Unlocked and Waiting

A few months ago due to massive health emergency brought about by this global pandemic, which all of us were caught off guard, ill-prepared and dumbfounded because of its magnitude, our Church authorities and leaders responded quickly to the precautionary measures imposed by the government and civil societies for the protection and welfare of everyone. Though it was a gradual transition and implementation, we managed to cope with the demands of health authorities to ease the tension, confusion, and possible havoc that this contagion would bring, and we ran our Churches and religious activities to conform with the “new normal.” The aid of virtual Church services has been maximized without losing their value or compromising the sanctity of our sacraments especially the Eucharist; doing Confession through social distancing mode, some priests administering the last rite in the hospices and hospitals while wearing face masks, pastors even non-Catholics, were able to perform their ministerial duties in a limited and controlled setting inside and outside their church buildings. Some even were outrightly violating the prescriptions of the local ordinances and being charged as crimes towards the public and government.

I could sense with utter dismay and valid sentiments of frustrations, disgust, confusion, impatience, and even anger of our Churchgoers who regularly visit and attend the Masses in their parishes or shrines. For their love of the Church and the Eucharist, in particular, this is not an option. Our spiritual life becomes a subordinate to our temporal life. Prioritizing our physical health and preservation first and followed by our spiritual well-being. Even those who are not actively exercising their religious beliefs could attest to this disruptions because while staying at home, there must be a family member who complains, is sad and anxious why he or she is banned to enter even momentarily the Church which is considered as well as a safe haven of comfort, of prayer and shelter for the spiritually sick or troubled.

For us Christians, no doubt we consider the Churches as essential to our spiritual well-being; the Eucharist is the source and summit of our Christian life defined in the CCC. Are not the ministers including the bishops, priests and lay leaders too considered the first line of defense or “front-liners” when spiritual battles erupt and when people are seeking refuge and safety under the protection of the Church? It will be a huge sacrifice to make despite valid health restrictions, which by the way, we could prudently manage them inside and outside the Church; to encourage our faithful to follow at least the minimum preventive measures namely, wearing of face masks, to install hand sanitizer dispensers, our gentle old ladies and gentlemen if they are well, a young member of the household will accompany them and to make sure they are not put at risk. We can follow even extremely practicing the social distancing inside the Church even with fixed limits.

However, while other places: stores, offices, factories have no limits, the Churches are limited to a determined number of people while her spaces vary. It is just a matter of clarity and practicality of the guidelines that suit the needs of the faithful. Is this an unfair, unreasonable and discriminatory treatment by the law enforcers to restrict a public domain like the Church grounds and the building itself to be closed while other “essential” businesses, entertainment hubs, bars, food industries, parks and beaches, even the programmed opening of casinos are considerably allowed to cater for the general public? By the way, who defines the inclusion of essentials and non-essentials? Is this the sole encompassing responsibility of the government to assess, declare, and impose to safeguard the health requirements without the Church’s participation and coordination?

As I am writing these observations, I remembered the resourcefulness and creativity of some of my priest friends here and abroad who shared to me their sentiments, plans of action, some directives from their bishops with regard to liturgical norms for this sudden change, and some friends who are asking about the right and the best time to re-open the Church. And time and day no one knows, and it depends entirely on each country, state, province, and city because each one has different approaches, strategies, and stages on how to manage their jurisdiction. One of these pro-active innovations is bringing the Blessed Sacrament and exposing it to the people for adoration in the parish grounds. Another, they are open to receive calls for counseling and spiritual direction amongst their parishioners. A priest even initiates a fund-raising campaign for charities to the homeless and supplements the other sources of income by selling delicacies. Knowing that their funds are strained and depleted to the point that they pleaded to the parishioners for help. Many churches and dioceses decided to reduce their personnel. Furthermore, many of them would say it will take months for their dioceses to open. It all depends on the government’s decision. We know many of us have gone above and beyond what the government is trying to impose for the good of the public to ease or curb the gravity of the crisis. We try to cooperate unconditionally at all costs. However, not all are taking this matter seriously. Many join protests claiming their constitutional rights in defiance to their government demands. They are losing their jobs, children are in their homes cannot be sustained by their parents who play as their instant teachers, domestic abuses become apparent, car accidents become common, many file for unemployment, and other related consequences due to this pandemic.

I truly believe this time is one of the most challenging, revealing, and defining moment of our Christian identity and conviction. It could bring out the best or the worse in each one. Best, because we are called to deepen our faith and to be witnesses of Christ, His never-ending grace and mercy in the midst of this dark hour. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV).

How do we behave or conduct our lives when we are facing this ordeal, unfathomable anxiety, depressing and disturbing news, even the images of sufferings and deaths caused by this invisible enemy and not to mention the lack of resources, medical needs, and other basic necessities? These times could also dampen our spirit to seclusion and indifference. We could become discouraged and even inflict harm to ourselves, family, and friends. The worse thing is, we will resort to severe depression and even think of giving up and eventually lose our faith. It truly brings chaos, fears, pains, and sorrows beyond our comprehension.

Psalm 121:7-8 (NIV) says:
The Lord will keep you from all harm -
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

One medical agent even said: there will many doctors and nurses in heaven. By the way, since time immemorial, the monasteries started the hospitals and clinics. The Church has been at the forefront during the global crisis. We salute the Christian doctors and nurses in particular who even sacrificed their very lives, families, and even careers and put their lives at risk or harm’s way.

American sociologist Rodney Stark, the author of The Rise of Christianity (1996), explains how in the first centuries of the Christian era the behavior of Christians during epidemics was decisive: they didn’t flee the cities like the pagans and didn’t run away from other people, but motivated by faith, they visited and supported each other, prayed together, and buried the dead. The witness that Catholics can offer to the world in this difficult moment is to be present: it is the strongest witness possible. (Dn. T. Flanigan).

Just for the now, the door might still be closed, but the door of our hearts is open to each other for we hold the key. This moment brings us closer beyond words. When He closes the door, He still opens the window. 1 Corinthians 16:9-10 “There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me. When Timothy comes, don’t intimidate him. He is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am.” Continue to knock and He will open. Let us not grieve when we are distant apart (from each other, our Church, work, and friends). As long we know nothing will ever separate us from the love of God; grieve only when it opens and you find each one no longer a friend, but a stranger.