For those who had imagined that merely ringing in the new year might bring a swift end to the nightmarish events of 2020, the eruption of violence at our nation’s Capitol burst that bubble.
So many things are out of rhythm this year. The pandemic has upset our customary points of reference. The school year, our work environment, sports seasons, travel and holidays are all up for grabs.
This week, we will observe Thanksgiving. It is perhaps the most distinctly American of our national holidays. Normally Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the “holiday season.”
“Are there any who are sick among you? Let them send for the priests of the Church, and let the priests pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.”
In less than a month, Americans will go to the polls to elect local, state and national leaders, including our president and vice president. This will be a consequential election no matter the outcome. There is much at stake.
In the First Letter of Saint Peter, the author admonishes us in these words, “Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith” (1 Pt 5:8-9).
In this issue of the Sooner Catholic, you will read several encouraging stories from clients of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City who sought assistance and found compassion in their times of need.
In the Gospel, Jesus invites us to “Come away … and rest awhile” (Mk.6:31). This is normally a good summertime theme since this is the season that many of us look forward to a change of pace in our busy lives.
WASHINGTON – Seven U.S. bishop chairmen of committees within the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have issued a statement in the wake of the death of Mr. George Floyd and the protests which have broken out in Minneapolis and in other cities in the United States.
The drama and the tension that we have been living with since COVID-19 began to disrupt life as we know it in the United States (and beyond) means that for some of us this day is long overdue while for others it still seems premature.
“Something strange is happening – there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep.”