The columns I write for The Message seldom, if ever, deal with items that are currently in the news. This is for two reasons: One, because I typically write them a couple months ahead of their publishing date; and two, commentary on current topics is not the point.
I write these columns to share ideas and stories about stewardship. My focus is on the enduring concepts and ideas of living our lives entirely in service to God.
The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has brought something front-and-center that prompts me to make an exception to my rule.
I often read Catholic blogs that I find very helpful and stimulating. The writers tend to be faithful, well-catechized Catholics who sometimes have opinions divergent from mine. I am of the belief that it is helpful to hear voices other than those that only agree with me. Recently, I have seen an increase in volume of influential voices criticizing bishops across the U.S. for suspending Masses and sacraments in light of the national health crisis.
The argument generally goes like this: Who do they – the Bishops – think they are? The holy sacrifice of the Mass is far more important than the health of parishioners. If we want to take the risk of attending Mass, we should be allowed to do so. The sacraments should be available regardless of the situation. There have been plagues and pandemics in the past, and Masses have never been suspended. Ad infinitum.
People are entitled to their opinions, and they can disagree with the bishops. Bishops are human, fallible and subject to the same temptations that present themselves to all of us. Often they are subject to more and greater temptations than most of us, but that’s for another day.
I have worked for and conversed with many bishops. When first entering diocesan ministry, I believed that bishops were, by and large, cut from the same cloth. I was so very wrong, discovering that they are vastly different from each other, just like everyone else. They do, however, have things in common.
Such as their love for Jesus, for Mary, for the Mass, for the sacraments and for the people of God in their arch/dioceses. Because of this love, the decision to suspend Mass and the Sacraments was one of immense heartbreak and internal turmoil. This was likely the most difficult decision many bishops have made, and they knew they would be in line for withering criticism.
They made these decisions because it was right to do so. As successors to the Apostles, we should accept that a decision so grave as the suspension of Mass was made through careful consultation with clergy and staff, and with fervent prayer for wisdom. I have no doubt whatsoever that was, in fact, the case.
A great gift given to us by God is that of relationships with His people in our parishes and our diocese. By insisting that Mass be held regardless of the very real threat to the health, perhaps lives, of those in attendance, we are not acting as stewards of His gifts. Celebrating Mass in public endangers everyone involved, including the organist, the lector, the cantor, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, ushers, altar servers, every person in the pews and the priest.
The absence of Mass has left a hole in my heart. I weep over its loss, and I will continue to do so until we can join with each other once again. Until then, we watch live streams on Facebook and make an act of spiritual communion.
Our bishops have been handed a very difficult problem, and they made courageous decisions. As we all pray for an end to this pandemic, please don’t forget to pray for our bishops as well.