What a Gift

What a beautiful day.  The day we celebrate the institution of the priesthood and the Holy Eucharist.  For the Cathedral, this is one of the busiest days of the year.  But not today. There is an eerie silence and quiet that I have never experienced.  Sadly, I have seen the responses of some who have decried the response of the Church in these extraordinary and unique times. What they miss is the bravery of our bishops and clergy in recognizing the serious nature of the pandemic and the responsibility we each share in not becoming the risk that brings serious harm and even death to those we serve.  Some have callously continued forward with little regard to the impact they might have on those we serve. Most of us know differently. Out of an authentic charity, we must be concerned with all that science and health teaches us. We cannot be the harbingers of disease, destruction and death to those whom seek the grace of the sacraments. This is for a short time.  As responsible citizens we do all that we can to follow the restrictions of our government for the good of all around us.  The Church is acting responsibly in closing down for a period of time so that lives can be protected and saved. Each and every priest is offering Mass every day for the good of the faithful and the Church.  What a blessing.   What a grace.  And there are blessings here. What so many people take for granted and receive so regularly now become more precious, treasured gifts in our lives moving forward.

It is easy to criticize and to judge.  But there have always been times in history when the Church has been asked to do what is for the best interest of the faithful.  This is painful for all us - bishops, priests, and the faithful.  As a priest, I long and yearn  each and every day for the opportunity to celebrate Mass, to administer the sacraments, to preach the Word, and to serve the faithful in the ways that we normally do. But I am also keenly aware that my ministry may bring harm and destruction to the lives of the faithful with whom I come in contact. I am deeply grateful for this pause, this time of restriction from what is normal and ordinary.  God will always provide the grace we need.   He is as close to us as He can ever be.  Let us come together in spiritual communion - with our Savior, with the Church, with all our brothers and sisters in Christ.  These are not days that call us to be divisive and critical of the Church.  These are days that invite us to recognize the unique situation we find ourselves in and the call to build up the Body of Christ - by our prayers, by our charity, by our solidarity and communion with the Church.

Tonight we celebrate the institution of the Holy Eucharist, the Sacrament of Charity and Unity, the gift of the real presence of Jesus for our nourishment.  I celebrate Mass today for the faithful entrusted to my care - as I do every day.  That Mass is efficacious and grace-filled for every single soul whether or not they can attend Mass or receive the Eucharist. That is the gift we celebrate as Catholics, the gift that matters and lasts.  What a blessing, what a grace.  What a glorious day this is for the Church.