Social Distancing-An Unexpected Teacher

In the beginning of Covid 19, there was social distancing...and it was good. Yes, all the noise, traffic, and the ever-stressful-time-crunched-never-enough-hours-in-a-day routine that describes the typical American life (pause for effect) came to a stop. What to do?! Gardens! Crafts! Binge watch your favorite shows! Sleep in! It’s all good!

Eighty plus days later...not so much. In fact, protests are springing up all over the country against lock downs. I cannot help but wonder if the protests are not so much against something, but for something. True, the longer we “Shelter in Place”, the harder it becomes. But why? Whether we
stay home alone or with loved ones, the need to “go out” grows stronger. To be with others, work along side others, recreate with others, pray with others. Whether it is the love between two people or the love amongst a family—love does not draw in on itself, but rather, love calls us out of ourselves to others.

We are a people of communion, meant to live in relationship with one another that begins in a family community. As we move through life, we become a part of bigger communities that include friends, co-workers, parish families, cities, states, countries. Sharing our lives throughout our lives-giving and receiving from one another. And when all of that is put to a stop, a stop that goes on and on—we feel the deprivation and isolation of not being with one another. We hunger for relationship, human contact.
ALERT: Red Pill Moment! This is how God created us! We need each other...to love and be loved, to grow, to challenge, to bring the best out of us. To laugh, cry, encourage, surprise, and pray with one another. Like the Trinity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Who is in constant giving and receiving, so you and I are created to be!

Before lock downs, so much was taken for granted. Visits with loved ones, our favorite places, sharing a meal at a favorite restaurant, the sounds of people around you living and engaging in life. And finally, walking through the sacred space of a church, signing oneself with holy water, forming the posture of reverence of a genuflection before the tabernacle, hearing the Word of God proclaimed, kneeling and absorbing the most powerful words ever spoken that calls Christ down transforming bread and wine into His very Body and Blood. The sacred Event of the priest offering the Holy Sacrifice on behalf of you and me...and receiving this Holy Communion into our bodies, transforming us, uniting us with our Savior, our God.

We have missed much. Lock downs as we know them, will eventually end. And maybe after all of this is over, we could take this unique opportunity to begin again. Why not? Start fresh—gain a new or clearer perspective on this gift of life we have been given. Let’s appreciate the sun on our face, the grass under our feet, the gift of friendships and family. The blessings that come from work and play. The merciful and graciousness of the sacraments of the Church—like confession, that cleanses the soul and renews hope! It has been at least sixty days since we have gathered in the House of God, but whether it be sixty days or sixty years—we can always come back home as brothers and sisters in Christ and begin again!

United In His Mercy,

Sr. M. Juliana

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