We have all heard and perhaps spoke the phrase "the light at the end of the tunnel" when we have been in some dark and difficult time and we believe it is about to come to an end. I wish we could say that about the Coronavirus at this point, but most would say we can't yet. Nevertheless, it can be a good thing for us to find light that is either present in the midst of the darkness or that we can identify as being a potential blessing after the darkness is over. I would like to address some of these that I see and can identify even as the restrictions due to the Coronavirus continue.
St. Pardre Pio wrote the following to one of his spiritual children back in 1915. "When you are attending Mass and other religious services, be very reverent when you stand up, kneel, and sit. Perform each action with great devotion. Be modest in your gaze, and do not turn your head this way and that to see who is coming or going. Try not to talk to anyone unless charity or a strict need required it."
Given the realities of our wearing masks in church and locating in the pews or in chairs that keep us at least 6 feet apart from one another, Padre Pio's encouragement is much more easily followed than before the Coronavirus appeared in our country (and to those who want and/or need a quiet atmosphere before Mass, it has been a blessing). My hope would be that long after the coronavirus with its restrictions has ended, that we would carry on these "forced habits" not because we "have to do so," but because it would be a good thing for us and those in the church with us.
Two more actions that we have had to adjust to at Mass is not touching one another (except family members) during the Sign of Peace at Mass and during the Lord's Prayer. In the name of consistency and appropriateness, our turning to our neighbor with a gesture of peace like bowing one's head or waving peace to those around us, might in fact be the "way to go" after the Coronavirus is over, especially since there would not be any passing on of germs from shaking others' hands as many of us did before COVID-19. Similarly, if we are now folding our hands during the Lord's Prayer or joining the priest/celebrant in the "orens" position with arms apart and hands raised toward heaven, this might be a good (and healthy) practice to continue for the long-term future.
Just as the new way of selling fruits and vegetables (because of the Coronvirus) proved not only to be a safe and healthier way to continue to offer this service to our parishioners and others from throughout the Village, but seemed good for other reasons (and will probably be done next harvesting season when the Henry family and their helpers return), so in church and in other places new ways of doing some things that have to do with time spent at church and at Mass might need to continue for more than one good reason. I hope we will all be open to that and receive some blessings from an otherwise difficult time.
St. Pardre Pio wrote the following to one of his spiritual children back in 1915. "When you are attending Mass and other religious services, be very reverent when you stand up, kneel, and sit. Perform each action with great devotion. Be modest in your gaze, and do not turn your head this way and that to see who is coming or going. Try not to talk to anyone unless charity or a strict need required it."
Given the realities of our wearing masks in church and locating in the pews or in chairs that keep us at least 6 feet apart from one another, Padre Pio's encouragement is much more easily followed than before the Coronavirus appeared in our country (and to those who want and/or need a quiet atmosphere before Mass, it has been a blessing). My hope would be that long after the coronavirus with its restrictions has ended, that we would carry on these "forced habits" not because we "have to do so," but because it would be a good thing for us and those in the church with us.
Two more actions that we have had to adjust to at Mass is not touching one another (except family members) during the Sign of Peace at Mass and during the Lord's Prayer. In the name of consistency and appropriateness, our turning to our neighbor with a gesture of peace like bowing one's head or waving peace to those around us, might in fact be the "way to go" after the Coronavirus is over, especially since there would not be any passing on of germs from shaking others' hands as many of us did before COVID-19. Similarly, if we are now folding our hands during the Lord's Prayer or joining the priest/celebrant in the "orens" position with arms apart and hands raised toward heaven, this might be a good (and healthy) practice to continue for the long-term future.
Just as the new way of selling fruits and vegetables (because of the Coronvirus) proved not only to be a safe and healthier way to continue to offer this service to our parishioners and others from throughout the Village, but seemed good for other reasons (and will probably be done next harvesting season when the Henry family and their helpers return), so in church and in other places new ways of doing some things that have to do with time spent at church and at Mass might need to continue for more than one good reason. I hope we will all be open to that and receive some blessings from an otherwise difficult time.