “utterly irresponsible.” They argued that Hochul’s decision undermined the importance of masking as a preventive measure, especially in crowded, poorly ventilated spaces like the subway.

Conclusion: A Divisive but Defining Moment

Hochul’s decision to lift mask requirements in September 2022 was a defining moment in New York’s COVID-19 response, reflecting a desire to move forward while grappling with the virus’s lingering presence. For some, it was a necessary step toward normalcy, aligning with declining cases and public fatigue. For others, it was a premature and risky move that prioritized optics over science, leaving vulnerable New Yorkers at risk.

Looking back, the decision underscores the complexity of managing a public health crisis in a diverse, densely populated state. It also highlights the importance of clear communication and trust-building—areas where Hochul’s administration faced criticism, particularly around transparency issues like nursing home death data. As we navigate future challenges, from new variants to other public health threats, the lessons of 2022 remain relevant: balancing normalcy with vigilance requires not just policy shifts, but a commitment to equity, transparency, and empathy for all.

UPDATE: April 2025

Implications and Hindsight: Looking Back from 2025

From the vantage point of April 2025, Hochul’s decision to lift mask requirements in September 2022 can be seen as a turning point in New York’s pandemic response, but one that carried both benefits and risks. On the positive side, the move aligned with a broader societal shift toward normalcy, helping to restore confidence in public spaces. Ridership on the subway gradually increased in the years following, though a 2025 New York Times report noted that the city still faced challenges, including a decline in school-age children and births since the pandemic, reflecting the long-term economic and social impacts of the crisis.

However, the decision also highlighted the challenges of balancing public health with public sentiment. While case numbers were declining in September 2022, the virus remained a threat, as evidenced by later waves and the emergence of new variants. Hochul herself acknowledged this in 2024, warning of a COVID uptick and urging New Yorkers to mask up in crowded spaces, a stark contrast to her 2022 decision to make masks optional. The rise of long COVID, affecting 11% of American adults by mid-2023 according to the CDC, further underscored the ongoing risks, particularly for vulnerable populations who felt abandoned by the easing of mandates.

Hochul’s later policies also complicated the narrative. In 2024, she proposed a mask ban on subways to address crime and antisemitic incidents, a move that drew criticism from disability advocates who argued it endangered those who needed masks for health reasons. This proposal, still under debate as of April 2025, reflects the ongoing tension between public safety and public health—a tension that was already evident in 2022 when she lifted the mask mandate.