FROM THE DESK OF THE VICAR

February 26, 2021

My dear friends,

Some of you might have heard about the recent tragic event at the headquarters of Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services at the Randolph Carter Family and Learning Center in Seattle. A “distraught individual” entered and “threatened the life of a staff member before taking his own life.” Fortunately, all the staff were unharmed and able to exit the building safely.

In the letter to Catholics of the Archdiocese of Seattle, Archbishop Etienne has said, “Events like this remind us of the stress and pain that unrelenting poverty can bring. Events like this remind us of the real suffering and frustration that coincide with untreated health conditions. Events like this remind us of the desperation and hopelessness people feel before taking their own lives – a tragic trend that is exacerbated by the pressure of the COVID-19 epidemic.”

All of us have suffered from COVID-19 to a certain degree. Some of us have lost loved ones due to Coronavirus. Some have been in lockdown for several months, especially the elderly. Some were unable to meet family members in-person and some have lost work. There are many other situations. as well. Only you can tell how much COVID-19 has affected your life.

Last week, Fr. Johnson quoted Pope Francis’ Lenten Reflection that calls Catholics to “return to the Lord” by embracing this year’s Lenten journey. This week’s Gospel reading tells of Peter, James and John coming to the mountain with the Lord, where Jesus was transfigured before them. This Transfiguration event illuminates the Lord’s glorified body. The disciples see and believe in Jesus as the Christ. Most of us believe in our Lord Jesus as the Christ of God in our faith and our love for God. We recognize the Lord’s presence in the Eucharist. Even though we may not have the privilege to witness the Lord’s glorified body with our own eyes, we have something God treasures more than eyewitnesses such as the Pharisees and Scribes, who saw the Lord but did not recognize him, had.

In our stress and anxiety during COVID-19, we can come to visit the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Peter wanted to build three tents: one for the Lord, one for Moses and one for Elijah. The “tent” of the Lord has been built and waits for us to enter and spend time with him. The disciples were shocked to look at Jesus on the Cross, and their faith was tested until they saw him risen from the dead. Our faith has also been tested through many trials, especially COVID-19. The Lord said to his disciples, “I will be with you to the end of the age.” The Lord is also present with us here and now; what we need to do is withdrawing from our busy life to be with the Lord in his “tent.”

Let us pray for each other that each of us experience the Lord’s presence in our lives and so that our faith is strengthened and stress and anxiety lessened.

Your vicar,

Fr. Anh Tran

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Every Friday after Mass, we have Benediction followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (from 9:30 AM to noon).