Homily

One good thing that can be helpful to us as we go through this virus time is taking the opportunity to reflect a bit more on our lives and how we are living them in this new situation that has affected all of us. We can’t do everything the way we used to do everything. For me it has been a small reminder of what an easy and comfortable life I live, even when compared to my parents and even more so than my grandparents. But it is also a most easy and comfortable life compared to the vast majority of people living in this world today. I think it’s easy for us to forget that, and to lean toward the belief that we deserve our comfortable lives, and to think this is how human beings are supposed to live. Most of us grew up in comfortable lives.

And then I think of how many times we mumble and grumble, or let ourselves be irritated by even small inconveniences; inconveniences that most people in the world would never even have a chance to experience. “Can you believe I had to wait in line for ten minutes to get my Mocha Frappe Latte Grande? I bet that doesn’t happen in Nicaragua!”

If you did not read my email about wearing masks, I suggested that if we are going to wear them, as uncomfortable as they are, let us wear them in a spirit of penance for our sins, and for the sins of the world. If we must, in certain places wear a face covering, let us do it, but not just because we must do it, let us also say, “Lord, please accept this small sacrifice in reparation for my sins and for the sins of the world.” An act of penance doesn’t have to be something that we choose on our own. It can also be the offering of a sacrifice we are required to make, but dedicating that sacrifice to the Lord. St. Paul in Colossians tells us that his sufferings, most of which he did not choose for himself, help to make up for what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ. We can do the same thing in offering even our small sacrifices as reparation for our sins.

We see these days so many people following articles about Covid-19 and following the numbers of cases or the next prophecy of doom from the media. And every so often Dr. Fauci gives us the solemn pronouncement of the day. And in all this where do you see any recognition of Almighty God, or even of people who believe in God? About the closest we get to that is when there is a mention of people who were infected attending a church service, but we never hear about people are IN church because they are praying…even praying for God to spare the sick and to end the plague. More sadly I have read statements from some bishops that sound like they were inspired more by the Department of Health than by the Word of God. And I say that not because we should not pay attention to scientific evidence. I say that because we must now and always live by the Word of God and our faith in Christ in the first place, and then we can turn our attention to what science has to say.

Even these face coverings can be a way to remind ourselves that God is the Lord. So I suggest that we get into the habit of using them to do just that. When we put them on, “Lord, please accept my small sacrifice and thank you for pardoning my sins.” And could we then take just a moment to pray for those who are ill, perhaps by praying the Lord’s Prayer or even just a simply request in our own words for those who are suffering. As long as we must wear them, let us wear them not just as a means to fight physical illness, but as a reminder to love God with our whole heart, and with our soul, and with our whole strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves, for the love of Christ.