Msgr. Pope on Staying Close to the Lord in a Time of Crisis

"The ancient Jews had in their possession the Ark of the Covenant. It was a box of acacia wood, three cubits by two cubits (a cubit was the distance from a man’s elbow to the tip of his middle finger, or about 18 inches). In the Ark were the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, the staff of Aaron, and a jar of the Manna. More important, it carried the presence of God! In some ways it resembles our tabernacles. The wings of the angels carved on its lid were said to form the mercy seat of God. Because the Ark sometimes had to be carried by the priests for long distances in the desert, there were two poles attached to its sides.

"There came a moment with the Ark that seems to speak directly to our times - really to any moment of crisis or decision.

"Early the next morning Joshua got up and left Shittim with all the Israelites. They went as far as the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. After three days the officers went through the camp and commanded the people: 'When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, you are to set out from your positions and follow it . . . so that you can see the way to go, since we have never been this way before' (Joshua 3:1-4).

"The instructions were addressed to a people who faced dangers and threats in this crossing. . . ."

In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on the importance of deep and sincere prayer for our nation and its people as were face a number of simultaneous serious challenges/issues.

To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:

Community in Mission: Staying Close to the Lord in a Time of Crisis (28 SEP 20)