I mean it this time, darn it.  No more slacking off.  Well, there might be some slacking off.  But for today, at least, I offer you this.  (I’ll warn you, it’s about 20 minutes long.)

No, I wasn’t really on vacation…where could I go, anyway? Everything’s shut down…

But I basically took all of last week off, because I generally try to do as little as possible during the Octave of Easter.  Normally it’s to recover from all the craziness and business of Holy Week and the last days of Lent…and I suppose this year was no different.  For sure, it wasn’t physically exhausting…but it was emotionally exhausting.

Anyway, come tomorrow morning, I’ll be back at it, and you can watch.  I’m the main celebrant and homilist for our grouping’s livestreamed Mass.  Check out our YouTube channel at 10:00 AM on Sunday.

Two images to consider while (whilst?) I talk at you today… the first is this:

And the second is this:

Enjoy.

So the original post this morning was intended to be a video, and not just the usual audio recording.  Turns out this may not be the best platform for video, because once again I had a lot of trouble uploading it…and when I did, it didn’t render properly and no one was actually able to view it.

It wasn’t much of a video; just me, sitting at my desk, talking a little bit about the Chrism Mass, which ordinarily would have happened this morning, and has been delayed indefinitely.

The highlight of the Chrism Mass, at least for me, is the renewal of our priestly promises.  And while we will eventually do that, whenever we get to gather, I wanted to renew them today anyway, for two reasons.  The first is that I needed a spiritual shot in the arm.  I’m not kidding when I say this Holy Week has been incredibly difficult.  The second is that I hope it would bring some consolation to others; that it would serve as reassurance that all your priests, wherever you are and whoever they are, are still deeply committed to you and to the Church.

And so, while this perhaps doesn’t have the impact that it would had it been on video…

I, Reverend Michael Patrick Conway, am resolved to renew in communion with my Bishop and God’s holy people, the promises I once made. I am resolved to be more united with the Lord Jesus and more closely conformed to him, denying myself and confirming those promises about sacred duties towards Christ’s Church which, prompted by love of him, I willingly and joyfully pledged on the day of my priestly ordination.

I am resolved to be a faithful steward of the mysteries of God in the Holy Eucharist and the other liturgical rites and to discharge faithfully the sacred office of teaching, following Christ the Head and Shepherd, not seeking any gain, but moved only by zeal for souls.

May the Lord keep us all in his charity, and lead all of us, shepherds and flock, to eternal life.

Amen.

*text adapted from the Roman Missal

I present to you today’s recording, in which I not only reflect on today’s (and yesterday’s) Gospel, but also somehow decide to build a recording studio in my rectory.  (I don’t think I was serious, but you never know what crazy stunts I’ll pull…)

Ok, so I’m a little late today…Mondays, right?  (Actually, I used to love Mondays at work.  I am aware I am strange.)  Here’s a short take on today’s Gospel.

Today, I triumphantly return to the internet.

It pales in comparison to Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

I’m very ok with that.

Not so much a reflection as it is a rant.  I probably shouldn’t even post this, and maybe I’ll delete it later after I think about it some more, but for the time being, here it is…

Everything seems to be working this morning, so I should be more-or-less on time with today’s post.  I wouldn’t say today’s first reading is my favorite reading from Scripture (it would be kind of an odd choice), but I do kind of enjoy it.  So here’s a bit of a reflection based on it.

Readings are here.