May God Bless and Keep Us All - Guest Column

It’s been quite a year, hasn’t it? We’ve seen this illness sicken many, some of whom had to be hospitalized for weeks or months, and some of whom died. We’ve seen businesses close, and jobs lost. Daily life has been turned upside down as many people are now working from home, or have children participating in remote learning. Isolation and forced separation are leaving many lonely and depressed, and the fear and stress of these days is causing inordinate despair. The past year seems to have been more about existence than living. Is this the “new normal” we’re expected to accept?

As a software engineer who has worked from home for years, my daily routine has gone unchanged. I have no right to complain. But I have felt the effects of the pandemic in other ways. In my concern for friends who have fallen ill with this disease. In my sadness for my children who have missed having normal senior year activities, like graduation or prom. In my frustration at not being able to visit with my mother after her heart surgery. And in my anger when Masses had to be cancelled. Yet, as I felt all these emotions, I was never scared.

I trusted in Jesus. There are many who would scoff at this notion, asking “where is God in all of this madness?!?”. This type of remark always makes me think of the passage in the Gospel where the apostles are with Jesus in a boat during a storm. You know the scene… the boat is taking on water and in danger of capsizing. Jesus is in the bow of the boat, seemingly oblivious to the calamity around Him. The apostles rouse Him asking if He even cares that they might die. Jesus rises and calms the storm with His word. We all have storms raging around us, internal and external. Some are fierce and some are little. Jesus isn’t asleep and unaware of what’s going on, as we might assume on the surface. He is there, waiting for us to ask Him for help. All we need to do is ask! What we get isn’t always what we want and we don’t always notice His response, but it is always what we need.

I am extremely thankful that shortly after Masses were cancelled, Father Joe and Father Lambert opened our parishes for Adoration and prayer. They ensured that there would be a plan in place so that when Masses became available again, we could safely attend. I realized during this difficult time just how much the Eucharist sustains me. When I’m frustrated or upset about things happening in the world, the Eucharist gives me strength and encouragement. When I’m tired mentally, physically or spiritually, it is the Eucharist that energizes me. And when I’m down, it is Jesus in the Eucharist who comforts me. The effects of either being before the Eucharist or receiving Jesus in the Eucharist stay with me far longer than the time I’m at church. By no means will the Eucharist make feelings of frustration or anger or sadness go away – we are human after all. But Jesus in the Eucharist cuts the edge of these feelings, and helps me recognize how I feel and remember He is there to help me navigate the storm.

This is the only “new normal” I hope to keep with me…… after this is over. And if you are feeling sad, lonely, frustrated, anxious, or angry, I hope that God may bless you with this same “new normal” as well.

May God bless and keep us all.