The last Mass

Last night we went to Vigil Mass at one of our two "home" parishes. We were blessed that, much to our surprise, the celebrant was our beloved priest, Fr. Robin. Fr. Robin has been with us an extremely long time...

Yes, that's Silvana...it's been that long!

It was an especially blessed evening because the homily was about the woman at the well. How our lives should be only about seeking that Living Water that will forever quench our thirst and keep us for Eternal Life. "After all," Father said, "our goal is to get to Heaven...that's why we're here. That's what we should always be doing; trying to get to heaven."

It's remarkable because this man turned 80-years-old in December and because he struggles with respiratory issues. During a weekend in which the faithful were dispensed from Sunday Obligation (if they were afraid to venture out because of the new coronavirus) this old, unhealthy priest stood before us, leading us to Heaven. There have been calls by priests to "stay away" from Mass (one said, if he were us, he wouldn't attend...huh? I guess it's good you're not us!). How wonderful to see this priest living his faith and being such an example to those of us in the pews.

I hear you - by going to Mass, we are responsible for someone's death! Seriously? Why is that only the cry about Mass? No one says that if you're going to the movies or the mall or the grocery store. There has been a direct assault on the Church and sadly, as the recent letter from the Pope stated, many priests are acting more like businessmen than priests. It's been a sad display to me but it's certainly isolated the priests who are more about self-protection and less about faith and serving the people. Perhaps out of altruism and perhaps not but true colors have shone through.

So, we're here. All Masses have been canceled for the foreseeable future. Sacraments? They'll get back to us. It's going to be a difficult time. I am grateful that our local church remains open so that we can at least visit Jesus in the Tabernacle and pray for an end to this virus and the surrounding hysteria.

I feel sorrow for the people who have died from this illness and more sorrow for those who have forgotten that we can do all we can do but, ultimately, if you want a miraculous healing, it's not going to come from human hands. Only He can bring that about. Lord, make haste to help us!

We are blessed.