What’s in Your Barrel?: Weekly Message for 04-14-2020

Dear Fellow Digital Pilgrim, Pax Christi:

If a barrel is full of vinegar, it can’t be filled with honey until the vinegar is emptied out.  As we begin this unique Easter Season, it may be useful to ask ourselves two questions about the “barrel” that is our soul.

First, what is in the barrel now?  

What has been accumulating in my soul during these recent weeks in which the world and the Church have been impacted so profoundly in unforeseen ways?  Hope, fear, confusion, resentment, anger, gratitude, peace?… We need to identify whatever has come into our soul over these weeks so that we can have a real conversation with the Lord about it and ask him what he thinks of it.

Second, what does God want to pour into that barrel, and what needs to be poured out to make room for receiving it?

Easter is the season of joy par excellence.  And the truth that produces Easter joy hasn’t been changed or dimmed or ruined by the immense problems we have been experiencing, along with the suffering those problems has caused.  The truth that God’s love and providence, that his redeeming power is stronger even than death is more relevant now than ever.  

Easter Joy: Really!

In times when our human fragility and vulnerability are so dramatically unmasked, we have a choice about how to react. It is our hope and prayer to help each of our fellow pilgrims react with renewed and strengthened faith, hope, and love. 

To that end, I want to recommend that you take some time during the Easter Season to let the truth of the Resurrection seep more deeply into your soul.  We have six complete, Do-It-Yourself Retreat Guides that were designed to help us pray and reflect on the various truths the Easter liturgical season brings to light – to help them penetrate our minds and hearts so that we can shine with the light of true Christian joy even in the midst of this fallen world.  You can browse all six HERE.

Before closing, I want to thank all of our digital pilgrims and digital missionaries who have accompanied us throughout the years.  Your consistent support gradually led to the creation of our library of high-quality resources, which is a true godsend for thousands of people during these difficult days.  Thank you.

In Him,

Fr John Bartunek, LC, SThD