Bishop Solis' Holy Week Message

Intermountain Catholic

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Greetings of Christ’s peace and love! Palm Sunday signals the beginning of Holy Week. The Church commemorates the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem to fulfill his mission as God’s promised Savior. This week, we focus our minds and hearts on the greatest mystery of our salvation, and unite ourselves to Christ’s suffering on the cross, where he died for our salvation, and rejoice in the new life in his Resurrection on Easter.

Our diocesan celebration, as in other parts of the world, will be different this year. Pope Francis’ introductory words in his recent Urbi et Orbi, “when evening had come,” describes a grim picture of our world. The darkness of sickness and death brought by the coronavirus pandemic continues to create havoc around us. Given the disruptions and burdens placed on all of us, our Church will continue to respond pastorally to serve the spiritual needs of our faithful during this holy time of the year.

Pope Francis reminded us “that like Christ’s disciples, we were caught off guard by an unexpected turbulent storm. Together on the same boat, we all felt fragile, disoriented and perishing. But at the same time, it is important and needed that we row together, each of us comforting each other, realizing that we cannot just think of ourselves.” (Urbi et Orbi)

For the safety and well-being of everyone, in the spirit of charity and respect for the life, especially of the sick and the most vulnerable, our priests will celebrate the Holy Mass and other forms of worship in our parishes privately, without the usual congregation. I encourage all our priests to continue to offer the Mass for our community livestreamed through social media platforms, so that the faithful can participate in real time in their home and with their family. We may not gather as a faith community physically, but our Lord manifests his loving presence in many mysterious ways and unites us spiritually.

Under these extraordinary circumstances, “we need the Lord like ancient navigators needed the star. Our Lord calls us to faith and trust in Him because we are not self-sufficient, and by ourselves we flounder. Let us invite Jesus into the boats of our lives and hand over our fears to him so that he can conquer them and bring us calm.” (Urbi et Orbi)  

Therefore, let us immerse ourselves in Christ’s death and resurrection, and offer our sacrifices to God to end the destructive effects of this infectious disease. We need to remain strong and hopeful in the midst of our sufferings – the loss of many lives and jobs, as well as the burden of isolation, loneliness and the fear of uncertainties this crisis brings – because Christ is with us!

The holy days ahead are filled with hope. God, who is bigger than our fear and worries, will never abandon us. “In the midst of our tempest, He invites us to reawaken and put into practice that solidarity and hope capable of giving strength, support and meaning to these challenging times. We have an anchor: by his cross we have been saved. We have a rudder: by his cross we have been redeemed. We have a hope: by his cross we have been healed and embraced so that nothing and no one can separate us from his redeeming love.” (Urbi et Orbi)

May this Holy Week awaken our faith and revive our hope that God may bless us with the newness of life Easter brings.

The Most Rev. Oscar A. Solis

Bishop of Salt Lake City