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April 21, 2020 - Jesus, I Miss you!
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I don't know about you but the words of Jesus from the cross still ring loudly in my ears, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" In this challenging, difficult and tragic time riddled with suffering, sickness, economic turmoil and social distancing can lead us to feel abandoned by God. Why is this happening...Why does God let this happen...Don't you care God?
We are suffering and we seek consolation. More agonizing than this physical suffering is the spiritual suffering that we are facing as well. In a time when our human efforts fail to bring little to no hope, we naturally and more ardently turn to God for consolation and hope. As Catholics we rely more intently on the sacraments - especially the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Yet, we are even suffering isolation from the Eucharist. Why?
Your angst is understandable and not without notice. You might also be thinking well, Father, with all due respect, you don't really have the same struggle...you are still receiving the Eucharist and celebrating Mass daily! And, yes, you are right and justified in this claim. My suffering as a priest is not the same as yours, and thus I cannot and will not say, I know how you feel. So first and foremost, to all who are suffering from the deprivation of the sacraments I am deeply sorry and please know you are remembered daily in my prayers. Yet, we your priests, are also suffering, though differently, but truly from a similar deprivation. We are both not receiving the fullness of the Body of Christ.
Confused? Maybe you are thinking, "Father, what are you talking about?" We see you receive the Body of Christ in the Eucharist! Yes, we are blessed to be with Jesus in the Eucharist and to receive Him. Yet we are deprived of you - the Body of Christ we are called to serve; the people we have dedicated our lives to serve and to serve primarily by bringing you the sacraments, especially the Eucharist! Yes, we offer the Mass and we offer it for all of you, the people of God. The Mass is primarily a sacrifice, the sacrifice of Jesus for the salvation of the world! As priests we are suffering from the inability at this time to fulfill the mission we have, which is to console you in your suffering through the gift of the sacraments.
We are given the title, father, because you the people of our parish, for me the people of St. Mark, are truly our family - our spiritual children. At this time we are unable to provide the fullness of care to which you rightly have claim. Like any loving parent there is suffering and angst in this. We, as you, long for this fullness of joy through the reception of the sacraments to be restored. We pray daily for this pandemic to end, and that soon we can begin the process of opening the doors of the church to you all!
In the meantime let's not forget the fullness of the words Jesus proclaimed on the cross, "My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?" These are the opening words of Psalm 22 which are a psalm declaring the the victory of a just man trusting in the providence of a loving Father, Our Heavenly Father. So do not lose hope! He brings justice, life and peace to the suffering servant of Psalm 22. God Our Father hears us in our suffering and in our cry for help. He will respond. He will bring peace, joy and feedom from this suffering, sickness and death. He will restore us to life once again soon, through the fullness of the sacraments, to prepare us for eternal salvation and Heavenly glory.