Freedom from Quarantine

Our 14 days of quarantine are over.   Easter Sunday!  What a day to celebrate the self-imposed isolation from having come in contact with a person testing positive for the Coronavirus.  This is for all of  us a brand new experience.  What we do not know far outweighs what we do understand.  Most of us willingly embrace the restrictions put into place - by our government leaders, health care professionals and the Church.  We do so not only for our own safety and well-being but more importantly for the welfare of others.  None of us would want to put others at risk of sickness and even death but our lack of charity.  There is no greater gift a man can give than to lay down his life for his friends.  These are words spoken by Jesus to his disciples and to all who desire to follow him.  We remember this restriction of our freedoms is for a short time, our obedience required and given out of love for others and greater good.

For me these last few weeks have not been easy.  Certainly there were consolations.  The ability to spend even more time prayer; the joy of celebrating Mass privately each day; the normal frantic pace of life lessened considerably; no more constant interruptions; there was time to cook, to clean and to get around to some of the tasks that have been on my "to do" list for quite a long time.  But these weeks also brought about a new and deeper awareness of the things we can so often take for granted.  The loss of human personal contact with parishioners, with our staff members, even with family and friends was difficult.  It has seemed like an eternity and yet I know there is a keener appreciation for the gift of others and how precious so many people are to my life.  These days brought on the knowledge of how fleeting our self-dependence can be, especially in times of need.  What a gift that so many sent prayers, greetings, dropped of meals and even did some grocery shopping for me.  These days speak powerfully to how our lives are so inter-connected and how much we really need each other and can all too easily lack the gratitude and appreciation we should always have in our hearts.  Thanks to everyone who showed so much compassion, love, concern and friendship.  

Even more difficult to face each day was the worry about all the others who may have been in danger. I prayed daily for Father Potter and his quick recovery.  And I worried and prayed for all the members of the clergy team, the Cathedral staff, and others who may have come into contact with the virus and were now deeply concerned for the safety of themselves and their loved ones.  I could hear it in the voices on the phone; I feel it in the words of  their texts and emails.  We were all anxious and fearful. It is true that the waiting and worrying bring you closer to the recognition of the fragility of human life, how things can change so quickly and without warning, and how what we do can  affect the lives of others around us so easily.  But it seemed at those moments, God spoke to my heart.  Have no fear; I am with you always.  Perhaps in these times, as so often is the case, the blessing is that people recognize that God is in charge of everything; that we are completely dependent on his grace.  We all know that in times of crisis and difficult, so many people turn to God and their faith.  We can only hope that our drawing closer to the Lord will have long-lasting effects. That our faith will be strengthened and renewed; that more people will realize that nothing in live matters in the end if we don't really put our faith and trust in  God.  He is the only way to eternal salvation.

I spent my last day in quarantine yesterday celebrating the gift of life and faith.  I made my mother's pierogies - something we always did together on Good Friday.  I colored Easter eggs - such a joyful reminder of the beauty of God's presence in our world and in our lives.   I got the Easter ham ready to bake on Easter Sunday.  I am saddened that our family will not gather today physically for Easter dinner - it is better for all of us to remain in place our of our shared concern for the safety of everyone.  But I also know that these trials are just for a time, a very short time, in the big picture of life and our ultimate goal of gaining heaven.  But I know, without a doubt, that these past 14 days have brought me closer to God, stronger in my faith, and ever more grateful for the gift of so many people in my life.  Not a bad use of time at all.

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