FOOD IN A PANDEMIC

Daniel Bonnell

What seems like eons ago, I started to present excerpts from our Seattle Archbishop’s pastoral letter given to us April 29 of this year.  No one knew then, how our lives would be changed by this virus, which seems to be roaming around like a lion seeking whom it can devour. 

Many are still not able to attend Mass, either because the liturgy has been suspended again, or because there is little room for all at the Masses, or simply because, as in the case of the elderly, they are afraid of contagion.

People write daily for prayers, for jobs, for their children, and sometimes for the seemingly hopelessness of our world today. But what a time to give ourselves to the redemptive work of Christ, to find our place in salvation history.  We are all guilty of telling the Lord we will carry our cross, we will offer up whatever He asks of us, but when the shit hits the fan- and it can be that bad- we moan and groan and wander around like lost children.

‘When it comes to the liturgy, it is not enough simply to be present, because we are not to be “silent spectators” or consumers, but devout collaborators with Christ in the holy work of redemption. Our active participation in the liturgy is a reflection of our active participation in the mission of Christ. Gathering time and again to celebrate the liturgy, we experience and participate in Christ’s self-offering in the Eucharist. And even as we share in the fruits of his sacrificial love, we are called to make that love the model of our own lives: We are called to offer ourselves for others. The liturgy is not only the model for our lives, but forms us to live our day-to-day lives with this same sacrificial love of Christ.”

Great food for thought, as this pandemic goes on and on and people become more and more restless and careless or fearful. I spoke with a priest recently who said that of the 800+ regulars who attended Sunday Mass before the pandemic, only about 250 fill four Masses.  Fear yes, and also a complacency that they can continue to stream Mass. So much easier and with little effort.  But what of the Eucharist?  

When our Archbishop has asked us to focus the year 2020-2021 on the Eucharist, I am sure he never had a clue how our lives would be changed- and how the loss of the Body and Blood of Christ would effect us.  The Church has been going through some major changes in the past five to ten years, but suddenly it is as if the Holy Spirit is sweeping through to cleanse even more. How many  of the faithful will remain? 

“The Eucharist strengthens our interior life, while transporting us beyond ourselves into a profound relationship with the Lord. This heavenly food fortifies us for this earthly pilgrimage until we find our true home in heaven. I recently received a lovely note from one of our women religious who made this concise observation: “Our home is not here. Our home is in heaven, and heaven is found in the Eucharist.” There is nothing else like the Eucharist on earth: Comparisons cannot do it justice! This is food and drink, but different from any other food and drink. This is a shared meal, but different from any other meal. In the Eucharist, God takes the humblest of our earthly offerings — bread and wine — and transforms them into something extraordinary, the very Body and Blood of Christ. In the presence of this awesome mystery, all we can do is humbly approach the Lord to receive what He desires to give us.”

Food for thought?